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Southwest Options for Women

EIN 41-1687653 · Eden Prairie, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOUTHWEST OPTIONS FOR WOMEN IS A MEDICAL PREGNANCY CENTER DEDICATED TO SERVING WOMEN FACING UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES WITH COMPASSIONATE, JUDGMENT-FREE CARE. WE PROVIDE FREE SERVICES INCLUDING PREGNANCY TESTING, LIMITED OBSTETRIC ULTRASOUNDS, AND STD TESTING, ALONGSIDE COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT PROGRAMS SUCH AS SWOW MOMS MENTORSHIP, REPRODUCTIVE LOSS RECOVERY, AND A RESOURCE BOUTIQUE FOR ESSENTIAL BABY ITEMS. WHILE WE ARE A LIFE-AFFIRMING ORGANIZATION, WE ENSURE EVERY WOMAN IS FULLY INFORMED OF HER OPTIONS SO SHE FEELS SUPPORTED AND EMPOWERED TO CHOOSE LIFE. AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO IS THE BELIEF THAT EVERY HEARTBEAT MATTERS.

Income
$488,826
Spending
$418,801
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
17.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
8
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$100,962, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $365,935 spent. MEDICAL SERVICES - SOUTHWEST OPTIONS FOR WOMEN'S LARGEST PROGRAM IS ITS LIFE-AFFIRMING MEDICAL CARE FOR WOMEN FACING UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES. THIS INCLUDES FREE PREGNANCY TESTING, LIMITED OBSTETRIC ULTRASOUNDS, STD TESTING, AND NURSE CONSULTATIONS. THESE SERVICES ARE OFTEN THE FIRST STEP IN HELPING WOMEN UNDERSTAND THEIR PREGNANCY STATUS AND CONSIDER THEIR OPTIONS IN A COMPASSIONATE, NON-JUDGMENTAL ENVIRONMENT. BY EQUIPPING WOMEN WITH ACCURATE MEDICAL INFORMATION, WE EMPOWER THEM TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS - SUPPORTING MANY IN CHOOSING LIFE FOR THEIR UNBORN CHILDREN.SWOW MOMS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM - THE SWOW MOMS PROGRAM OFFERS INDIVIDUALIZED MENTORSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL CLASSES THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH, AND EARLY PARENTING. WOMEN ARE PAIRED WITH TRAINED MENTORS WHO PROVIDE EMOTIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT, PARENTING EDUCATION, GOAL-SETTING ASSISTANCE, AND PRACTICAL LIFE COACHING. THIS PROGRAM FOSTERS LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS AND HELPS WOMEN BUILD CONFIDENCE AND STABILITY AS THEY PREPARE TO PARENT.RESOURCE BOUTIQUE - THROUGH OUR ON-SITE BOUTIQUE, WOMEN CAN EARN ESSENTIAL BABY AND MATERNITY SUPPLIES INCLUDING DIAPERS, FORMULA, CLOTHING, STROLLERS, CAR SEATS, AND MORE BY PARTICIPATING IN OUR MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. THIS INCENTIVE-BASED MODEL ENCOURAGES ONGOING ENGAGEMENT WHILE MEETING TANGIBLE NEEDS THAT SUPPORT A WOMAN'S CHOICE FOR LIFE. ON OCCASION, LIMITED EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RENT OR UTILITIES HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO HELP STABILIZE A WOMAN'S SITUATION.

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 September 1992.

    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.

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