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Shop Rat Foundation Inc

EIN 38-3700259 · Pleasant Lake, MI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IGNITE INTEREST IN MANUFACTURING AND PROFESSIONAL TRADES CAREERS AMONG OUR NATION'S YOUTH THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL TOOLS, CURRICULUM AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, COMPANIES AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$394,586
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
30.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
8
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$89,687, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 381% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $265,945 spent. THE KEYSTONE PROJECT OF THE SHOP RAT FOUNDATION IS THE SHOP RAT EDUCATION PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM CURRENTLY ENCOMPASSES INTRODUCTORY THROUGH ADVANCED LEVEL CURRICULUM OFFERINGS, SERVING YOUTH ENROLLED IN GRADES 6-12. THE PROGRAM REACHES APPROXIMATELY 3,000 YOUTH ANNUALLY AND IS FACILITATED IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES WITHIN MICHIGAN. THE SHOP RAT EDUCATION PROGRAM IS COMPOSED OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR CLASSES AND SUMMER CAMPS, IN-SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAMMING AND ADDITIONAL EVENTS THAT SHOWCASE CAREERS FOCUSED ON CONSTRUCTION TRADES, ENGINEERING, PRECISION MACHINING AND WELDING, WHILE REINFORCING STUDENT UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION OF STEM SKILLS. A KEY ASPECT OF THE SHOP RAT EDUCATION PROGRAM CURRICULUM IS AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO CAREER EXPLORATION. THE SHOP RAT FOUNDATION FACILITATES CLASSES WITHIN LOCAL MANUFACTURING FACILITIES FOR YOUTH, AS WELL AS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORTS SUCH AS MANUFACTURING DAY TOURS. THE SHOP RAT FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO GROW ITS FREE, CAREER EXPLORATION FOCUSED MOBILE APPLICATION CALLED ON THE JOB 360, ENABLING STUDENTS TO VIRTUALLY TOUR MANUFACTURING FACILITIES AND GAIN FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE REGARDING CAREERS WITHIN THE FIELD. THE KEYSTONE PROJECT OF THE SHOP RAT FOUNDATION IS THE SHOP RAT EDUCATION PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM CURRENTLY ENCOMPASSES INTRODUCTORY THROUGH ADVANCED LEVEL CURRICULUM OFFERINGS, SERVING YOUTH ENROLLED IN GRADES 6-12. THE PROGRAM REACHES APPROXIMATELY 3,000 YOUTH ANNUALLY AND IS FACILITATED IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES WITHIN MICHIGAN. THE SHOP RAT EDUCATION PROGRAM IS COMPOSED OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR CLASSES AND SUMMER CAMPS, IN-SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAMMING AND ADDITIONAL EVENTS THAT SHOWCASE CAREERS FOCUSED ON CONSTRUCTION TRADES, ENGINEERING, PRECISION MACHINING AND WELDING, WHILE REINFORCING STUDENT UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION OF STEM SKILLS. A KEY ASPECT OF THE SHOP RAT EDUCATION PROGRAM CURRICULUM IS AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO CAREER EXPLORATION. THE SHOP RAT FOUNDATION FACILITATES CLASSES WITHIN LOCAL MANUFACTURING FACILITIES FOR YOUTH, AS WELL AS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORTS SUCH AS MANUFACTURING DAY TOURS. THE SHOP RAT FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO GROW ITS FREE, CAREER EXPLORATION FOCUSED MOBILE APPLICATION CALLED ON THE JOB 360, ENABLING STUDENTS TO VIRTUALLY TOUR MANUFACTURING FACILITIES AND GAIN FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE REGARDING CAREERS WITHIN THE FIELD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2006.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.