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Sparrow Foundation

EIN 38-6100687 · Lansing, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO OPERATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF AND TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THE NONPROFIT AND TAX-EXEMPT SUBSIDIARIES OF UMH- SPARROW HEALTH SYSTEM, A MICHIGAN NONPROFIT CORPORATION ("SOLE MEMBER"), AND ITS MISSION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING QUALITY, COMPASSIONATE CARE TO EVERYONE, EVERY TIME.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$4.8 million
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
-24.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
0
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$1.5 million, regional pre

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 28 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $2.3 million spent. AT THE UMH-SPARROW FOUNDATION, WE FOSTER AND CREATE STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THAT HELP UMH-SPARROW HEALTH SYSTEM UPHOLD ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL CARE CLOSE TO HOME, NO MATTER LIFES CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS, THE UMH-SPARROW FOUNDATION HAS INSPIRED PHILANTHROPY TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES. WITH CONTINUED GROWTH OF UMH-SPARROW TO BEST MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS, THE FOUNDATION HAS ALSO GROWN. WERE PROUD TO BE THE HUB OF CHARITABLE GIVING FOR UMH-SPARROW, WORKING WITH INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE DONORS WHO GIVE TO HELP MAKE VITAL INVESTMENTS IN FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION, PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT OUR PATIENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR TEAMS DELIVERING CARE ACROSS OUR HOSPITALS AND OTHER SITES OF CARE SPANNING THE REGION. IN 2025, FUNDING OF THESE NEEDS WAS OVER 2M. AT THE UMH-SPARROW FOUNDATION, WE FOSTER AND CREATE STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THAT HELP UMH-SPARROW HEALTH SYSTEM UPHOLD ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL CARE CLOSE TO HOME, NO MATTER LIFES CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS, THE UMH-SPARROW FOUNDATION HAS INSPIRED PHILANTHROPY TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES. WITH CONTINUED GROWTH OF UMH-SPARROW TO BEST MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS, THE FOUNDATION HAS ALSO GROWN. WERE PROUD TO BE THE HUB OF CHARITABLE GIVING FOR UMH-SPARROW, WORKING WITH INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE DONORS WHO GIVE TO HELP MAKE VITAL INVESTMENTS IN FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION, PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT OUR PATIENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR TEAMS DELIVERING CARE ACROSS OUR HOSPITALS AND OTHER SITES OF CARE SPANNING THE REGION. IN 2025, FUNDING OF THESE NEEDS WAS OVER 2M.
  2. $82,627 spent. THE HELPING HANDS FUND OF THE UMH-SPARROW FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO TO SUPPORT UMH-SPARROW CAREGIVERS IN CRISIS OR WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A CATASTROPHIC NEED. IN 2025, 114 REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT WERE FUNDED. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR COLLEAGUES - FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE HEROES THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES VIA THESE GRANTS AND ALLOCATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 May 1965.

    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.