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Literacy Minnesota

EIN 23-7217182 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE OLITERACY MINNESOTA'S MISSION IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING, SPARK INNOVATION IN LITERACY AND MOBILIZE CHANGE.LITERACY MINNESOTA WORKS TO BUILD A MORE EQUITABLE SOCIETY BY MAKING QUALITY LITERACY EDUCATION AVAILABLE TO ALL. IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE LITERACY RESOURCE, PROVIDING FREE CLASSES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN; SUPPORTING LITERACY ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT, TRAINING AND TEACHING TOOLS; AND CREATING NEW PATHWAYS FOR GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. CORE WORK INCLUDES BOTH MINNESOTA AND NATIONAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$6.1 million
Spending
$6.7 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 42%
Employees
92
Volunteers
319
Highest pay
$153,653, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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, 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 (2)
  1. $3.8 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OOPEN DOOR LEARNING CENTERS: TWO TWIN CITIES CAMPUSES AND SATELLITE SITES OFFERING ENGLISH, GED, COMPUTER, CITIZENSHIP, JOB-READINESS AND OTHER BASIC SKILLS CLASSES FOR ADULTS. EARLY LITERACY & FAMILIES: PROVIDES ADULTS TOOLS TO NAVIGATE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND INCLUDES A FREE, LITERACY-ENRICHED PRESCHOOL FOR ADULT STUDENTS' YOUNG CHILDREN.SUMMER READS: PROVIDES READING MENTORS FOR CHILDREN ENTERING GRADES K-5.ADULT LITERACY HOTLINE: ONLINE AND PHONE REFERRAL SERVICE TO ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS STATEWIDE.TUTOR TRAINING: PRE-SERVICE AND IN-SERVICE WORKSHOPS FOR LITERACY VOLUNTEERS AND EDUCATORS.TECHNOLOGY SERVICES: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR ADULT EDUCATION TEACHERS AND STAFF ON EFFECTIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL ADULT LEARNERS IN MINNESOTA.VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT: RECRUITS AND PLACES VOLUNTEERS INTO SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.
  2. $515,909 spent. SEE SCHEDULE ONORTHSTAR DIGITAL LITERACY: A LEADING-EDGE PLATFORM THAT ASSESSES AND BUILDS DIGITAL SKILLS THROUGH ONLINE MODULES, CLASSROOM CURRICULUM AND SELF-DIRECTED ONLINE LEARNING. ESTABLISHES DIGITAL LITERACY STANDARDS AND INFORMS POLICY AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.NATIONAL SERVICE: TWO TRACKS, LITERACY FOR ALL AND DIGITAL LITERACY, THAT ENGAGE AMERICORPS VISTA MEMBERS TO DESIGN AND CARRY OUT LITERACY INITIATIVES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.ADVOCACY: MOBILIZES TO INFLUENCE POLICY AND LEGISLATION AROUND THE LITERACY CAUSE.CURRICULUM & RESOURCES: SEARCHABLE ONLINE LIBRARY OF LITERACY CURRICULUM AND TEACHING TOOLS.JOURNEYS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF ADULT STUDENT WRITING WITH ACCOMPANYING CLASSROOM RESOURCES FOR ADULT BASIC EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS.LITERACY STRATEGIES: CONSULTING SERVICES TO HELP ORGANIZATIONS LAUNCH AND DEVELOP LITERACY PROGRAMMING.OPEN DOOR COLLECTIVE: COMBATS POVERTY THROUGH LITERACY EDUCATION, POLICY AND RESEARCH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 2024.

    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 January 1973.

    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.