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Highland District Council

EIN 41-1373108 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Highland Dstrict Council mission is to foster opportunities for the people that live, learn, work and play in Highland Park to engage and connect with neighbors, businesses and local government and to help build a more vibrant, welcoming, and safe neighborhood.

Income
$231,903
Spending
$124,610
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 96%
Employees
2
Volunteers
35

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 104% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $9,800 spent. Commercial Corridor Grants from July 1, 2025 -June 30, 2026 -These funds are for two commercial corridors located within the Highland Park neighborhood. The first corridor on Ford Parkway/ Cleveland and Snelling is using the funds to improve the streetscape planters and trees in the Highland Village and gave away $28,000 in business grants to be used on corridor improvements. The second corridor is on West 7th Street -the HDC is using the money to put brackets and hanging baskets on 50 light posts as you enter St Paul. Also 10-12 custom highland park bike racks for the businesses in the area, and $43,000 in business grants for improvements like new signage, a mural, and patio improvements.
  2. $106,051 spent. Community Engagement - Inform and engage Highland Park residents regarding issues affecting the neighborhood. HDC maintains a website, Facebook page, participates in on-line forums, posts monthly emails and an annual report, convenes commmunity meetings, and has responded to well over 13,000 residents.
  3. $4,445 spent. Program Expenses- the annual meeting (100 people), helpf for seniors(25) Home Improvement Workshop Day (250) Music at the Bridge (900), Music at Wandering Leaf (300), Pizza and Movie at Sibley Manor (200) Movie Nights (300)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 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 November 6, 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 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 April 1980.

    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 November 4, 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.