Washtenaw Care-Based Safety
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 302 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Care-Based Safetys mission is to provide a nonpolice response program that will grow life-affirming support and opportunities for all community members in Washtenaw County. We deliver a community cocreated program with two mutually reinforcing aspects: Community Building and Crisis Response. We respond to conflict and crisis with trauma-informed care; prevent destructive conflict and crisis through skill building and social support; and collaborate with community partners in addressing the root causes of crisis in Washtenaw County MI. We are peer-led and we center those most impacted by state violence: our community members who are Black & brown live with mental illness and disabilities use substances or are housing insecure and or poor as we work to build a future where crisis is met with compassionate care not criminalization. We demand care-based safety for all.
- Income
- $13,896
- Spending
- $257,719
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 19.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 5
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
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1755% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 97% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 302 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
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 (1)
- $177,490 spent. Care-Based Safety CBS provides a non-police crisis response and community support program in Washtenaw County MI. CBS offers peer-led crisis intervention harm reduction conflict mediation and community-building initiatives to address urgent needs without law enforcement involvement. Through its Ypsilanti Response Pilot Preventing Harm and Crisis Workshop Series and advocacy efforts CBS works to create sustainable life-affirming alternatives to policing and incarceration. CBS prioritizes support for Black and Brown community members those experiencing housing insecurity people with disabilities and individuals impacted by substance use and mental health challenges. By centering care over criminalization CBS is building a safer more just community.
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 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 March 2024.
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.