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Lifelab Kids Foundation

EIN 81-1334117 · Ferndale, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LIFELAB KIDS FOUNDATION HELPS STUDENTS OF ALL ABILITIES TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE THEIR UNIQUE, TRUE POTENTIAL THROUGH A BLEND OF EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS, THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES, AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-9.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
54
Volunteers
6

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 75% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $2.1 million spent. IN 2025, LIFELAB KIDS ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN BOTH PROGRAM INNOVATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY. WE EXPANDED OUR TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM INTO A COMPREHENSIVE STEM CURRICULUM, INTRODUCING ROBOTICS, CODING, ENGINEERING, AND HANDS-ON SCIENCE ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE PROBLEM-SOLVING, COMMUNICATION, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING, AND COLLABORATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THESE ENGAGING, INTEREST- BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER MEANINGFUL, CHILD-LED THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCES WHILE PREPARING PARTICIPANTS WITH SKILLS THAT SUPPORT FUTURE ACADEMIC, VOCATIONAL, AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SUCCESS. IN ADDITION TO PROGRAM EXPANSION, LIFELAB KIDS MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS ALL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THROUGH STRATEGIC OPERATIONAL PLANNING, IMPROVED RESOURCE ALLOCATION, AND A FOCUS ON SERVICE EFFICIENCY, WE STRENGTHENED THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF OUR ORGANIZATION WHILE MAINTAINING HIGH-QUALITY CLINICAL CARE. THESE EFFORTS HAVE POSITIONED LIFELAB KIDS TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING, EXPANDING ACCESS TO SERVICES, AND ENSURING LONG-TERM STABILITY FOR THE CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. IN 2025, LIFELAB KIDS ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN BOTH PROGRAM INNOVATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY. WE EXPANDED OUR TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM INTO A COMPREHENSIVE STEM CURRICULUM, INTRODUCING ROBOTICS, CODING, ENGINEERING, AND HANDS-ON SCIENCE ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE PROBLEM-SOLVING, COMMUNICATION, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING, AND COLLABORATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THESE ENGAGING, INTEREST- BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER MEANINGFUL, CHILD-LED THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCES WHILE PREPARING PARTICIPANTS WITH SKILLS THAT SUPPORT FUTURE ACADEMIC, VOCATIONAL, AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SUCCESS. IN ADDITION TO PROGRAM EXPANSION, LIFELAB KIDS MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS ALL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THROUGH STRATEGIC OPERATIONAL PLANNING, IMPROVED RESOURCE ALLOCATION, AND A FOCUS ON SERVICE EFFICIENCY, WE STRENGTHENED THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF OUR ORGANIZATION WHILE MAINTAINING HIGH-QUALITY CLINICAL CARE. THESE EFFORTS HAVE POSITIONED LIFELAB KIDS TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING, EXPANDING ACCESS TO SERVICES, AND ENSURING LONG-TERM STABILITY FOR THE CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 October 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 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.