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EIN 47-3537426 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ARE CREATING A DETROIT WHERE EVERY STUDENT GRADUATES READY TO BECOME A FULLY ENGAGED PARTICIPANT IN THE WORLD, EQUIPPED WITH THE CHARACTER AND THE CAPACITY TO NEGOTIATE HIS/HER ENVIRONMENT AND CHANGE IT FOR THE BETTER.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
17.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
25
Volunteers
4,597
Highest pay
$80,485, executive di

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 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 65% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $1.5 million spent. THE MICHIGAN EDUCATION JUSTICE COALITION HELD 10 COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ON SCHOOL FUNDING IN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO LISTEN TO COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS' CURRENT SCHOOL FUNDING PRIORITIES AND TO EDUCATE CITIZENS ABOUT HOW SCHOOL FUNDING WORKS. MEJC TRAINED MORE THAN 50 PARENTS ON THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET PROCESS IN OVER 20 SCHOOL DISTRICTS. MEJC ALSO HELPED OVER 100 ORGANIZERS, PARENTS, AND CAREGIVERS SPEAK TO ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ADVOCATE FOR INCREASED AND EQUITABLE SCHOOL FUNDING AT THE STATE LEVEL.
  2. $160,980 spent. YOC: 482FORWARD'S YOUTH ORGANIZING COLLECTIVE EXPANDED ITS BASE BY ADDING THREE NEW ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS. THE YOC ALSO LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN FOR BETTER SCHOOL FACILITIES IN DETROIT AND STATEWIDE.
  3. $12,637 spent. NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZING: 482FORWARD'S NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZING WORK IN 2023 FOCUSED ON REBUILDING OUR BASE AND DEEPLY TRAINING OUR ORGANIZERS NETWORK- WIDE FOLLOWING THE COVID PANDEMIC. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A MIDWEST ACADEMY, WE TRAINED 40 ORGANIZERS IN DETROIT AND ACROSS THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. AS A RESULT, OUR ORGANIZERS WERE ABLE TO GROW OUR BASE IN DETROIT BY 100 NEW LEADERS.

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 2024.

    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 2016.

    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.