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Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

EIN 41-1366265 · Spicer, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LEARNING TO LIVE WELL WITH SELF, OTHERS & THE ENVIRONMENT. PRAIRIE WOODS ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER, COMMITTED TO PROVIDING OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE AN INDIVIDUAL AND SHARED COMMITTMENT TO THE RESPONSIBLE USE, MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.

Income
$745,704
Spending
$757,903
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 57%
Employees
22
Volunteers
114
Highest pay
$81,026, executive di

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: 86 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% 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

    11 of 11 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 (2)
  1. $391,525 spent. THE CHALLENGE COURSE (CC) AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EE) PROGRAMS SERVED OVER 7,605 AND 9,261 PARTICIPANTS, RESPECTIVELY, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THESE PROGRAMS PRIMARILY WORK WITH ORGANIZED GROUPS AND ARE DELIVERED THROUGH 1- TO 6-HOUR SESSIONS HELD EITHER ON-SITE AT PWELC OR AT OFF-SITE LOCATIONS. TO ENSURE HIGH-QUALITY FACILITATION AND SAFETY, INTERMITTENT PART-TIME STAFF ARE ENGAGED WHEN GROUP SIZES EXCEED 15 PARTICIPANTS. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS INSPIRE THOUSANDS OF PARTICIPANTS TO CONNECT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD AND DEVELOP SKILLS IN TEAMWORK, LEADERSHIP, AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS.
  2. $173,506 spent. THE YOUTH ECO SOLUTIONS (YES) PROGRAM OPERATES IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS AS AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY, CHALLENGING STUDENTS TO IDENTIFY AND SOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. IN 2024, 365 YES STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AND WORKSHOPS, DEDICATING 640 VOLUNTEER HOURS TOWARD IMPACTFUL CHANGE. ADDITIONALLY, YES COACHES CONTRIBUTED 155 HOURS, AND 42 COMMUNITY MEMBERS VOLUNTEERED OVER 140 HOURS TO SUPPORT TEAM PROJECTS. YES TEAM EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH INITIATIVES IMPACTED AN ADDITIONAL 985 STUDENTS, FOSTERING GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND ACTION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. APPROXIMATELY 80% OF THE YES PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS, WITH SUPPORT FROM TWO SIGNIFICANT GRANTS-MN LCCMR AND MN REGENTS IONE, BOTH OPERATING ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS. THE YOUTH ECO SOLUTIONS (YES) PROGRAM OPERATES IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS AS AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY, CHALLENGING STUDENTS TO IDENTIFY AND SOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. IN 2024, 365 YES STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AND WORKSHOPS, DEDICATING 640 VOLUNTEER HOURS TOWARD IMPACTFUL CHANGE. ADDITIONALLY, YES COACHES CONTRIBUTED 155 HOURS, AND 42 COMMUNITY MEMBERS VOLUNTEERED OVER 140 HOURS TO SUPPORT TEAM PROJECTS. YES TEAM EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH INITIATIVES IMPACTED AN ADDITIONAL 985 STUDENTS, FOSTERING GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND ACTION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. APPROXIMATELY 80% OF THE YES PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS, WITH SUPPORT FROM TWO SIGNIFICANT GRANTS-MN LCCMR AND MN REGENTS IONE, BOTH OPERATING ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS.

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 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 December 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 April 1980.

    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.