Foundation for Detroits Future
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FOUNDATION FOR DETROIT'S FUTURE (FDF) SHALL WORK TO LESSEN THE BURDENS OF GOVERNMENT, COMBAT COMMUNITY DETERIORATION, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF DETROIT THROUGH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONDUCTING ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS, AND PROVIDING SUPPORT AND FUNDING TO GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHERS, TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE CITY OF DETROIT'S RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE, FOSTER AND PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AND FISCAL HEALTH OF THE CITY OF DETROIT AND ENABLE THE CITY OF DETROIT TO FULFILL ITS MUNICIPAL, FINANCIAL AND CIVIC OBLIGATIONS. THE FDF SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (CFSEM) BY SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE WORK FURTHERS CFSEM'S MISSION. THE CFSEM'S MISSION IS TO BUILD THE RESOURCES, RELATIONSHIPS AND EXPERTISE REQUIRED TO EXPAND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN TO MAKE IT A DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY FOR ALL RESIDENTS, TODAY AND TOMORROW.
- Income
- $22.5 million
- Spending
- $18.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 30.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 4
- Highest pay
- $719,647, president/secretary
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 30.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $18.9 million spent. SUPPORT OF FDF'S ROLE TO HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN PRIMARILY AS THE CHARITABLE ENTITY THAT MANAGES THE DIA SETTLEMENT (COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "GRAND BARGAIN") APPROVED AS PART OF THE PLAN OF ADJUSTMENT THAT CONCLUDED THE BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY OF DETROIT. SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, ON THE CLOSING DATE (2014) AND ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THEREAFTER COMMENCING IN 2016, PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE TO THE CITY SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF THAT SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.
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
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.