Firm Foundations of Hope
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Firm Foundations of Hope is committed to spiritual revival and neighborhood revitalization. Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, we seek person by person transformation of residents by making known the fullness of life to which Jesus Christ invites us, by providing employment and mentoring to unemployed persons, and by doing home repairs for the poor.
- Income
- $66,330
- Spending
- $44,838
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $7,540, president and executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (employment, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 (3)
- $20,446 spent. Our crew members in our transitional work program are learning or growing in their understanding of the dignity of work and in work skills and life skills as they begin or continue employment under the supervision of skilled volunteer project leaders. The transitional work program is for unemployed or underemployed Detroit residents who seek to become employable for fulltime work. In fiscal year 20242025, we trained and mentored 13 people who at some point during that time were employed on our transitional work crew. We are aware of two who were hired on for employment elsewhere after working in our program for a time. Everyone who was hired into our program grew in their skills and knowledge of tool use and home repair skills, and in their understanding of general workplace expectations. We added the case managing aspect of our program this year, to better assist the workers in dealing with outside of work issues, setting goals, and finding needed resources. We further developed our transitional work program this year, by creating separate General Labor and Construction Tracks depending on the applicant's goals for future employment, to better meet their needs, with established criteria for each track. We also established our Phase 3 program to continue mentoring participants after they leave our program for fulltime employment. We had a few contracted projects throughout the years which were either done at cost or earned revenue, which also served to train the workers, who helped on each of those projects.
- $20,571 spent. We do needed home repairs for low income households in Detroit. Applicants are screened for financial need and for whether the requested repairs are critical, and whether we possess the skills and equipment to complete the work. Occasionally we hire contractors to complete projects or portions of projects that we're unable to complete ourselves. Much of the work we do is for seniors, and often includes such safety measures as building a wheelchair ramp or new stairs or railings. We do these projects for lowor no cost to the recipient. In fiscal year 202425, we completed 27 repair projects, almost all done by us, with two funded or partly funded by us to a contractor who completed work and a few of the projects done jointly with other organizations. All of these projects served the homeowners (or occasionally other nonprofits) in need and served to improve and build up our local community in Detroit and Highland Park.
- $1,677 spent. Our Christian ministry efforts include reaching out to spiritual seekers and those who are otherwise looking for hope and purpose in life, to invite them into a living relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to walk with them on their spiritual journey. We do this by ministering to people on the street and by running a weekly group for seekers or new believers in our neighborhood, called the AlleyGroup, where we offer a meal and conversation, and an entrylevel Bible study that always offers a safe space for questions, concerns, and prayer requests. We've prayed and ministered to dozens of people on the street, and have welcomed a core group and visitors to our AlleyGroup. We have fostered a cohesive community among the participants and have educated and inspired those who come or who we meet.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.
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 September 2022.
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 October 21, 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.