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Detroit Childrens Fund

EIN 46-2499615 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE DETROIT CHILDREN'S FUND IS TO MAKE HIGH-POTENTIAL INVESTMENTS TO EXPAND SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS, GREATLY IMPROVE LOWER PERFORMING SCHOOLS, AND DISCOVER AND DEVELOP TALENTED EDUCATORS SO THAT EVERY CHILD IN DETROIT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$5.6 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
9.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
7
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$308,880, partner

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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (9)
  1. $2.6 million spent. MULTIPLE COMPONENTS THAT TOGETHER WILL WORK TO ADDRESS STUDENTS NEEDS FOR VITAL RESOURCES ESSENTIAL TO THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN AND THRIVE. THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE LEARNING OUTCOMES AT NEW PARADIGM GLAZER ACADEMY AND NEW PARADIGM COLLEGE PREP BY ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE STUDENT. (EPIC)
  2. $1.5 million spent. SUPPORT FOR NEW LEADERS FOR ACADEMIC YEARS 2024-2026,THE DPSCD DISTRICT EXECUTIVE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS, SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORS, I.E., ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS, AND SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO EFFECTIVELY COACH AND SUPPORT DATA-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP PRACTICES THAT WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION OFFERED TO STUDENTS IN CLASSROOMS SO THEY ACHIEVE AGGRESSIVE ACADEMIC GAINS IN ELA AND MATH.
  3. $187,750 spent. TEACHER RETENTION GOAL FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR IS TO RETAIN 90% OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEACHERS. BY PROVIDING FALL AND SPRING RETENTION BONUSES, AIMS TO RETAIN, MOTIVATE AND KEEP THOSE TEACHERS WHO ARE EFFECTIVE AND COMMITTED. THE PROVISION OF BONUSES TO SCHOOL STAFF CAN HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON TALENT RETENTION RATES, SUCH AS INCREASING STAFF SATISFACTION AND MORALE, STRONGER SCHOOL CLIMATE AND CULTURE, ENHANCED PROFESSIONALISM, AND IMPROVED STUDENT OUTCOMES.
  4. $229,345 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
  5. $135,211 spent. PERSONAL LAPTOPS FOR A TOTAL OF 180 SCHOLARS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 23-24 AND 24-25 AND A SENIOR DEFENSE PROJECT COURSE WHICH INTEGRATES THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS AND THE COLLEGE BOUND SCHOLARS CURRICULUM.
  6. $10,750 spent. COMPACT PROGRAM WORK WITH COLLEGE-GOING EXPERTS AND THE CITY'S LEADING CHARTER HIGH SCHOOLS, WILL AIM TO SIGNIFICANTLY TRANSFORM GRADUATION RATES, COLLEGE PERSISTENCE RATES AND COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES FOR OVER 2,000 STUDENTS EACH YEAR IN DETROIT. BY WORKING TOGETHER AND ACHIEVING SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED OUTCOMES, THESE FOUR CHARTERS CAN SET A NEW "BAR" FOR QUALITY FOR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE CITY AND SERVE AS EXEMPLARS FOR SCHOOLS THAT WANT TO LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR OUTCOMES MORE QUICKLY.
  7. (Expenses $ 229,345 including grants of $) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
  8. (Expenses $ 135,211 including grants of $ 135,211) PERSONAL LAPTOPS FOR A TOTAL OF 180 SCHOLARS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 23-24 AND 24-25 AND A SENIOR DEFENSE PROJECT COURSE WHICH INTEGRATES THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS AND THE COLLEGE BOUND SCHOLARS CURRICULUM.
  9. (Expenses $ 10,750 including grants of $ 10,750) COMPACT PROGRAM WORK WITH COLLEGE-GOING EXPERTS AND THE CITY'S LEADING CHARTER HIGH SCHOOLS, WILL AIM TO SIGNIFICANTLY TRANSFORM GRADUATION RATES, COLLEGE PERSISTENCE RATES AND COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES FOR OVER 2,000 STUDENTS EACH YEAR IN DETROIT. BY WORKING TOGETHER AND ACHIEVING SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED OUTCOMES, THESE FOUR CHARTERS CAN SET A NEW "BAR" FOR QUALITY FOR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE CITY AND SERVE AS EXEMPLARS FOR SCHOOLS THAT WANT TO LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR OUTCOMES MORE QUICKLY.

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 November 6, 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 November 2013.

    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 November 4, 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.