Skip to the page content
Your donations
Check before you give

Stearns Cooperative Electric Association

EIN 41-0558175 · Melrose, MN

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedToo small or too little detailImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GENERATION AND PURCHASE OF ELECTRICITY FOR DISTRIBUTION AND SALE ON A COOPERATIVE BASIS TO MEMBERS.

Income
$71.5 million
Spending
$71.5 million
Employees
86
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$396,864, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Governance

This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (1)
  1. SOLD 524,306,568 KWH'S TO OUR COOPERATIVE MEMBERS IN 2024. THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF TOTAL SERVICES WAS 28,559. WE OPERATE ON A COOPERATIVE BASIS TO GENERATE, PURCHASE, DISTRIBUTE, AND SELL ELECTRICITY TO OUR MEMBERS. NET PATRONAGE MARGINS, OUR NET INCOME, IS USED TO GROW OUR PLANT AND RETIRE CAPITAL CREDITS. NET MARGINS ARE ALLOCATED TO MEMBERS AND RETURNED TO OUR MEMBERS OVER TIME.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(12) benevolent life insurance association or utility cooperative.

    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? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(12) benevolent life insurance association or utility cooperative as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 December 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 March 1939.

    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.