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Northern Pines Mental Health Center Inc

EIN 41-0875464 · Little Falls, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDING DIRECT AND INDIRECT SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITES, AND SUBSTANCE USE TO RESIDENTS OF AITKIN, CASS, CROW WING, MORRISON, TODD, AND WADENA COUNTIES.

Income
$21.8 million
Spending
$21.3 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
284
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$247,462, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $16.4 million spent. NORTHERN PINES IS A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1964, WITH A SIX-COUNTY SERVICE AREA IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA THAT INCLUDES AITKIN, CASS, CROW WING, MORRISON, TODD, AND WADENA COUNTIES. WE HAVE OFFICES IN AITKIN, BRAINERD, LITTLE FALLS, LONG PRAIRIE, STAPLES, WADENA AND WALKER.WE PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO ALL AGES, INCLUDING MOBILE AND RESIDENTIAL CRISIS OUTREACH SERVICES, ADULT COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES, ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH, CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS EDUCATION AND PROMOTION, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, OUTPATIENT THERAPY, PSYCHIATRY, PEER SPECIALIST SERVICES, SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES, A DROP-IN CENTER LOCATED IN STAPLES, AND MORE.AS AN ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY PROVIDER, NORTHERN PINES PROVIDES REDUCED OR NO-FEE SERVICES, BASED ON ITS SLIDING FEE SCALE. A MINNESOTA NONPROFIT CORPORATION, NORTHERN PINES IS GOVERNED BY A VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 August 1965.

    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.