Cornerstone Advocacy Service
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Cornerstone disrupts violence through advocacy, support, and prevention. We partner with individuals, families, and organizations to build communities free of harm.
- Income
- $6.8 million
- Spending
- $6.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 8.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 86%
- Employees
- 119
- Volunteers
- 99
- Highest pay
- $215,401, executive director
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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (7)
- $1.3 million spent. Day One Minnesota:Day One is a statewide program that operates a 24/7 call center, providing immediate access to safety and services for those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking. Day One maintains a secure and confidential online database allowing victim service agencies the ability to share information about available bed space and services. The Minnesota Day One Crisis Line immediately connects the caller directly to a safe location; annually, over 40,000 victim/survivors or concerned persons are immediately connected to an advocate. Day One also provides transportation for victims to reach safety throughout the state and provides leadership through collective victim service agencies, other professionals and community members to decrease barriers to access. Day One leads four collective Initiatives, including a partnership with Communication Services for the Deaf.
- $917,682 spent. Community and Economic Empowerment Services (CEES):The Community and Economic Empowerment Services Program focuses specifically on helping victims achieve both safety and long term economic security. The program includes individual economic advocacy, financial literacy, matched savings accounts, employment planning and a variety of group supportive and educational services. All of our CEES Advocates work to help support victims as they deal with the practical problems of living that have resulted from the violence and abuse. Cornerstone's supportive housing component, SAFE (Safely Achieving Full Empowerment), combined two years of affordable housing and intensive supportive services for 39 adults and children in 2025. SAFE families receive affordable housing as they work with Cornerstone staff to address their goal plans, participate in job readiness training, and financial empowerment courses. Cornerstone's Rapid Rehousing program served 52 adults and children in 2025 through the provision of rental and utility assistance, and ongoing supports as they became stabilized.
- $1.0 million spent. Emergency Services:Cornerstone's Emergency Services program addresses the need for life saving crisis intervention and safe housing for those in imminent danger of interpersonal violence. Crisis advocates maintain a 24 hour/7 day a week phone line and ensure callers receive the resources they need, including transportation to our shelter. If pets are in need of boarding and safety, we utilize our Protection for Pets Program. Cornerstone's 35-bed Emergency Shelter is a departure from the traditional communal-living model, instead designed with family living spaces, one of which is wheelchair accessible. This allows for privacy, respects cultural diversity and provides a home-like environment in a time of crisis. Having the shelter connected to Cornerstone's comprehensive community-based programming allows families full access to our complete continuum of services for adults and children. When the shelter is full or when shelter is not an appropriate option, Cornerstone partners with local hotels and motels in order to provide immediate safe housing to victims. In 2025, we provided 111 adults and children with safe housing in our Emergency Services program.
- $809,326 spent. Criminal and Civil Justice Intervention (CCJI)CCJI Advocates function as a liaison between victims and the judicial system in criminal court proceedings as well as at the civil level. Cornerstone also facilitates partnerships in the criminal justice system with local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and the courts to improve the justice process and protect victims by utilizing a Lethality Screen, increasing offender accountability and developing best practices for law enforcement response to domestic calls. In 2025, we served 1270 victim/survivors in this program.
- $518,736 spent. General Crime ProgramOur General Crime Advocates provide advocacy, resources, outreach and support to those who have experienced any type of crime victimization and administers the State of Minnesota's Crime Victim Emergency Fund. In 2025, we provided emergency funds and/or advocacy to 738 crime victims.
- $383,176 spent. Clinical ServicesCornerstone has earned a reputation as a leader in implementing innovative services to assist survivors of interpersonal violence. Our Clinical Services program provided individual therapy and support group services to 95 adults and children.
- $318,791 spent. School-Based ServicesCornerstone's School-Based Services includes individual advocacy and violence education and prevention presentations on topics like consent and dating violence. 11,258 students participated in these presentations in 2025 and 175 students received individual advocacy.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1984.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.