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Michigan Crop Improvement Association

EIN 38-6093249 · Lansing, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ASSIST THE MICHIGAN SEED INDUSTRY BY PROVIDING: GENETIC, DISEASE, AGRONOMIC, AND MARKETING INFORMATION, THROUGH FOUNDATION SEED PRODUCTION, FIELD INSPECTION, AND LAB TESTING, TO FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF SEED OR PLANT PRODUCTS IN LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
15 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
66
Volunteers
2
Highest pay
$188,114, manager

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    9 of 15

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

  • 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, 2025, 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 (4)
  1. $941,988 spent. PURCHASE AND CERTIFICATION OF FOUNDATION SEED FOR THE ASSOCIATION'S MEMBERS (77 MEMBERS, INCLUDING 26 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS). 670,848 BUSHELS WERE CERTIFIED IN 2025.
  2. $749,027 spent. SEED TESTING AND CERTIFICATION FOR THE ASSOCIATION'S MEMBERS (77 MEMBERS, INCLUDING 26 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS). 97,224 ACRES WERE INSPECTED FOR MEMBERS IN 2025 AND APPROXIMATELY 6,299 LAB TESTS WERE PERFORMED.
  3. $22,000 spent. EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS IN THE CROP AND SOIL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY. 12 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED, INCLUDING 10 SCHOLARSHIPS TO MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND 2 SCOTT JUDD SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATING MASON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO WILL BE ATTENDING MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.
  4. $17,550 spent. VARIETY DEVELOPMENT

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 June 1982.

    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.