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Phoenix Alternatives Inc

EIN 41-1675509 · White Bear Lake, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PAI PROVIDES DAY, EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMMING TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, FOSTERING PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH LEARNING, VOLUNTEERING, THE ARTS, SOCIAL CONNECTIONS, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE.

Income
$6.9 million
Spending
$7.0 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
269
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$151,137, president

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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 (1)
  1. $5.9 million spent. PAI SERVED 275 PEOPLE IN 2024, LEVERAGING THREE LOCATIONS IN RAMSEY COUNTY AND ONE LOCATION IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA. INDIVIDUALIZED HOME SUPPORT AND RESPITE (IHSR) SERVICES WERE ADDED IN 2024, PROVIDING ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES, AT HOME AND IN THE COMMUNITY. PAI DAY AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMING INCLUDES LIFE SKILLS, EMPLOYMENT READINESS, PAID WORK OPTIONS, VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS, PET THERAPY WITH CERTIFIED TEAMS, PROFESSIONAL MUSIC THERAPY, VOLUNTEERING AND A WIDE ARRAY OF OTHER COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES. FAMILY MEMBERS AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY BENEFIT FROM THE PERSONAL GROWTH, LIFE SKILLS, SELF-ADVOCACY AND INDEPENDENCE THAT PARTICIPANTS GAIN, INCLUDING INCREASED PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL CAPACITY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHERS CLOSEST TO PAI PARTICIPANTS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 February 1991.

    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.