Passes our checks

Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends

EIN 20-8644416 · Bloomington, MN

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

What it says it does

WORKING WITH OTHERS TO CONSERVE, PROTECT AND ENHANCE FISH, WILDLIFE AND PLANTS AND THEIR HABITATS FOR THE CONTINUING BENEFIT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

Reserves
10 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 135% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
9 of 9 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10
Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$125,898 spent. SEE SCHEDULE O.CONTINUED SERVING AS FISCAL AND PROJECT AGENT FOR LARGE FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM, FUNDING EDUCATION, CONSERVATION AND ARTS PROGRAMMING AT THE MINNESOTA VALLEY REFUGE IN BLOOMINGTON. IN ADDITION, DUE TO A CHANGE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE HAD TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WITH PROGRAMMING FROM DEI TO LEADERSHIP THROUGH CONFLICT. NATURE STORE HAS REVISED ITS OPERATING SYSTEM, INSTALLED A NEW SYSTEM OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED A POP UP SHOP PROTOCOL TO BE AT LARGE COMMUNITY-BASED EVENTS.ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO DIVERSIFY FUNDS FROM NEW GRANT SOURCES. WE WERE ABLE TO USE THESE NEW FUNDS TO SUPPORT GEAR AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR THE INTERNS, AS WELL AS PROVIDE CONSISTENT FUNDING FOR EDUCATION AT THE REFUGE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.