Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Northwood Childrens Home Society Inc

EIN 41-0706108 · Duluth, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NORTHWOOD CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY, INC. IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, MULTI- SERVICE AGENCY THAT PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL CARE, EDUCATION, AND TREATMENT FOR BOYS AND GIRLS WITH EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND LEARNING DISABILITIES.

Income
$22.0 million
Spending
$21.0 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
12.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
323
Volunteers
42
Highest pay
$221,203, president &

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 (5)
  1. $11.4 million spent. NORTHWOOD CHILDREN'S SERVICES OPERATES A 24-HOUR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY THAT PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH A SAFE, WELL-MAINTAINED LIVING ENVIRONMENT. WITHIN AN ASSIGNED TEAM OF 8-12 STUDENTS - GROUPED ACCORDING TO TREATMENT NEEDS, DIAGNOSIS, AND AGE - CHILDREN LEARN TO LIVE WITH OTHERS IN A FAMILY-LIKE ATMOSPHERE. A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN IS PREPARED FOR EACH STUDENT THAT OUTLINES SPECIFIC TREATMENT GOALS THAT ARE SCORED AND EVALUATED ON A DAILY BASIS USING A LIFE SKILLS MODEL. NORTHWOOD ALSO OPERATES A PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY (PRTF), THE FIRST SUCH FACILITY IN MINNESOTA, WITH 1 TO 3 STAFF TO CHILD RATIO IN ASSIGNED TEAMS OF UP TO 8 STUDENTS AND 24 HOURS MEDICAL STAFF ON HAND. ADDITIONALLY, NORTHWOOD OPERATES A DIAGNOSTIC AND ASSESSMENT CENTER THAT PROVIDES 24-HOUR CHILDREN'S RESIDENTIAL FACILITY SOLELY FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES. DURING 2024, NORTHWOOD PROVIDED OVER 23,000 CHILD CARE DAYS OF SERVICE. NORTHWOOD CHILDREN'S SERVICES OPERATES A 24-HOUR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY THAT PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH A SAFE, WELL-MAINTAINED LIVING ENVIRONMENT. WITHIN AN ASSIGNED TEAM OF 8-12 STUDENTS - GROUPED ACCORDING TO TREATMENT NEEDS, DIAGNOSIS, AND AGE - CHILDREN LEARN TO LIVE WITH OTHERS IN A FAMILY-LIKE ATMOSPHERE. A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN IS PREPARED FOR EACH STUDENT THAT OUTLINES SPECIFIC TREATMENT GOALS THAT ARE SCORED AND EVALUATED ON A DAILY BASIS USING A LIFE SKILLS MODEL. NORTHWOOD ALSO OPERATES A PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY (PRTF), THE FIRST SUCH FACILITY IN MINNESOTA, WITH 1 TO 3 STAFF TO CHILD RATIO IN ASSIGNED TEAMS OF UP TO 8 STUDENTS AND 24 HOURS MEDICAL STAFF ON HAND. ADDITIONALLY, NORTHWOOD OPERATES A DIAGNOSTIC AND ASSESSMENT CENTER THAT PROVIDES 24-HOUR CHILDREN'S RESIDENTIAL FACILITY SOLELY FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES. DURING 2024, NORTHWOOD PROVIDED OVER 23,000 CHILD CARE DAYS OF SERVICE.
  2. $3.9 million spent. NORTHWOOD OPERATES NINE INTENSIVE DAY TREATMENT PROGRAMS WHICH SERVE CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIORAL, EMOTIONAL, OR LEARNING PROBLEMS. DAY TREATMENT ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF BOYS AND GIRLS WHO NEED MORE INTENSE SERVICES THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROVIDE, YET DO NOT NEED OUT-OF-HOME, 24-HOUR CARE. NORTHWOOD ALSO OPERATES THE LITTLE LEARNERS ENRICHMENT CENTER, WHICH IS AN EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS, AND IN-HOME TREATMENT SERVICES, WHICH PROVIDES HOME-BASED PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES IN CRISIS AND TO ASSIST CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE DISCHARGED FROM RESIDENTIAL OR DAY TREATMENT PROGRAMS.
  3. $2.4 million spent. NORTHWOOD OPERATES FIVE CORPORATE FOSTER CARE(CFC) HOMES, WHICH IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL DISABILITIES. THE MISSION OF THESE CFC HOMES IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE, ATTRACTIVE AND NURTURING HOME-LIKE LIVING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH. THE PROGRAM, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE UNIQUE NEEDS AND CAPACITIES OF EACH STUDENT, PROMOTES POSITIVE EXPERIENCES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE ACQUISITION OF DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS NEEDED TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE, SUCCESSFUL, AND CARING ADULTS.
  4. $313,152 spent. NORTHWOOD OPERATES A DIAGNOSTIC AND ASSESSMENT CENTER THAT PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATIONS, DIAGNOSES, AND FAMILY ASSESSMENTS FOR CHILDREN REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM. NORTHWOOD ALSO PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE, WHICH IS AN INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE SPECIAL NEEDS CANNOT BE MET IN THEIR OWN FAMILIES, BUT WHO DO NOT REQUIRE THE CARE OF A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER.
  5. NORTHWOOD OPERATES A DIAGNOSTIC AND ASSESSMENT CENTER THAT PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATIONS, DIAGNOSES, AND FAMILY ASSESSMENTS FOR CHILDREN REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM. NORTHWOOD ALSO PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE, WHICH IS AN INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE SPECIAL NEEDS CANNOT BE MET IN THEIR OWN FAMILIES, BUT WHO DO NOT REQUIRE THE CARE OF A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER.

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 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 November 6, 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 December 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 March 1942.

    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 November 4, 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.