Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Redemption Foundation

EIN 85-2148960 · Lansing, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ADVERSE SOCIETAL IMPACTS STEMMING FROM THE HISTORIC STATE AND FEDERAL CRIMINALIZATION OF CANNABIS USE, POSSESSION, PRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION AND PROVIDE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINALIZATION OF CANNABIS USE, POSSESSION, PRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION. TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY SERVED AND TO PROMOTE EDUCATION AND SUCH OTHER ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS INCIDENTAL TO, SUPPORTIVE OF, AND IN FURTHERANCE OF, THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE EDUCATIONAL, CHARITABLE, AND SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION. TO DO SUCH THINGS AND TO PERFORM SUCH ACTS TO ACCOMPLISH ITS PURPOSES AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION MAY DETERMINE TO BE APPROPRIATE AND AS ARE NOT FORBIDDEN BY SECTIONS 501(C)(3) OF THE CODE, WITH ALL THE POWER CONFERRED ON NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Income
$248,641
Spending
$210,716
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 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.

  • 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. $172,096 spent. THE REDEMPTION FOUNDATION SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM BY PROVIDING MUTUAL AID AND PROGRAMMING THAT HELPS THEM REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY, SEEK REDEMPTION, AND IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. THE REDEMPTION FOUNDATION WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE OVER $91,000 IN DIRECT SUPPORT VIA OUR COMMISSARY PROGRAM AND $48,000 IN OUR RICK THOMPSON MEMORIAL GRANT.

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 August 2021.

    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.