Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Truenorth Community Services

EIN 38-6158533 · Fremont, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TRUENORTH COMMUNITY SERVICES EMPOWER PEOPLE AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY TO INSPIRE HOPE AND BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE. TRUENORTH COMMUNITY SERVICES WILL CONTINUALLY IMPROVE A FLUID AND FLEXIBLE ARRAY OF SERVICES TO ENSURE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE PROSPEROUS DESTINATIONS FOR ALL THEIR MEMBERS.

Income
$23.8 million
Spending
$23.6 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 65%
Employees
265
Volunteers
1,112
Highest pay
$207,587, chief executive officer/ p

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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 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 (4)
  1. $12.3 million spent. THE TRUENORTH EMPOWER PROGRAM PROVIDES HEAT AND ENERGY ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED WITH A GRANT FROM THE STATE OF MICHIGAN THROUGH MICHIGAN AGENCY FOR ENERGY, CONSUMERS ENERGY AND DTE. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE SET BY THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. IN ADDITION TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, EMPOWER ALSO PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES DESIGNED TO EDUCATE FAMILIES ABOUT ENERGY OPTIMIZATION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE RELIANCE ON STATE ASSISTANCE.
  2. $6.0 million spent. TRUENORTH'S HOUSING AND FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROVIDES HOUSING, HOMELESS PREVENTION, FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, CHILDREN'S SERVICES, AND HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS. A CONTINUUM OF CARE PLAN IS ESTABLISHED FOR EACH FAMILY WHICH FOCUSES ON ESTABLISHING ATTAINABLE GOALS AND PROVIDING CASE MANAGMENT TO ASSURE OUR FAMILIES ARE MOVING TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND A STABLE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT. OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE FOCUSED ON A HAND UP NOT A HAND OUT AND WORKING TO ENSURE THAT WE IMPROVE LIVES FOR A LIFETIME.
  3. $1.7 million spent. 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNER CENTERS - OUR SCHOOL-BASED OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS PROVIDE AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER-TIME PROGRAMS FOR ALL CHILDREN WITHIN THE WALKERVILLE, HART ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS, MUSKEGON HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, BALDWIN SCHOOLS, HOLTON SCHOOLS, HESPERIA ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS, AND WHITE CLOUD ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE FUNDED BY 21ST CENTURY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM GRANT. THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE ENTITLED FOCUS (FOR OUR CHILDREN'S ULTIMATE SUCCESS). ACTIVITIES FOCUS ON HOMEWORK HELP, ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT, HEALTHY EATING, LIFE-LONG LEARNING SKILLS, ACADEMIC REMEDIATION AND DROPOUT PREVENTION, DISGUISED LEARNING, AND ADVENTURED BASED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.
  4. $2.0 million spent. TRUENORTH'S YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, CULTURAL ENRICHMENT, AND CAMP NEWAYGO DEPARTMENTS - PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH PROGRAMS INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL, EXPERIENTIAL, AND DEVELOPMENTAL AREAS. TRUEMENTORS PROVIDES COMMUNITY BASED AND SITE BASED MENTORING FOR AT RISK YOUTH. CAMP NEWAYGO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS TO EXPERIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL, AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS.COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT - PROVIDES VOLUNTEER SERVICES FOR NEWAYGO COUNTY RESIDENTS.

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 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 1968.

    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.