Fresh Air Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
KFAI is a volunteer-based community radio station that exists to broadcast information, arts and entertainment programming for an audience of diverse racial, social and economic backgrounds. By providing a voice for people ignored or misrepresented by mainstream media, KFAI increases understanding between peoples and communities, while fostering the values of democracy and social justice.
- Income
- $969,034
- Spending
- $815,077
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- 20.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 50%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 233
- Highest pay
- $74,077, general manager & executiv
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 20.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1560% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $189,965 spent. Community Core Building: In 2024, KFAI advanced a multi-phase initiative to strengthen our organizational culture, governance, and community connections. We refined roles, policies, and procedures; began developing enforceable community agreements; and increased organizational transparency. This work fosters cross-department collaboration and clarity, builds trust, and centers accessibility, dependability, mutuality, and collective well-being - creating a more inclusive and innovative KFAI ecosystem.
- $156,349 spent. Community Empowerment & Collective Action: Based in Cedar-Riverside/West Bank - home to the largest Somali community in the U.S. and Minnesota's most culturally diverse neighborhood - KFAI builds community on and off the air. We produce and sponsor arts, entertainment, and cultural events across the Twin Cities, and broadcast in nine languages, with programming led by and for immigrant and underserved communities.
- $138,951 spent. Collective & Reflexive Broadcasting: KFAI is powered by community leaders whose passion bridges cultural and generational divides. Our 24/7 broadcast features 86 shows in 10 languages - 84 produced live and local in-house - alongside community arts, entertainment, and cultural events across the Twin Cities. Nearly half of our programs are led by members of overlapping diasporas and the LGBTQIA2S+ community, making KFAI one of Minnesota's most culturally rich and generationally diverse media outlets.
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
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 December 2024.
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 October 1974.
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.