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Norway House

EIN 20-1129254 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Norway House connects the United States with contemporary Norway through art, culture, and business.

Income
$7.5 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
16
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$125,000, executive director

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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 59% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 283% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    27 of 27 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (5)
  1. $417,233 spent. The Norway House Midtsommer Celebration is an annual tradition celebrating the "Going Viking" spirit by identifying and honoring individuals of Norwegian heritage that have, through their extraordinary accomplishments and adventuresome spirit, significantly advanced the quality of life for others. The Organization now give the Going Viking awards during the Winterfest in December."
  2. $262,415 spent. The Norwegian American is a 20- to 28- page+ tabloid-sized newspaper, published 12 times a year in English with two to three pages in Norwegian. Sections include news from Norway, business, sports, opinion, research & science, travel, food & drink, arts & entertainment, Norwegian heritage, Norwegian language resources, and news from the Norwegian-American community. Special expanded issues, produced roughly every third issue, include more color pages to focus in-depth on a subject of interest to Norwegian Americans. A weekly email newsletter highlighting the top stories of each issue.
  3. $212,891 spent. The Minnesota Peace Initiative serves to raise awareness, educate audiences and foster engagement about the peace process throughout the world.The Peace Initiative was created by Janet Dolan, the 2008 Going Viking Award winner, and her husband, William Moore. They share the vision of creating meaningful programs that build on the longstanding Norwegian tradition of serving as a peacemaker and facilitator for dialogue on various challenging issues related to world peace.
  4. $711,204 spent. Norway House has a number of other programs throughout the year and that support their mission of preserving and promoting an appreciation and understanding of the American-Norwegian experience.
  5. $121,061 spent. The Organization has a Kaffebar to recognize and spread Norwegian culture. A key part of Norwegian life involves a good cup of coffee and face-to-face contact. When we see each other again after a spell away, we hug and say, "Thanks for last time!" (Takk for sist!) We take the extra moment to remember our last meeting so we can pick up where we left off.

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 December 2004.

    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.

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.