Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

People Responding in Social Ministry

EIN 41-1442049 · Golden Valley, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES AND CONNECTIONS THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO BUILD HEALTHY, STABLE LIVES.PRISM IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1970 BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONCERNED ABOUT LOCAL HUNGRY AND HOMELESS FAMILIES. WHAT STARTED AS AN INFORMAL EFFORT HAS SINCE EVOLVED INTO A STRONG, SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATION THAT IS CONSIDERED A LEADING PROVIDER OF BASIC NEEDS SERVICES IN THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES AND CONNECTIONS THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO BUILD HEALTHY, STABLE LIVES. OUR CORE VALUES OF COLLABORATION, INNOVATION, DIGNITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY GUIDE OUR WORK. THE CONTINUED GENEROSITY OF THE COMMUNITY ENABLES US TO MEET THE FOOD, CLOTHING, AND HOUSING NEEDS TO NEARLY 16,492 LOW-INCOME CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND SENIORS EACH YEAR. PRISM'S MARKETPLACE FOOD SHELF SERVES EVERYONE: OTHER CORE SERVICES INCLUDE HOUSING AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, AND SHOP FOR CHANGE THRIFT SHOP, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$4.8 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
32
Volunteers
350
Highest pay
$147,837, executive director

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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% 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 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 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 (3)
  1. $3.2 million spent. MARKETPLACE FOOD SHELF - 1.18 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 7,017 FAMILIES (20,410 INDIVIDUALS). 5,394 POUNDS OF FOOD WERE DELIVERED THROUGH OUR VALUED PARTNERSHIP WITH JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICE OF MINNEAPOLIS. 36 % OF FOOD RECIPIENTS WERE CHILDREN, & 3,974 HOUSEHOLDS VISITED THE FOOD SHELF FOR THE FIRST TIME. 555,061 POUNDS OF FOOD WAS 'RESCUED' FROM LOCAL GROCERS.1,139 FAMILIES RECEIVED 56,075 POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE THROUGH PRISM'S SUMMER PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM. PRISM COORDINATES SNAP BENEFITS AT THE GOLDEN VALLEY FARMERS MARKET, ALLOWING 112 TRANSACTIONS FOR FRESH FOOD FROM LOCAL FARMERS.CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS BROUGHT JOY AND STABILITY TO 1,457 CHILDREN THIS YEAR BY PROVIDING SCHOOL SUPPLIES, NEW HOLIDAY GIFTS, BABY ESSENTIALS, AND SPECIAL BIRTHDAY PRESENTS.ACCESS TO NUTRIENT-DENSE FOOD IS ESSENTIAL FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING PHYSICAL HEALTH, COGNITIVE FUNCTION, AND DISEASE PREVENTION FOR ADULTS AND OLDER ADULTS.
  2. $409,024 spent. HOUSING PROGRAMS - 1,423 FAMILIES WERE SCREENED AND 97 RECEIVED RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT EVICTION. DUE TO LIMITED FUNDING, INCREASED SPENDING RESTRICTIONS, AND HIGHER RENT AVERAGES, WE ASSISTED SLIGHTLY FEWER PARTICIPANTS THAN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.THE HOUSING PROGRAM PROVIDES EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, LANDLORD MEDIATION, SUPPORT WITH ENERGY ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS, AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES. FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN THE HOUSING PROGRAM CAN ALSO ACCESS THE MARKETPLACE FOOD SHELF, SHOP FOR CHANGE THRIFT SHOP, AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS TO STRETCH THEIR BUDGETS AS THEY WORK TOWARD LONG-TERM STABILITY.
  3. $416,215 spent. SHOP FOR CHANGE THRIFT SHOP - 100% OF PROCEEDS FROM SHOP FOR CHANGE THRIFT SHOP SUPPORTS PRISM'S PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS. PRICES ARE LOWER THAN COMPETING STORES, MAKING PROPER CLOTHING ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. THE SHOP GENERATED OVER $379K IN REVENUE, AN 8% INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THIS SOCIAL ENTERPRISE WELCOMES ALL, AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS 'SHOP' WITH A CASE MANAGER TO GATHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS SUCH AS BLANKETS, COATS, BEDDING, AND WINTER ATTIRE. THE SHOP IS STOCKED WITH DONATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND IS STAFFED PRIMARILY BY VOLUNTEERS. COMMUNITY MEMBERS VOLUNTEERED FOR 7,719 HOURS.

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 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 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 September 1993.

    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.