Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF TRI-VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL, INC. IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES.THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES IN THE VALUE OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS. IT IS THAT BELIEF THAT DRIVES THE ORGANIZATION'S EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY NEEDS, SEEK RESOURCES AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO THRIVE.THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK IS ALSO COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITIES SO THAT ITS CITIZENS HAVE BETTER PLACES TO LIVE, WORK, WORSHIP AND ENJOY.
- Income
- $33.1 million
- Spending
- $31.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 93%
- Employees
- 585
- Volunteers
- 733
- Highest pay
- $158,717, chief executive officer
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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 40% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 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
7 of 7Has a 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 (6)
- $19.5 million spent. CHILD EDUCATION: TRI-VALLEY HEAD START, CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAMS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON PROMOTING CHILDREN'S SCHOOL READINESS. TRI-VALLEY OPERATES BOTH A MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM, AND A REGIONAL HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START WITH FIFTEEN CENTERS LOCATED ACROSS MN AND ND. IN THE 2024-2025 PROGRAM, MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START SERVED 620 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX AND 44 PREGNANT WOMEN. REGION V HEAD START SERVED 130 CHILDREN AGES THREE TO SIX YEARS OLD AND EARLY HEAD START SERVED 84 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF THREE YEARS OLD AND 4 PREGNANT WOMEN. THE AVERAGE ATTENDANCE FOR MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START WAS 94%, RV HEAD START WAS 87% AND EARLY HEAD START WAS 86%. PROMOTING NUTRITIONAL WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IS A VITAL COMPONENT OF TRI-VALLEY HEAD START, CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAMS. TRI-VALLEY'S CLASSROOMS IMPLEMENT THE FARM TO EARLY CARE CURRICULUM DEVELOPED BY TRI-VALLEY NUTRITION STAFF. CHILDREN ARE PROVIDED WITH HOMEMADE, NUTRITIOUS MEALS WHILE LEARNING ABOUT FOOD AND NUTRITION IN THE CLASSROOM. MEALS WERE PROVIDED FOR 117,677 MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START CHILDREN AND 53,600 MEALS WERE PROVIDED FOR HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START CHILDREN. TRI-VALLEY HEAD START, CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAMS ALSO RECOGNIZES HEALTH IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION OF SCHOOL READINESS ENSURING THAT ALL CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS ARE IDENTIFIED. FAMILIES ARE LINKED TO AN ONGOING SOURCE OF CONTINUOUS, ACCESSIBLE CARE TO MEET THEIR HEALTH NEEDS. MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START ASSISTED 91% OF CHILDREN IN GETTING UP TO DATE ON PHYSICALS AS WELL AS 92% UP TO DATE ON DENTALS. RV HEAD START ASSISTED 92% OF CHILDREN GETTING UP TO DATE ON PHYSICALS AND 82% OF CHILDREN UP TO DATE WITH DENTALS. EARLY HEAD START ASSISTED 78% OF CHILDREN GETTING UP TO DATE ON PHYSICALS/WELL-CHILD CHECKS. TRI-VALLEY HEAD START, CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAMS IS KNOWN FOR PROVIDING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE SAFE, NURTURING, ENGAGING AND ENJOYABLE. PROVIDING CULTURALLY, LINGUISTICALLY AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PROGRAMMING THAT FOCUSES ON THE PROCESS OF LEARNING AND HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP A SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE, SOCIAL COMPETENCE, CONFIDENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO ENSURE THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES ARE SUPPORTED AND ARE INCLUDED IN PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START SERVED 49 CHILDREN WITH AN IEP OR IFSP. RV HEAD START SERVED 31 CHILDREN WITH AN IEP. EARLY HEAD START SERVED 18 CHILDREN WITH AN IFSP. CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT SCORING SYSTEM IS AN OBSERVATIONAL INSTRUMENT USED TO ASSESS THE QUALITY OF TEACHER-CHILD INTERACTIONS IN OUR PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. TRI-VALLEY MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START AS WELL AS HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START UTILIZE PRACTICE-BASED COACHING TO SUPPORT TEACHERS IN MAINTAINING HIGH QUALITY INTERACTIONS ASSESSED AT OR ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE SCORES FOR PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IS KEY IN TRI-VALLEY HEAD START, CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAMS WITH THE OBJECTIVE BEING TO SUPPORT PARENTS AS THEY IDENTIFY AND MEET PERSONAL GOALS TO NURTURE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR CHILDREN IN CONTEXT OF THEIR FAMILY AND CULTURE. MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START HAD 94% OF ENROLLED FAMILIES PARTICIPATE IN THE FAMILY GOAL SETTING PROCESS. RV HEAD START HAD 96% OF ENROLLED FAMILIES PARTICIPATE IN THE FAMILY GOAL SETTING PROCESS AND EARLY HEAD START HAD 92% OF FAMILIES PARTICIPATE IN THE FAMILY GOAL SETTING PROCESS. TRI-VALLEY USES THE CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE CURRICULUM AS A FRAMEWORK FOR OUR APPROACH TO BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE CURRICULUM PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND CLASSROOM STRUCTURES THAT TEACHERS CAN USE TO TURN EVERYDAY SITUATIONS INTO LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. WE COLLABORATE WITH PARENTS TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT IN THE CLASSROOM AND HOME THAT FOCUSES ON THE WHOLE CHILD AND THE WHOLE FAMILY, WHILE TEACHING IMPORTANT PRO-SOCIAL SKILLS. TO FURTHER THE EFFORTS OF ENGAGING FAMILIES INTO THE PROGRAM THE LEARNING GENIE APP IS PROVIDED AT NO COST TO PARENTS. LEARNING GENIE BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN THE HOME AND THE CLASSROOM BY PROVIDING AN OUTLET TO SHARE PHOTOS, VIDEOS, MESSAGES, BOOK AND LEARNING MEDIA. TRI-VALLEY HEAD START, CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAMS PARTNERS WITH FOUR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS TO OFFER SUPPORT TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND STAFF ON VARIOUS TOPICS OF SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MENTAL WELLNESS. THESE PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDE CONSULTATIONS WITH TEACHING STAFF REGARDING CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING ON POSITIVE BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE, AS WELL AS PARENT TRAINING. SERVICES OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE ONGOING SUPPORT FOR COPING AND OVERALL WELL-BEING AS WELL AS TARGETED SUPPORT FOR MENTAL WELLNESS.
- $4.1 million spent. TRANSPORTATION:TRI-VALLEY TRANSPORTATION, ALSO KNOWN AS T.H.E. BUS (TRI-VALLEY HEARTLAND EXPRESS) IS A DIVISION OF TRI-VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL, INC. (TVOC).T.H.E. BUS IS A CURB-TO-CURB SERVICE AND PROVIDES PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN EIGHT MINNESOTA COUNTIES, POLK, RED LAKE, NORMAN, MARSHALL, MAHNOMEN, KITTSON, PENNINGTON AND CLEARWATER. BUSES RUN THROUGH THESE COUNTIES ON VARIOUS DAYS WITH VARIOUS DESTINATIONS. IN THE CITIES OF CROOKSTON (POLK) AND THIEF RIVER FALLS (PENNINGTON), DAILY SERVICE RUNS 7 DAYS PER WEEK. IN BAGLEY (CLEARWATER) AND MAHNOMEN (MAHNOMEN), SERVICE IS AVAILABLE 5 DAYS PER WEEK AND TWO SATURDAYS A MONTH. T.H.E. BUS ALSO RUNS 5 DAYS A WEEK IN MARSHALL COUNTY. WITHIN THE CITIES LISTED, TRI-VALLEY TRANSPORTATION OFFERS DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE. T.H.E. BUS IS FUNDED THROUGH MNDOT.THE ORGANIZATION'S PUBLIC TRANSIT BUSES ARE AVAILABLE WITH NO AGE LIMITS OR INCOME GUIDELINES. BUSES HAVE SEATING AVAILABLE FOR UP TO 40 PASSENGERS. EACH BUS IS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE WITH TWO ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES. IF PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO USE THE DOOR, THEY MAY REQUEST THE USE OF THE LIFT. EACH DRIVER HAS BEEN TRAINED TO PROPERLY USE THE LIFT AND SECURE MOBILITY DEVICES WITH THE BUSES. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ARE USED FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, WHICH INCLUDE MEDICAL, NUTRITIONAL, SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, SHOPPING, WORK, SCHOOL, AND OTHER PERSONAL ACTIVITIES. DESTINATIONS INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO: GRAND FORKS, BEMIDJI, THIEF RIVER FALLS, FARGO/MOORHEAD, ROSEAU AND CROOKSTON. TRI-VALLEY TRANSPORTATION PROVIDES SAFE, FRIENDLY, AND DEPENDABLE TRANSPORTATION AT A REASONABLE PRICE.PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS FROM 2024:NUMBER OF RIDES PROVIDED- 170,707NUMBER OF SERVICE MILES PROVIDED- 486,616NUMBER OF HOURS PROVIDED- 40,898RURAL TRANSPORTATION COLLABORATIVE (RTC) IS A DIVISION OF THE TRI-VALLEY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT FOR TRI-VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL, INC.RTC IS A PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM THAT COORDINATES VOLUNTEER DRIVERS TO TRANSPORT THOSE WHO HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION OR CANNOT DRIVE. THE RTC DRIVERS DONATE THEIR TIME AND ARE REIMBURSED THE IRS RATE PER MILE THEY DRIVE TO COVER THE EXPENSES THEY INCUR WHILE ON THE ROAD (GAS, CAR MAINTENANCE, INSURANCE, ETC.)RTC IS A CURB TO CURB, MILEAGE BASED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VOLUNTEER DRIVER PROGRAM. PEOPLE ARE TRANSPORTED FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, COURT, VISITATIONS AND OTHER APPROVED PURPOSES. RTC VOLUNTEER DRIVERS ARE AVAILABLE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WITH EXTENDED HOURS.THE CORE SERVICE AREA IS POLK, RED LAKE, PENNINGTON, NORMAN, MAHNOMEN, MARSHALL, ROSEAU AND KITTSON COUNTIES. WE HAVE WORKING AGREEMENTS WITH MULTIPLE OTHER COUNTIES AND HAVE PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION TO CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE APPOINTMENTS AS FAR AS MINNEAPOLIS AND ROCHESTER AS WELL AS MANY NORTH DAKOTA DESTINATIONS.RURAL TRANSPORTATION COLLABORATIVE (RTC) STATISTICS FROM 2024:12,257.32 HOURS DONATED365,913 MILES DRIVEN 561 INDIVIDUALS TOOK 7,531 RIDES (EACH LEG OF TRIP IS A RIDE).
- $2.1 million spent. FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES:FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS INCLUDE A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS LIHEAP ENERGY ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY HOUSING SERVICES WHICH INCLUDES HOMELESSNESS AND PREVENTION SERVICES, CHILD CARE AWARE, EARLY LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS, SNAP OUTREACH, MNSURE OUTREACH, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER AND PEER SUPPORT SERVICES. LIHEAP - 2112 HOUSEHOLDS WERE PROVIDED UTILITY PAYMENTS TO ALLOW FAMILIES TO STAY WARM AND SECURELY HOUSED THROUGHOUT THE WINTER MONTHS THROUGH THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDED FURNACE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS FOR 282 HOUSEHOLDS WHO WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN UNABLE TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOME DUE TO LACK OF HEAT. EMERGENCY HOUSING SERVICES - BRIDGES, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RAPID REHOUSING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND AGASSIZ TOWNHOMES PROVED ONGOING RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO 518 HOUSEHOLDS THAT WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, UNDER 200% OF FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES AND EXPERIENCING EITHER A DISABILITY OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. FUNDING COMES THROUGH BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL HOUSING PROGRAMS.17 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE. CHILD CARE AWARE - PROVIDED COACHING TO 105 PROVIDERS AS THEY REACHED THEIR PARENT-AWARE STAR RATING. WAYFINDER STAFF ASSISTED 34 PROVIDERS TO GET LICENSED. EARLY LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS - PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO HELP PARENTS AFFORD HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE THAT PREPARES CHILDREN TO BE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN TO 110 FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS ASSISTED 740 FAMILIES WITH REFERRALS, ASSISTANCE AND PARENTING INFORMATION. 20 FAMILIES WERE ASSISTED WITH PEER SUPPORT SERVICES.SNAP OUTREACH - PROVIDED SNAP INFORMATION TO 15,000 HOUSEHOLDS AND INDIVIDUALS. ALSO PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO 143 HOUSEHOLDS IN COMPLETING OR RENEWING A SNAP APPLICATION. MNSURE PROGRAM ASSISTED 88 PEOPLE APPLYING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE.
- $1.2 million spent. FOOD PROGRAMS
- $1.5 million spent. HOMELESS/SHELTER AND ENERGY ASSISTANCE
- $1.5 million spent. RENTAL ACTIVITY, CORPORATE ACTIVITIES, SENIOR SERVICES, HOUSING/PROGRAM
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 December 1965.
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.