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White Earth Investment Initiative

EIN 01-0732253 · Detroit Lakes, MN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC, AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON THE WHITE EARTH INDIAN RESERVATION, WITH THE AIM OF HELPING TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY AND ENHANCING THE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR THE RESIDENTS THERE.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$794,887
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
4
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$358,337, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 76% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 267% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $261,767 spent. BUSINESS LOAN FUND: THE WHITE EARTH INVESTMENT INITIATIVE ENGAGES IN COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, TARGETING RESIDENTS OF THE WHITE EARTH RESERVATION AND OTHER NATIVE AMERICANS STATEWIDE. IN 2024, 4 COMMERCIAL LOANS TOTALING $842,920 WERE PROVIDED FOR NATIVE COMMUNITY BUSINESSES AND FACILITIES. 48 JOBS WERE RETAINED WITH THESE FUNDS.
  2. $256,308 spent. CONSUMER LOAN FUND: 230 CONSUMER LOANS TOTALING $1,047,559WERE CLOSED IN 2024. THE VAST MAJORITY WERE NATIVE AMERICAN CLIENTS LIVING WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE WHITE EARTH RESERVATION. COMMON USES OF FUNDS INCLUDED DEBT CONSOLIDATION OR PAYOFF OF HIGH RATE LOANS, CAR REPAIR OR PURCHASE, CHRISTMAS AND BACK-TO-SCHOOL LOANS. CONSUMERS MAY FACE BARRIERS TO MAINSTREAM CREDIT AND MAY HAVE TOO MUCH DEBT, HAVE DEBT THAT IS POORLY STRUCTURED OR MAY HAVE PROBLEMS MANAGING THEIR DEBT; FAVORABLE TERMS MAY INCLUDE LOWER-THAN STANDARD DOWN-PAYMENT, HIGHER LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIO, ETC. THEY ALSO ORIGINATED 3 MORTGAGE LOANS IN 2024 IN THE AMOUNT OF $255,000 AND 4 CLOSING COST ASSISTANCE LOANS TOTALING $33,500.
  3. $198,786 spent. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES: WEII DEVELOPMENT SERVICES OFFERS HOMEBUYER EDUCATION, HOUSING COUNSELING AND TAXPAYER ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS OF THE WHITE EARTH RESERVATION AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL LITERACY AND ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE FINANCIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND HOMEOWNERSHIP. IN 2024, 651 FEDERAL TAX RETURNS WERE FILED FREE OF CHARGE THROUGH THE TAX PREPARATION PROGRAM, A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE (96 RETURNS) OVER THE NUMBER OF FEDERAL RETURNS FILED IN 2023. IN 2024, 49 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED CLASSROOM-INSTRUCTED HOMEBUYER EDUCATION AND 10 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING. HOMEBUYER EDUCATION NUMBERS WERE OVER TRIPLE THE NUMBERS SEEN THE YEAR PRIOR. 2024 COUNSELING OUTCOMES WERE LOWER THAN IN 2023.
  4. OTHER RENTAL INCOME

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 7, 2026.

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