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Humans First Detroit

EIN 47-4688867 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CIVILLA IS A NONPROFIT DESIGN STUDIO DEDICATED TO CHANGING THE WAY OUR PUBLIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS WORK. OUR PROCESS IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN. WE COLLABORATE WITH LEADERS, LISTEN TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND LEARN FROM STAFF WITHIN INSTITUTIONS TO DESIGN EFFECTIVE SERVICES THAT BUILD A MORE BEAUTIFUL, CIVIL SOCIETY FOR ALL.

Income
$5.1 million
Spending
$5.7 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
20.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
23
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$382,300, ceo

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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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 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 (4)
  1. $1.0 million spent. WASHINGTON: CREATING AN INTEGRATED AND MORE HUMAN-CENTERED MODEL FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS DELIVERY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ENTERPRISE COALITION.
  2. $958,883 spent. CONNECTICUT: IMPROVING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS DELIVERY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, WITH A FOCUS ON SNAP, CASH ASSISTANCE, AND MAGI MEDICAID.
  3. $779,360 spent. MICHIGAN UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AGENCY: DEVELOPING A MODERN AND HUMAN-CENTERED PROCESS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS DELIVERY IN MICHIGN. CIVILLA PARTNERED WITH LEO TO RESEARCH AND DESIGN TOOLS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY NAVIGATORS AND SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS ACCESS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
  4. $1.5 million spent. CHILD WELFARE: CIVILLA PARTNERED WITH MDHHS AND CHANGE AND INNOVATION TO SUPPORTING THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MODERN COMPREHENSIVE CHILD WELFARE INFORMATION SYSTEM (CCWIS) TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR FRONTLINE STAFF AS WELL AS MICHIGAN'S CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES. PROJECT RESOURCE: CIVILLA IS PARTNERING WITH MDHHS TO DEVELOP DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ESA STAFF. THROUGH USER FEEDBACK, TECHNOLOGY OPTIMIZATION, AND SUSTAINABLE GOVERNANCE PROCESSES, THIS SYSTEM WILL HELP STAFF EFFICIENTLY ACCESS POLICY INFORMATION, BUSINESS PROCESSES, JOB AIDS, AND TRAINING MATERIALS.MI BRIDGES 3.0: CIVILLA IS PARTNERING WITH MDHHS TO ENHANCE THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MIBRIDGES PLATFORM'S CORE FUNCTIONALITY AND EXPAND ITS IMPACT FOR MICHIGAN RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS BY EXPLORING NEW CROSS-AGENCY INTEGRATIONS AND OTHER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES.NON-PARTISAN VOTER REGISTRATION: CIVILLA PARTNERED WITH THE U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION TO REDESIGN THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE NATIONAL MAIL VOTER REGISTRATION FORM (NVRF), WHICH IS THE NATIONWIDE FORM VOTERS IN ANY STATE CAN USE TO REGISTER TO VOTE. PRACTICA: DEVELOPING AND OPERATING AN ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAM FOR GOVERNMENT STAFF AND PARTNERS TO GROW THEIR CAPACITY IN HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN AND DELIVER IMPACT AT SCALE.OTHER: SPEAKING FEES & TRAININGS PERFORMED & OTHER GENERAL FUNDS

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 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 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 December 2015.

    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.