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Empowerment Plan

EIN 45-3265365 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPLOY AND EMPOWER UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS TO BREAK THE GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS BY PRODUCING A SLEEPING BAG COAT FOR THOSE IN NEED.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
90
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$175,851, founder and

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

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 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 March 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 (2)
  1. $3.2 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, CASE MANAGEMENT, RESOURCE NAVIGATION, AND EMPLOYMENT TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING OR AT IMMINENT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. DURING A TYPICAL WORK WEEK, FELLOWS SPEND APPROXIMATELY 60% OF PAID TIME DEDICATED TO COAT MANUFACTURING AND THE REMAINING 40% TO ON-SITE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES OFFERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THE ORGANIZATION'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SAW DEEPENING SUCCESS THIS YEAR AS 72 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
  2. $55,368 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PRODUCES AND DISTRIBUTES SLEEPING BAG COATS TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FROM THE HARSH ELEMENTS. LAST YEAR THE FELLOWS PRODUCED 10,237 SLEEPING BAG COATS AND DISTRIBUTED 9,644 COATS TO THOSE IN NEED ACROSS 143 ORGANIZATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 October 2012.

    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.