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Passes our checks

The Karen Organization of Minnesota

EIN 30-0438142 · Roseville, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BUILD ON THE STRENGTHS OF REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO ACHIEVING ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL WELLBEING.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
71
Volunteers
49
Highest pay
$97,754, co-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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 (3)
  1. $1.3 million spent. HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICESKOM OFFERS AN ARRAY OF SERVICES TO HELP REFUGEES ACCESS RESOURCES AND EDUCATION THAT IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. IN 2024, KOM PROVIDED CASE MANAGEMENT FOR OVER 675 ADULTS TO ADDRESS NEEDS INCLUDING: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACCESS, MNSURE NAVIGATION, HOUSING SUPPORT, IMMIGRATION SERVICES, AND SERVICES TO ELDERS. KOM'S YOUTH CASE MANAGER PROVIDED WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR 76 KAREN YOUTH WITH SUBSTANCE USE AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. KOM PROVIDED COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION TO KAREN ADULTS AND YOUTH ON TOPICS INCLUDING SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, PARENTING SKILLS, AND FAMILY PLANNING METHODS. FINALLY, KOM STAFF HELD OVER 1,600 WALK-IN/ON-CALL APPOINTMENTS TO ASSIST CLIENTS WITH URGENT AND COMPLEX NEEDS OUTSIDE OF AVAILABLE PROGRAMS.
  2. $1.3 million spent. EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS KOM PROVIDES WORKFORCE READINESS SKILLS, JOB PLACEMENT, AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO ABOUT 300 PEOPLE PER YEAR. IN 2024, 63 ADULTS COMPLETED CREDENTIALED TRAINING IN HUMAN SERVICES, INTERPRETING, COMMERCIAL DRIVING, AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES. KOM PLACED 142 ADULTS IN JOBS AND PROVIDED WORKFORCE READINESS TRAINING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO IMPROVE JOB RETENTION. 81 PEOPLE RECEIVED SUPPORT THROUGH FINANCIAL WORKSHOPS AND COACHING TO INCREASE THEIR HOUSEHOLD'S NET INCOME AND ACCESS FINANCIAL SERVICES.
  3. $1.2 million spent. YOUTH SERVICESKOM PARTNERS WITH THE MINNESOETA REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT NETWORK TO OFFER ACADEMIC AND CAREER COACHING FOR ABOUT 50 REFUGEE YOUTH IN GRADES K-12. KOM ALSO LEADS AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING, SOCIOEMOTIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, AND VOLUNTEER MENTORSHIP FOR ABOUT 75 KAREN/KARENNI YOUTH IN GRADES 6-12 ST. PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS. DURING THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, 92% OF STUDENTS IN KOM'S AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS REPORTED INCREASES IN THEIR ABILITY TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS, MANAGE STRESS, BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, UNDERSTAND CULTURAL DIFFERENCES, AND USE LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

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 December 2008.

    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.