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Passes our checks

Minnesota Council on Foundations

EIN 41-1269275 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MCF is a vibrant philanthropic community connecting, strengthening and mobilizing the power of philanthropy to advance prosperity and equity.

Income
$6.4 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
12
Volunteers
120
Highest pay
$202,716, 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

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 44% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 115% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 (3)
  1. $918,475 spent. Supporting Minnesota Communities: The Minnesota Council on Foundations engages with nonprofit organizations and partners to strengthen the practice of philanthropy, build relationships between philanthropy and the community, and promote community engagement and civic health. In 2024, this included grant support for organizations engaged in voter education on new election laws and voting rights and the launch of Press Forward Minnesota, the Minnesota chapter of a national movement to strengthen democracy by revitalizing local news and information.
  2. $1.1 million spent. Membership Services:MCF conducts a wide range of training and professional development opportunities for grantmakers, and creates opportunities for peer networking and learning within the field. Programs include: grantmaking skills; briefings on current events and issues; foundation type and issue based peer networks; and trends in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. MCF provides programming and peer learning opportunities in a range of issues related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. MCF's government relations and public policy program provides education, training and peer networks to its members, encouraging the incorporation of public policy and advocacy into grantmaking, in adherence with professional and legal practices. MCF responds to public policy issues related to the field of philanthropy, and advances public policy issues related to strengthening democracy.
  3. $1.2 million spent. Public Awareness:MCF educates the public, nonprofit organizations, the media, government and elected officials about philanthropy, trends in the field, and the grantmaking process. This occurs through the publication of MCF Notes, MCF Giving Memo, Giving in Minnesota report, and working directly with the media and the interested public. Data used to inform the public is generated through surveys of philanthropy and through national databases including a 3-year commitment to work with Impala. The Press Forward MN effort, hosted at MCF, aims to increase public awareness about the connection between quality local news and information and civic health.

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 October 13, 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 February 1978.

    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 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.