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Seward Redesign Inc

EIN 23-7290844 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

REDESIGN BUILDS ECONOMIC JUSTICE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY BY DEVELOPING AND SUSTAINING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, INVESTING IN ENTREPRENEURS, AND CREATING LIVING WAGE JOBS.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
11
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$172,716, 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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 66% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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. $422,395 spent. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTREDESIGN IMPLEMENTS COMMUNITY-DRIVEN REAL ESTATE PROJECTS THAT RESPOND TO COMMUNITY GOALS AND DESIRES. WE TACKLE PROJECTS THAT THE PRIVATE MARKET MIGHT OTHERWISE IGNORE IN SERVICE OF OUR COMMUNITIES' OVERALL VIBRANCY. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE KEY STRATEGIC COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND HOUSING WITH SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LEAVING HOMELESSNESS OR WITH PERSISTENT MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS. REDESIGN ALSO LEVERAGES OUR REAL ESTATE EXPERTISE, REPUTATION, AND CAPITAL TO WORK WITH ASPIRING DEVELOPERS WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN SHUT OUT OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT. IN 2024, REDESIGN PARTNERED AND CONSULTED WITH 7 SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND ASPIRING DEVELOPERS TO CONDUCT FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS, SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION, ACQUIRE, FINANCE, AND MANAGE 6 PROJECTS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. THIS WORK MOVES PROPERTY OWNERSHIP INTO THE HANDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND BUILDS LONG-TERM WEALTH. KEY PROJECTS IN 2024 INCLUDE:1. COMPLETING CONSTRUCTION OF THE 85,000 SQUARE FOOT HISTORIC COLISEUM BUILDING WHICH WILL ONCE AGAIN SERVE AS A COMMERCIAL HUB FOR OUR SERVICE AREA.2. BEGINNING CONSTRUCTION OF WADAAG COMMONS, A 39-UNIT APARTMENT PROJECT DESIGNED FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AT SEWARD COMMONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NOOR COMPANIES. MANY OF THESE UNITS WILL BE THREE- AND FOUR-BEDROOM UNITS, SUITABLE FOR LARGER FAMILIES.3. CONTINUING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AROUND THE 2800 EAST LAKE STREET SITE TO DETERMINE THE COMMUNITY'S WISHES FOR ITS FUTURE.
  2. $2.3 million spent. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT FOR COMMUNITY VALUEREDESIGN OWNS AND MANAGES A SIGNIFICANT PORTFOLIO OF REAL ESTATE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, PROVIDING WELL-MANAGED AFFORDABLE COMMERCIAL SPACE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. REDESIGN OWNS OR CO-OWNS 9 MULTI-TENANT COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IN OUR SERVICE AREA, MAKING UP 178,394 SQUARE FEET OF AFFORDABLE COMMERCIAL SPACE THAT WE LEASE TO BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS IN OUR COMMUNITY AT AFFORDABLE RATES. IN ADDITION, WE OWN OR CO-OWN 6 RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, MAKING UP OVER 900 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.REDESIGN LEASES AND DIRECTLY MANAGES THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES THAT IT OWNS. ADDITIONALLY, REDESIGN PROVIDES PROPERTY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR OTHER PROPERTIES TO ENSURE LONG-TERM AFFORDABILITY AND HIGH-QUALITY PHYSICAL MAINTENANCE. THESE PROPERTIES INCLUDE SEWARD TOWERS EAST AND WEST; AND TWO RESIDENTIAL TOWNHOUSE PROPERTIES THAT ARE PARTLY- AND WHOLLY-OWNED BY REDESIGN RESPECTIVELY.
  3. $317,071 spent. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTHREDESIGN SERVES MORE THAN 100 SMALL AND EMERGING BUSINESSES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD EACH YEAR THROUGH HANDS-ON, TAILORED TECHNICAL SUPPORT. WE WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH SMALL BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE HANDS-ON NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, RESOURCES (SUCH AS BUSINESS PLAN WRITING, STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING SUPPORT, ACCOUNTING, ETC.), COACHING, SUPPORT WITH SITE SEARCH, LEASING, PURCHASING NEGOTIATIONS, NAVIGATION THROUGH LICENSING AND PERMITTING PROCESSES, LOW-INTEREST AND PROFIT-BASED FINANCING, AND MORE TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR GOALS. IN 2024, REDESIGN VISITED 123 BUSINESSES AND PROVIDED 936 HOURS OF SERVICES TO 56 SMALL AND EMERGING BUSINESSES. WE SUPPORTED 8 BUSINESSES WITH MORE THAN $17,000 IN MATCHING FUNDS FOR IMPROVING THE LOOK OF THEIR STOREFRONTS, AND LAUNCHED A NEW SERIES OF SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT WORKSHOPS BASED ON COMMUNITY NEEDS. REDESIGN'S POOL OF LENDING CAPITAL ENABLES US TO SUPPORT CLIENTS WHO OFTEN DO NOT QUALIFY FOR TRADITIONAL LOAN PRODUCTS AND FREQUENTLY HAVE LIMITED OPTIONS FOR ACCESSING CAPITAL. REDESIGN MANAGES MULTIPLE LOAN POOLS THAT MAKE BELOW-MARKET LOANS TO SMALL BUSINESSES THAT CREATE JOBS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND PROMOTE THE SUCCESS OF THE COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS. IN 2024, REDESIGN ORIGINATED 4 LOANS TOTALING $125,000 FROM OUR POOL OF LOW-INTEREST LOAN CAPITAL. REDESIGN ALSO PROVIDES COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE SERVICES TO LOCAL BUSINESSES TO ASSIST THEM IN FINDING SPACE TO LEASE OR PROPERTIES TO PURCHASE IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING DEVELOPING PLANS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF SPACES AND THE FINANCING FOR THOSE IMPROVEMENTS. IN 2024, REDESIGN SUPPORTED 51 BUSINESSES IN LOCATING COMMERCIAL SPACE IN OUR SERVICE AREA TO HOUSE THEIR BUSINESS.
  4. $379,019 spent. COMMUNITY PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE ADVOCACYREDESIGN ENGAGES EXISTING RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND PROPERTY OWNERS IN PROACTIVE PLANNING FOR FUTURE LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF COMMUNITY-BASED DEVELOPMENT THAT SERVES THE NEEDS OF EVERYONE. REDESIGN ALSO WORKS WITH RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND LOCAL INSTITUTIONS TO PLAN AND ADVOCATE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING ENHANCEMENTS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS IN PARTICULAR, AS WELL AS CHANGES THAT WILL ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE INCLUDING INCREASED USE OF SOLAR ENERGY. IN 2024, REDESIGN CONTINUED WORKING ON AN INNOVATIVE AQUIFER THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM THAT WILL HEAT AND COOL AREA BUILDINGS USING ENERGY FROM THE EARTH.

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 November 1975.

    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.