Nonprofit · EIN 06-1770896
THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER
Tax-exempt · GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49508
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $3,041,373 | $2,516,843 | $524,530 | $2,781,007 | $761,621 | $2,019,386 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $2,778,352 | $2,057,132 | $721,220 | $1,611,262 | $116,406 | $1,494,856 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $1,455,639 | $1,943,610 | -$487,971 | $886,503 | $112,867 | $773,636 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,981,265
- of which government grants
- $1,951,658
- Program service revenue
- $34,049
- Investment income
- $21,085
- Other revenue
- $4,974
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $207,917
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,384,476
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,823,535
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $2,914
- Accounting fees
- $125,858
- Occupancy
- $51,340
- Travel
- $20,633
- Depreciation
- $882
- Program services (functional)
- $1,803,369
- Management and general (functional)
- $530,737
- Fundraising (functional)
- $182,737
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,611,262
- Total assets, end of year
- $2,781,007
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $761,621
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,019,386
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $20,297
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,104,424
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $914,962
- Gross receipts
- $3,041,373
- Employees
- 40
- Volunteers
- 125
- Year formed
- 2006
- State of legal domicile
- MI
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Derrer | Chief Executive Officer Officer | 40 | $123,671 | $876 |
| Erin VanMaanen | Chief Operating Officer Officer | 40 | $79,405 | $3,964 |
| Blerta Bushati | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Nichole Northern | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Rebecca Chabot | President Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Rima Shah | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Daniel Brubaker | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Brandy Lovelady Mitchell | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Kara Van Dam | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Paula Schuiteman-Bishop | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Lisa Cooper | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 10 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Derrer | Executive Director Officer | 40 | $119,023 | $907 |
| Erin VanMaanen | Chief Operating Officer Officer | 40 | $80,133 | $3,703 |
| Blerta Bushati | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Nichole Northern | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Rebecca Chabot | Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Rima Shah | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Daniel Brubaker | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Kathryn VanOveren | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Kara Van Dam | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| Paula Bishop-Schuiteman | Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 10 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARGARET DERRER | EXECUTIVE DI Officer | 40 | $110,000 |
| PAULA BISHOP-SCHUITEMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| DANIEL BRUBAKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| BLERTA BUSHATI | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 |
| REBECCA CHABOT | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 |
| ESAW KURBAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| MISGANA KURBAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| NICHOLE NORTHERN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 |
| RIMA SHAH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| KATHRYN VANOVEREN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2130 ENTERPRISE ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49508-5352
- Mailing address (990-N for 2008)
- 8200 Amelia Dr, Jenison MI 49428
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- Margaret Derrer, 2130 Enterprise St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
- Principal officer (990-N for 2008)
- Fadil Lugendo, 8200 Amelia Dr, Jenison MI 49428
- Signed the 990
- Margaret Derrer, Chief Executive Officer
- Phone
- (616) 247-9611
- Website
- westmirefugee.org
- Return prepared by
- YEO & YEO PC
Mission
See Schedule OProvide resources and guidance to refugee children and their families as they gain the necessary skills for seamless and successful integration into the community through cradle to career support, including early childhood services, K-12 programming, community navigation, and cultural competency training for schools.
Program accomplishments
- K-12 Services provides Comprehensive support for refugee students in kindergarten through 12th grade that a) guides participants as they encounter topics, themes, and cultural experiences that are unfamiliar.; b) prepares high-school students through individualized support in order to complete high school and transition successfully into continuing education or job force; c) tutors and mentors students to supplement literacy, language development, and socio-emotional well-being. 213 students were served during 2025.Expenses $420,052
- The Boston Square Early Learning Center is a culturally responsive and multilingual early childhood center, providing curriculum-based instruction to children, ages 0-5, of refugee families as well as American born children. This neighborhood early learning center prepares its students for success kindergarten and in life. Additionally, this program creates economic opportunities for refugee adults and others who are new to the teaching profession through direct employment, and for those who are learning or working elsewhere and need quality childcare. 67 children were served during 2025.Expenses $927,302
- Navigation Services provide community navigation guidance to refugee parents and caregivers as they seek stability and belonging to the West Michigan community. A focus on parent and caregiver for school orientation, school enrollment aid, and assistance with parent-teacher conferences and parent/student workshops is key. Additionally, referral services are provided to families and individuals to the Refugee Education Center for programs and services as well as our partners' direct service programs and/or other state-funded benefit programs. Household and family stability support are central, addressing issues of health, education, and economic stability. 413 students enrolled in school across various school districts in West Michigan and over 206 households were served in 2025. Additionally, 41 school districts were provided with consultation services to support aspects of successful educational outcomes for students of diverse backgrounds.Expenses $456,015
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 06-1770896
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2006
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Civil rights, social action and advocacy (R22)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $2,781,007
- Income (IRS master file)
- $3,041,373
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $3,041,373 | $2,516,843 | $2,781,007 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $2,778,352 | $2,057,132 | $1,611,262 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $1,455,639 | $1,943,610 | $886,503 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $1,648,288 | $2,022,526 | $1,407,144 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2008 Officer: Fadil Lugendo | December 31, 2008 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 06-1770896).
Questions about THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER
- What is the EIN of THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER is 06-1770896.
- Is THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2006.
- Are donations to THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Margaret Derrer.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 11 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $123,671 (Margaret Derrer, Chief Executive Officer).
- How much revenue does THE REFUGEE EDUCATION CENTER have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $3,041,373, expenses of $2,516,843 and total assets of $2,781,007 at year end.
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