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Amplify Gr

EIN 82-4122848 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEIGHBORS, LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AGR SEEKS TO WIDEN PATHWAYS SO THAT ALL RESIDENTS HAVE A GREATER OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AND BENEFIT FROM COMMUNITY GROWTH INCLUDING PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT HOLISTIC REVITALIZATION OF NEIGHBORHOODS IN AND AROUND GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN BY COORDINATING AND INVESTING IN ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE LOW AND MIXED-INCOME HOUSING; FOSTERING CRADLE-TO-CAREER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES; REINVIGORATING NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIES THROUGH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, LOCAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT; AND ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS EFFORTS; AND BY ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE FOREGOING.

Income
$12.4 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
-5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$95,590, executive director

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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 80% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 143% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $1.6 million spent. IN THE PURPOSE BUILT COMMUNITIES NETWORK, AMPLIFY GR IS A COMMUNITY QUARTERBACK ORGANIZATION, MEANING WE ALIGN PARTNERS AND SET STRATEGIES FOR THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT EFFORT BASED ON THE COMMUNITY'S VISION. IN THIS ROLE, WE FACILITATE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: AMPLIFY NEIGHBOR IDEAS THROUGH OUR AMP THE GOOD GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH SUPPORTS NEIGHBOR-LED INITIATIVES AND PROJECTS THAT BUILD COMMUNITY. AGR ALSO SUPPORTS NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS AND PLACE ACTIVATION TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL CAPITAL. ATTRACTING JOBS AND BUILDING BUSINESS OWNERSHIP THROUGH THE BUSINESS STRONG GRANT PROGRAM TO ASSIST BUSINESSES WITH INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL COACHING. INCUBATOR SPACES FOR MAKERS AND SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD-BASED FOOD BUSINESSES TO START AND GROW ON THEIR BUSINESS JOURNEYS ARE ONLINE. INNOVATION STRONG FOCUSES ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYEE SUPPORTS WITH LOCAL AND SMALL BUSINESSES. AGR INCREASES THE LOVE OF LEARNING WITH OUTBRIDGE GRANTS, WHICH PROVIDE DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN THE SERVICE AREA TO INVEST IN ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN. THE ORGANIZATION LEVERAGES PARTNERSHIPS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD, K-12, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING WORKING TO BRING A NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN 2024. THE 45,000-SQUARE-FOOT COMMUNITY HUB CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION WILL SUPPORT THE EARLY LEARNING CENTER, A CLINIC, AND AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES. AMPLIFY GR AIMS TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND HOUSING OPTIONS AND SUPPORT WEALTH CREATION THROUGH HOME OWNERSHIP. THE NEIGHBORHOOD STRONG PROGRAM HELPS NEIGHBORS MAKE NEEDED REPAIRS AND ENHANCEMENTS TO THEIR HOMES, INCREASING AFFORDABILITY, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

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 August 2019.

    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.