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Devota Advocacy Services

EIN 86-3632213 · Fenton, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak21 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

Devota Advocacy Services DAS provides free tax preparation financial advocacy and housing stability support to low- and moderate-income Michigan residents. Through the IRS VITA program and year-round services DAS helps households file tax returns claim eligible credits resolve tax debt and prevent property tax foreclosure. By partnering with libraries senior centers and local governments DAS expands access to trusted financial support that increases income reduces financial stress and strengthens long-term household stability.

Income
$118,100
Spending
$110,883
Reserves
-2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Highest pay
$92,908, executive director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 21 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (housing, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 237% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 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 (2)
  1. $65,000 spent. Flagstar Bank Foundation Grant - Devota Advocacy Services DAS has helped hundreds of Michigan households achieve greater financial stability through free tax preparation and financial advocacy. DAS has returned hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax refunds and credits to residents helped families resolve multi-year tax issues and prevented property tax foreclosures through poverty exemptions and repayment plans. By partnering with local governments libraries and community organizations DAS continues to expand access to trusted financial support across Southeast Michigan.
  2. $45,000 spent. CEDAM Grant - Devota Advocacy Services DAS has helped hundreds of Michigan households achieve greater financial stability through free tax preparation and financial advocacy. DAS has returned hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax refunds and credits to residents helped families resolve multi-year tax issues and prevented property tax foreclosures through poverty exemptions and repayment plans. By partnering with local governments libraries and community organizations DAS continues to expand access to trusted financial support across Southeast Michigan.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 January 2022.

    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.