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Minnesota Family Institute

EIN 41-1439560 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MINNESOTA FAMILY INSTITUTE (MFI) IS A NON-PROFIT CHARITABLE CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION THAT STRENGTHENS THE FAMILIES OF MINNESOTA BY ADVANCING BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES IN THE PUBLIC ARENA, FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE GOOD OF SOCIETY. MFI ACCOMPLISHES ITS MISSION THROUGH EDUCATION, TRAINING, RESEARCH AND NON-PARTISAN VOTER PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES, TRAINING AND ENCOURAGING CHURCHES AND INDIVIDUALS TO ENGAGE IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE WITH A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW AS "SALT AND "LIGHT" (MATTHEW 5:16-16). MFI ADDRESSES THE CIVIC, MORAL, ECONOMIC, LEGAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES THAT INFLUENCE THE FAMILY IN THE PUBLIC AREA.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$155,539, president/ceo

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

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 80% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 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 (1)
  1. $1.4 million spent. MINNESOTA FAMILY INSTITUTE (MFI) ISSUED INFORMATIONAL UPDATES AND COMMENTARIES SENT OUT TO THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES VIA EMAIL AND DIRECT MAIL. THESE COMMUNICATIONS FEATURE INSIDE INFORMATION ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY DURING THE SESSIONS, CULTURAL ANALYSIS AND INSIGHTFUL PRO-FAMILY PERSPECTIVE ON NEWS AND ISSUES IMPACTING THE FAMILY IN THE PUBLIC ARENA FROM A CHRISTIAN, BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW PERSPECTIVE. MFI PARTNERED WITH HUNDREDS OF CHURCHES AROUND THE STATE THROUGH OUR CHURCH AMBASSADOR NETWORK TO EQUIP PASTORS AND CONGREGANTS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE FAMILY IN THE PUBLIC ARENA, IN ORDER TO ENGAGE AS A WINSOME, "SALT AND LIGHT" INFLUENCE IN ELECTIONS AND POLICY. MFI FURTHER EQUIPPED PASTORS WITH HISTORICAL AND BIBLICAL INFORMATION ON THEIR KEY ROLE AS MORAL AND SPIRITUAL LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND ENGAGED THEM WITH LEGISLATORS IN OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMAND OF 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4, TO PRAY FOR LEADERS AND ALL WHO ARE IN AUTHORITY. THESE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN A TREMENDOUS ENCOURAGEMENT TO BOTH PASTORS AND LEGISLATORS.THE UPDATED VERSION OF MFI'S ACCLAIMED PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE CONTINUED EDUCATING AND EQUIPPING PARENTS SO THEY CAN ENGAGE POSITIVELY AND CONSTRUCTIVELY WITH THEIR CHILD'S SCHOOL OFFICIALS REGARDING THE TRANSGENDER TREND, BOTH NATIONALLY IN THE U.S. AND INTERNATIONALLY, WHERE IT HAS BEEN TRANSLATED AND ADAPTED FOR USE IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THE PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE CLARIFIES CONFUSING TERMINOLOGY, DESCRIBES THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF THE TRANSGENDER TREND, DEBUNKS POPULAR MYTHS WITH SCIENCE AND LEGAL FACTS, AND OFFERS A WEALTH OF CONSTRUCTIVE IDEAS FOR PARENTS WHO WANT TO WORK WITH THEIR SCHOOLS TO FOSTER A GENUINELY INCLUSIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE BASED ON TRUE COMPASSION.MFI DEFENDED BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY AND JUSTICE IN THE COURTS THROUGH ITS LEGAL ARM, TRUE NORTH LEGAL, AND AN ALLIED NETWORK OF CHRISTIAN ATTORNEYS TRAINED TO COUNTER GROUPS LIKE THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION AND OTHERS TRYING TO SILENCE CHRISTIANS IN THE PUBLIC ARENA OR RESTRICT FREE EXERCISE OF THEIR FAITH IN VIOLATION OF THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS, AND EQUIPPED PARENTS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND CANDIDATES, CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN CITIZENS TO FULLY EXERCISE THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. THIS HAS PROVED ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR DEFENDING INDIVIDUALS AGAINST RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION WITH RESPECT TO VACCINE MANDATES AND PARENTS RIGHTS TO DIRECT THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 June 1984.

    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.