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Bestprep

EIN 41-1265355 · Brooklyn Park, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BEST PREPARE MINNESOTA STUDENTS WITH BUSINESS, CAREER AND FINANCIAL LITERACY SKILLS THROUGH EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE SUCCESS IN WORK AND LIFE.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
43
Volunteers
5,000
Highest pay
$285,857, founder, sr. advisor

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

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    60 of 60 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 August 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 (6)
  1. $626,767 spent. EMENTORS EMPOWERS STUDENTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NEEDED FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL, CAREER, AND LIFE THROUGH WEEKLY ONE-ON-ONE EMAIL EXCHANGES WITH VOLUNTEER BUSINESS MENTORS. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES MOTIVATION, WORKPLACE SKILLS AND CAREER EXPLORATION. THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS VERSIONS FOCUSED ON STEM AND FINANCIAL LITERACY AND A CUSTOMIZED VERSION FOR AVID CLASSES. 3834 STUDENTS WERE MENTORED IN 2024-2025.
  2. $738,455 spent. MINNESOTA BUSINESS VENTURE IGNITES STUDENTS' PASSION TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS AND DEVELOP CAREER ASPIRATIONS IN A WEEK-LONG BUSINESS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT CAMP ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS. THE PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO WORK WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AND LEARN ABOUT CAREER PATHS AND FINANCIAL LITERACY. IN 2025, 386 STUDENTS ATTENDED, INCLUDING 47% FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND 75% STUDENTS OF COLOR.
  3. $323,166 spent. CLOUD COACH STRENGTHENS STUDENT MOTIVATION TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND BEYOND THROUGH EMAIL MENTORING. CLOUD COACH PAIRS A SCHOOL'S ENTIRE NINTH GRADE CLASS WITH MENTORS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. WITH THE MANTRA "THINK FORWARD/ACT NOW", CLOUD COACH ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO CONSIDER FUTURE ASPIRATIONS AND IDENTIFY STEPS TO TAKE NOW TO ACHIEVE GOALS. IN 2024-2025, 1,886 FROM SEVEN SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED.
  4. $442,518 spent. CLASSROOM PLUS INSPIRES STUDENTS TO CREATE A VISION FOR THE FUTURE THROUGH CAREER EXPLORATION VIA CLASSROOM SPEAKERS, CORPORATE CAREER DAYS, AND MOCK INTERVIEWS. PRESENTATION TOPICS INCLUDE LEADERSHIP, TEAMWORK, AND INTERVIEW SKILLS. 10,072 STUDENTS WERE SERVED IN 2024-2025.
  5. FINANCIAL MATTERS MOTIVATES STUDENTS TO MAKE SOUND MONEY MANAGEMENT DECISIONS AND BECOME FINANCIALLY SAVVY. INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS DELIVER CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS ON FINANCIAL TOPICS ENHANCED WITH PERSONAL STORIES FROM THEIR OWN JOURNEY. TOPICS INCLUDE MONEY, BUDGETING, CREDIT, INVESTING, AND TAX. DURING 2024-2025, 3601 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED.
  6. THE STOCK MARKET GAME TEACHES STUDENTS ABOUT ECONOMICS, INVESTING, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF A LONG-TERM SAVINGS STRATEGY. STUDENT TEAMS INVEST HYPOTHETICAL FUNDS IN COMMON STOCKS AND MUTUAL FUNDS. IT IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY AND FINANCIAL MARKETS ASSOCIATION. 13,400 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN 2024-2025.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 February 1976.

    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.