Nonprofit · EIN 38-1459016
MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION
Tax-exempt · LANSING, MI 48933
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $25,552,675 | $23,918,318 | $1,634,357 | $56,892,930 | $17,390,879 | $39,502,051 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $29,616,731 | $13,778,507 | $15,838,224 | $40,164,129 | $6,984,764 | $33,179,365 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $19,857,772 | $14,032,060 | $5,825,712 | $19,720,425 | $4,686,094 | $15,034,331 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $9,632,568
- of which government grants
- $5,783,257
- Program service revenue
- $14,988,947
- Investment income
- $931,160
- Net gain from sales of assets
- -$404,690
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $22,176,612
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $413,679
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $413,679
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $425
- Accounting fees
- $35,574
- Occupancy
- $45,025
- Depreciation
- $4,224
- Program services (functional)
- $23,493,116
- Management and general (functional)
- $390,987
- Fundraising (functional)
- $34,215
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $40,164,129
- Total assets, end of year
- $56,892,930
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $17,390,879
- Net assets, end of year
- $39,502,051
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $10,132
- Publicly traded securities
- $46,012,906
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,261,594
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $37,240,457
- Gross receipts
- $59,502,113
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 38
- Year formed
- 1947
- 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 September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER S BENTLEY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASST SEC/TREAS Officer | 47 | $186,105 | $34,321 |
| TRACI L THRANA-KUIPER | CFO Officer | 45 | $131,455 | $45,809 |
| KAREN LEPPANEN MILLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVEN G HOWELL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL L PITT | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS W CRANMER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HON WILLIAM B MURPHY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE M WOTLINSKI | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HON VICTORIA A ROBERTS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD A SOBLE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT F RILEY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JONATHAN E OSGOOD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS R BEHM | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RONDA L TATE TRUVILLION | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD K RAPPLEYE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
2 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JULIE I FERSHTMAN | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CRAIG H LUBBEN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 18 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER S BENTLEY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASST SEC/TREAS Officer | 50 | $175,423 | $26,871 |
| LAURA C MUSACHIO | ATJ CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR Highest-paid employee | 45 | $102,555 | $27,730 |
| TRACI L THRANA-KUIPER | CFO Officer | 45 | $42,500 | $25,210 |
| JONATHAN E OSGOOD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN LEPPANEN MILLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVEN G HOWELL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL L PITT | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS W CRANMER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HON WILLIAM B MURPHY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| W ANTHONY JENKINS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HON VICTORIA A ROBERTS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD A SOBLE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS R BEHM | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT F RILEY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD K RAPPLEYE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RONDA L TATE TRUVILLION | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE I FERSHTMAN | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CRAIG H LUBBEN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 18 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER S BENTLEY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASST SEC/TREAS Officer | 50 | $164,558 | $27,418 |
| JONATHAN FOWLER | CFO (ENDED 6/1/23) Officer | 45 | $112,568 | $20,467 |
| JONATHAN E OSGOOD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN LEPPANEN MILLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER H ELLSWORTH | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL L PITT | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS W CRANMER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HON WILLIAM B MURPHY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| W ANTHONY JENKINS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HON VICTORIA A ROBERTS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD A SOBLE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS R BEHM | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT F RILEY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD K RAPPLEYE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RONDA L TATE TRUVILLION | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE I FERSHTMAN | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CRAIG H LUBBEN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACI L THRANA-KUIPER | CFO (STARTED 8/28/23) Officer | 45 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 306 TOWNSEND ST, LANSING, MI 48933-2012
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JENNIFER BENTLEY, 306 TOWNSEND STREET, LANSING, MI 48933
- Signed the 990
- JENNIFER BENTLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (517) 346-6400
- Website
- WWW.MSBF.ORG
- Return prepared by
- MANER COSTERISAN PC
Mission
THE MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND GRANTS TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR ALL TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR CIVIL LEGAL AID FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS, LAW-RELATED EDUCATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.
Program accomplishments
- IOLTA - INTEREST ON CERTAIN LAWYERS' POOLED ACCOUNTS DESIGNATED FOR GRANTS REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS. 14,425 ATTORNEYS PARTICIPATED.Expenses $14,297,836 · grants $13,564,493 · revenue $14,929,046
- MSHDA - GRANTS AND RELATED EXPENSES REGARDING THE EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM.Expenses $4,158,257 · grants $4,090,757
- ACCESS TO JUSTICE - GRANTS AND RELATED EXPENSES REGARDING CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS.Expenses $2,106,941 · grants $1,760,305
- SPECIAL GRANTS TO CIVIL LEGAL AID PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC LEGAL NEEDS. REVENUE INCLUDED FUNDS FROM THE JUDICIARY, RELIEF FUNDS AWARDED IN CLASS ACTION CASES, AND MSBF GENERAL FUNDS.Expenses $1,192,787 · grants $1,173,557
- DHS SSI - CONTRACT REVENUES FROM THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ARE DISTRIBUTED TO LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN APPLYING FOR SSI OR OTHER FEDERAL DISABILITY BENEFITS.Expenses $975,000 · grants $937,500
- LEGAL SELF-HELP - GRANTS AND RELATED EXPENSES REGARDING PROVISION OF LEGAL INFORMATION AND FORMS ONLINE, SUPPORT FOR AND OPERATION OF LEGAL SELF-HELP CENTERS, AND TRAINING RELATED TO LEGAL SELF-HELP.Expenses $650,000 · grants $650,000
- FELLOWS PROGRAM - A PROGRAM WHICH GENERATES UNRESTRICTED REVENUE FOR THE FOUNDATION'S PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES. 1,549 ATTORNEYS PARTICIPATED.Expenses $90,761
- FILING FEES - FUNDS EXPENDED TO PROVIDE GRANTS FOR CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS.Expenses $21,534 · revenue $59,901
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 September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 38-1459016
- 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
- 1957
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Crime and legal-related (I128)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $56,892,930
- Income (IRS master file)
- $59,502,113
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $25,552,675 | $23,918,318 | $56,892,930 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $29,616,731 | $13,778,507 | $40,164,129 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $19,857,772 | $14,032,060 | $19,720,425 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $12,794,353 | $13,406,074 | $11,655,602 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
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 38-1459016).
Questions about MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION
- What is the EIN of MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION is 38-1459016.
- Is MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1957.
- Are donations to MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION 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 MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names JENNIFER BENTLEY.
- Who are the officers and directors of MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 17 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $186,105 (JENNIFER S BENTLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASST SEC/TREAS).
- How much revenue does MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $25,552,675, expenses of $23,918,318 and total assets of $56,892,930 at year end.
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All nonprofits in LANSING · Michigan · Crime and legal-related