Xavier Degroat Autism Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
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 CREATE AND PROMOTE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM THROUGH ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, AND HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS.
- Income
- $195,844
- Spending
- $159,693
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 3
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
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (2)
- $95,003 spent. OPERATED A MUSEUM DURING THE YEAR WHICH SUPPORTS AUTISM AWARENESS AND EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE HISTORY OF AUTISM WHILE PROVIDING A SENSORY-FRIENDLY LEARNING ATMOSPHERE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM. THE MUSEUM MOVED LOCATION TO FRANKENMUTH, MI AND APPROXIMATELY 4,000 INDIVIDUALS VISITED THE MUSEUM IN 2024. INCREASED VISITS FROM SCHOOL GROUPS K-12 IN 2024 WITH FOUR SCHOOL GROUPS VISITING THE MUSEUM. OVER 100 SENSORY KITS WERE PROVIDED TO SCHOOLS, PUBLIC FACILITIES, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, ETC. OPENED A COMMUNICATION BOARD IN A LANSING ALL-INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND. BUILT A COMMUNICATION BOARD THAT SERVES OVER 10,000 INDIVIDUAL VISITORS ANNUALLY AT THE VISITORS' BUREAU IN FRANKENMUTH. DONATED SENSORY-FRIENDLY TOYS TO TOYS FOR TOTS AND FACILITATED DONATIONS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL VISITORS.
- $29,709 spent. TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY TO BENEFIT THOSE WITH AUTISM. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES STATE-WIDE, WITH A FOCUS ON THE GREAT LAKES BAY REGION. 400 EMPLOYEES WERE TRAINED AT A MAJOR CREDIT UNION.
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
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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 2018.
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 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.