Knute Nelson
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Knute Nelson is to enrich the lives of everyone we serve. We have five core values - Christian Heritage, Valuing People, Customer-Focused Excellence, Community Engagement and Stewardship.
- Income
- $69.6 million
- Spending
- $68.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- -1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 96%
- Employees
- 1,042
- Volunteers
- 225
- Highest pay
- $667,572, president/ceo
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
Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 62% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 364% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 2512 of 12 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 (1)
- $40.0 million spent. Knute Nelson served over 8,500 older adults throughout their care continuum. This expansive continuum of care includes: Care Center, Short-Term Rehab Center, Skilled Memory Care, Assisted Living, Enhanced Assisted Living, Memory Care Assisted Living, Senior Living, Out-Patient Therapy, Wellness, Home Care, Home Health, Hospice, Population Health, Telehealth, Management Consulting, Pioneer Grill and Catering. Partnerships extend the breadth and depth of services such as Ethos Home Care and Hospice in Fargo-Moorhead; Alexandria Area YMCA in Alexandria; Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls; Crystal Brook Senior Living in Park Rapids; Pelican Valley Senior Living in Pelican Rapids; Centrex Rehab in Bloomington; and Care Ventures Cooperative in Dassel.Knute Nelson, and its managed partners, has 1,000+ employees and over 225 volunteers making it one of the top four employers in Alexandria. Within the skilled nursing facility, we have a short-term rehab unit, rehabilitation program, and care suites for end-of-life programming. We also have a wellness program that provides classes for residents, activities, and a chaplaincy program; all which enhance their quality of living. Our chaplaincy program is guided by Christian principles. All faiths are celebrated here and our chaplain provides a wide range of spiritual care through worship service, bible study groups, and resident and family support.The skilled nursing facility served individuals with their short- and long-term nursing and therapy needs. An increasing area of focus is our short-term rehab center where individuals receive necessary physical, speech, and occupational therapies and return back to their home. Knute Nelson accepts all payor sources: Medicare, Medicaid, insurance, and private pay. If a resident is unable to pay for their services, we will work with them to find a means to pay for their services and help them facilitate the application process for medical assistance through family members, Knute Nelson and Horizon Public Health Social Services. The goal of the Knute Nelson Home Health Care program is to help individuals stay in their own home as long as possible. We are able to help individuals of any age with non-clinical needs as well as skilled nursing services, physical, speech and occupational therapies, IV therapy, wound care, home health aide, or assessment and management of their medical needs. We serve individuals throughout 43 counties throughout the Central and West Central Regions of Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota. Knute Nelson Hospice cares for people with life-limiting illnesses utilizing a holistic approach, including medical, physical, emotional, social and spiritual care for patients and families. Hospice provides a wide range of services from skilled nursing, medication and pain management, home health aides, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social workers and Chaplains. Additionally, enriching services such as massage, therapeutic music and healing touch are provided. Hospice is provided wherever the patient calls home--in their own homes, nursing facilities or other housing locations. Bereavement services and follow-up care are also a part of the hospice program. Our assisted living facility, Nelson Gables, promotes independence, security and quality of life. Daily coffee hour, restaurant style meal program, active aging wellness classes, parties and outings keep residents as active as they wish to be. A 24-hour staff, under the direction of a registered nurse, is ready to offer assistance with medication management, medication administration, bathing, and personal care. Grand Arbor, registered through Knute Nelson Senior Living Campus, LLC, is an enhanced continuing care retirement community that encourages active lifestyles with a town center and wellness center set among senior living apartments; general and high acuity assisted living apartments; and memory care assisted living apartments. A 24-hour licensed staff, under the direction of a registered nurse, is able to offer assistance with medication management, medication administration, bathing, and other personal care.Knute Nelson has expanded its management consulting services to offer sought-out expertise to other senior living providers. Partnerships extend throughout Knute Nelson's geographic footprint and allow for an enhanced level of service to other providers, including Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls (Little Falls, MN), Crystal Brook Senior Living (Park Rapids, MN), Pelican Valley Senior Living (Pelican Rapids, MN), and Ethos Home Care & Hospice (Fargo, ND).
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 May 2024.
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.