Dream Centers of Michigan
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Volunteer driven, non-profit organization serving the homeless, low income, at-risk youth and struggling families by providing resources and opportunities to help them realize their dream of living a self-sufficient life.
- Income
- $590,125
- Spending
- $726,212
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 10.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $64,174, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 46% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 4 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 April 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 (5)
- $407,956 spent. Housing Program: The Housing Program included two core components: Men's Residential Supportive Housing and Community Development Housing. Through the Men's Residential Program, 11 adult males experiencing housing instability successfully transitioned into independent living. Participants received case management, life skills support, and employment coaching. In the Community Development Housing program, Dream Centers supported three, female led households in maintaining stable housing. During the fiscal year, 100% of residents maintained fulltime employment, and 60% of rental payments were received on time, and tenants engaged in quarterly check-ins and property maintenance to promote long-term housing success.
- $125,721 spent. Community Engagement: Dream Centers of Michigan continued to demonstrate its commitment to holistic community care through year-round outreach and seasonal support initiatives. Over 100 families received Bags of Hope, each filled with approximately $50 worth of groceries to address short-term food insecurity. During the Thanksgiving season, more than 1,200 Thanksgiving Boxes-each providing enough food to feed a family of six-were distributed in partnership with local churches, donors, and volunteers. In preparation for the school year, the organization provided 800 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in the Pontiac community, helping alleviate financial stress for families and setting students up for academic success. These initiatives reflect Dream Centers' mission to bring practical hope and build trust with residents through compassionate, consistent engagement.
- $53,495 spent. Education Program: Dream Centers of Michigan provided high-quality, community based out-of-school-time programming for elementary-age students in Pontiac through its Kids Club Afterschool and Summer Edition programs. The initiative supported academic enrichment, social-emotional development, and literacy improvement for 35 children during the school year and 135 during summer session programming. The program included meals, recreational activities, math and reading instruction in partnership with local schools and volunteers.
- $5,196 spent. Economic Empowerment Program: Dream Centers of Michigan advanced its Economic Empowerment pillar by offering financial coaching, job readiness training, and access to employment support to residents navigating poverty. Programming included one on one and workshops on credit building, budgeting, and employment preparation. Partnerships were strengthened with local businesses to explore pathways toward workforce integration and long-term economic sustainability. Efforts were also made to assess social enterprise opportunities aligned with Dream Centers' mission and neighborhood revitalization goals.
- (Expenses $ 5,196 including grants of $) Economic Empowerment Program: Dream Centers of Michigan advanced its Economic Empowerment pillar by offering financial coaching, job readiness training, and access to employment support to residents navigating poverty. Programming included one on one and workshops on credit building, budgeting, and employment preparation. Partnerships were strengthened with local businesses to explore pathways toward workforce integration and long-term economic sustainability. Efforts were also made to assess social enterprise opportunities aligned with Dream Centers' mission and neighborhood revitalization goals.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending April 2026.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.