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Prepare and Prosper

EIN 23-7131829 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Prepare + Prosper and its volunteers work with low- to moderate-income people to build financial well-being through free tax preparation and financial services, products, and coaching, and by changing systems to create economic opportunity.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 76%
Employees
65
Volunteers
462
Highest pay
$148,955, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 38% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $1.9 million spent. Prepare + Prosper (P+P) is a Saint Paul based economic justice nonprofit founded in 1971 to provide free high-quality tax perparation to low-income and moderate-income Minnesotans. While tax preparation remains the primary focus, P+P has since evolved into a nationally recognized leader in financial inclusion by offering innovative, accessible programs and tools to supposrt historically disinvested communities in building wealth and improving their financial health. P+P's mission is to work, along with volunteers, with people who have low to moderate incomes to build financial well-being through free tax preparation and financial services, products, and coaching, and by changing systems to create economic opportunity.
  2. $801,420 spent. Financial Capability and Learning: Prepare + Prosper runs two major initiatives - Money Mentors and Financial Access in Reach (FAIR) to support greater financial wellbeing. Money Mentors provides coaching and resources to participants as they work toward sef-identified goals like vuilding credit or reducing debt. FAIR provides a three-product financial solution for financial underserved households and is designed to be scaled nationally through a community-based distribution model.
  3. $190,703 spent. P + P has worked to leverage the expertise of its staff, amplify the voices of people directly affected, and build cross sector partnerships and networks to inform policy and systems change and build a more equitable and inclusive financial future. Recent efforts include strengthening public policy related to tax credits, asset building and consumer protection. In 2025, P+P continued to enhance it's Systems Change department with the intention of positioning the families we serve as the key stakeholders within the systems and policies that affect them. The department focuses on bringing forth the voices and lived experiences of the many and varied communities we serve to guide our work and inform our change-making agenda. Systems change work includes advocacy, community engagement, network and capacity-building activities.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1971.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.