A Brighter Way
501(c)(3) Donations tax-deductible
Only null% goes to programs Strong reserves Growing revenue
A Brighter Way is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, registered in 2019, with $791,563 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it B.
124 Pearl St Ste 304, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197 EIN 81-1186430 Since 2019
Revenue (FY2024)
$792K
▼ 21.9% vs prior year
Expenses (FY2024)
$730K
Net assets
$725K
Employees
—
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
B
★★★★
Rated on 2 of 4 criteria — the rest aren't reported in this filing type.
Held down by its weakest criterion — a strong score on one criterion can't hide a weak one.
How the rating works →—Program efficiency40% of the ratingNo expense breakdown in filings
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. Not scored for A Brighter Way— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating12 mo reserves · +8% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For A Brighter Way: 12 mo reserves · +8% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
—Governance25% of the ratingNot reported in this filing type
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. Not scored for A Brighter Way— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
CTransparency10% of the rating2 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For A Brighter Way: 2 of 5 disclosure signals earns a C on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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A live seal — it updates automatically when the grade changes and links donors to this verified profile.
Contact & location
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $97K (FY2020) to $792K (FY2024) across 5 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $584KNet assets $725K
Operating margin
7.8%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$1.3M
Total liabilities
$584K
Net assets
$725K
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $791,563▼21.9% | $729,875▲32.5% | $724,631▲9.3% | $1,308,797▲73.0% | 990 |
| 2023 | $1,013,720▲306% | $551,027▲176% | $662,943▲871% | $756,512▲609% | 990 |
| 2022 | $249,447▲159% | $199,398▲61.6% | $68,250▲416% | $106,716▲187% | 990 |
| 2021 | $96,404▼1.1% | $123,370▲65.4% | $13,236▼67.1% | $37,236▼37.1% | 990EZ |
| 2020 | $97,441 | $74,568 | $40,202 | $59,202 | 990EZ |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Grants received · $831K total
6 grants to A Brighter Way totaling $831K, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Health Endowment Fund | Holistic health engagement for returned citizens | 2024 | $150,000 |
| Community Foundation For Southeast Michigan | Education | 2024 | $29,250 |
| Community Foundation For Southeast Michigan | Education | 2023 | $214,766 |
| United Way For Southeastern Michigan | Grant | 2023 | $30,000 |
| Community Foundation For Southeast Michigan | General operations | 2022 | $401,500 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Human services | 2021 | $5,750 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is A Brighter Way a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. A Brighter Way is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 81-1186430, based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is A Brighter Way's EIN?
- A Brighter Way's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 81-1186430.
- How much revenue does A Brighter Way report?
- A Brighter Way reported $791,563 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- What financial grade does A Brighter Way have?
- CharityIndex grades A Brighter Way B, based on financial health (reserves and operating margin).
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Data for A Brighter Way (EIN 81-1186430) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.