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Family Pathways

EIN 41-1332828 · North Branch, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Family Pathways works alongside people to enhance lives through a continuum of essential services and, together with community, champions positive social change.

Income
$13.7 million
Spending
$13.6 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
-0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
282
Volunteers
525
Highest pay
$150,382, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 43% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 25

    8 of 8 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $5.6 million spent. Food Access Services: Family Pathways operates the largest hunger relief program in east central Minnesota and Polk County, Wisconsin. The Organization actively works to correct disparities to ensure all people have what they need to achieve and maintain health, well-being, and prosperity. Family Pathways has nine food shelves as of June 30, 2025 in Cambridge, Chisago City, Forest Lake, North Branch, Onamia, Pine City, and Sandstone, Minnesota, and Frederic and St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. The Organization operates a mobile food shelf and provides doorstep delivery. These programs collect and distribute food and personal items to individuals and families experiencing crisis situations. The Food Shelf Coordinators work alongside people to assess immediate needs and develop plans for long-range self-sufficiency.
  2. $4.8 million spent. Social Enterprise: Family Pathways' Social Enterprise department generates ongoing revenues that support Family Pathways' programs and services through thrift store sales, ecommerce sales and recycling programs. This department builds ecological awareness in the community by encouraging recycling efforts and promoting the re-use of clothing and household good. We offer local employment opportunities and offer low cost clothing and household goods to those in need.
  3. $1.5 million spent. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services: Family Pathways helps people break the cycle of abuse and heal through advocacy, emergency sheltering, parenting support, and intervention programming. The Organization provides supervised and monitored parenting time to assure that children have safe contact with noncustodial family members. This service is offered as a tool to assist families as they navigate difficult times and transition. Often court ordered, supervised and monitored parenting time supports parent/child relationship and keeps families connected.
  4. $415,397 spent. Aging Services: Family Pathways provides support to aging individuals and their caregivers by providing home-based services that assist older adults in light housekeeping and homemaking tasks. Family Pathways also provides support to caregivers by providing consultation, education, and support to equip caregivers with the knowledge, skills and tools to achieve a balanced lifestyle while caring for another person. Family Pathways offers support to isolated older adults by providing sunshine calls to ensure the continued well-being of the individual and social contact.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 December 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.