Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Cares of Farmington Hills Inc

EIN 82-2881774 · Farmingtn Hls, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT ARE IN NEED OF EVERYDAY NECESSITIES DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FINANCIAL RESOURCES OR FAMILY INSTABILITY. C.A.R.E.S. WILL OFFER FOOD, CLOTHING, JOB EDUCATION AND TRAINING, AND ACCESS TO OTHER SUPPORT ACTIVITES.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
5
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$48,000, executive director

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

Financial health

Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 18 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

    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

    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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (3)
  1. $857,550 spent. THE PANTRY PROVIDES EMERGENCY AND SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD ASSISTANCE TO OVER EIGHT HUNDRED FAMILIES EACH MONTH. WE DISTRIBUTE FOOD PURCHASED FROM GLEANERS FOOD BANK, TEFAP (THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM) ALONG WITH OTHER COMMODITIES AND DONATED ITEMS FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS. SUBURBAN HUNGER IS A GROWING CONCERN, AND CARES IS WORKING TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP.THESE PRODUCTS INCLUDE FRESH PRODUCE, MEATS, DAIRY, NON-PERISHABLES ITEMS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS. CARES GUESTS SELECT FOOD AND OTHER ITEMS BASED ON FAMILY SIZE, DIETARY NEEDS, AND AVAILABILITY. EACH GUEST SHOPS FOR THEMSELVES AND HAS A CHOICE TO PICK ITEMS THAT FIT THEIR FAMILY BEST.
  2. $83,326 spent. THE CARES MARKET IS A NEIGHBORHOOD GROCERY STORE OPERATING ON A NONPROFIT ENTERPRISE MODEL. IT OFFERS AFFORDABLE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND OTHER NECESSARY ITEMS TO THE PUBLIC, WITH ALL NET PROCEEDS DIRECTLY SUPPORTING THE CARES NONPROFIT FREE FOOD PANTRY. THE MARKET IMPROVES LOCAL FOOD ACCESS WHILE GENERATING REVENUE TO SUSTAIN AND HELP MAINTAIN CARES' CORE SERVICES. IT ALSO PROMOTES DIGNITY AND CHOICE BY ALLOWING CUSTOMERS, ESPECIALLY PANTRY GUESTS WITH LIMITED RESOURCES, TO SHOP IN A TYPICAL RETAIL ENVIRONMENT.
  3. $67,036 spent. CARES CONNECTS GUESTS TO WRAPAROUND SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGH ITS ON-SITE NAVIGATION CENTER AND ADVOCACY TEAM. SERVICES INCLUDE UTILITY SHUTOFF PREVENTION, VETERANS' SUPPORT HOME REPAIR SERVICES, WIC REFERRALS, AA PROGRAMS, TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, AND HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE. CARES COLLABORATES WITH OVER A DOZEN LOCAL AGENCIES AND PARTNERS TO ADDRESS UNDERLYING CAUSES OF POVERTY AND INSTABILITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on January 15, 2025 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on January 15, 2025.

    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 August 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 2025.

    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.