Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Minnesota Dare

EIN 41-1693835 · St Bonifacius, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MINNESOTA D.A.R.E., INC. PROVIDES PREVENTION EDUCATION TO STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

Income
$185,919
Spending
$192,559
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
1
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$91,192, 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $192,559 spent. MINNESOTA D.A.R.E., INC. (MN DARE) PROVIDES PREVENTION EDUCATION TO STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. WE PROVIDE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO ENABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS TO INSTRUCT IN THEIR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. MN DARE ASSISTED IN THE TRAINING OF NEW DARE CERTIFIED OFFICERS AND PROVIDED CONTINUING EDUCATION. WE ASSISTED WITH THE SUMMER IN SERVICE TRAINING IN ALEXANDRIA, MN; ASSISTED CURRENT AND NEW DEPARTMENTS WITH THEIR PROGRAMS; AND EXPANDED TO INCLUDE SEVERAL NEW OR RETURNING DARE UNITS. MN DARE HOSTED A DARE GAME WITH THE TWINS, HOSTED A DARE DAY WITH THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, HOSTED A POSTER CONTEST, HOSTED A DARE CRUISE ON LAKE MINNETONKA AND HOSTED OUR ANNUAL GOLF SCRAMBLE. MINNESOTA DARE WORKED AT GETTING INFORMATION OUT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS REGARDING MANY HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES IMPACTING OUR MINNESOTA YOUTH. WE ALSO WORKED TO PROVIDE OUR MINNESOTA FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THESE ISSUES
  2. MN DARE CONTINUES TO ADDRESS IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING OUR COMMUNITIES VIOLENCE, BULLYING; SUICIDES; MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES; DE-ESCALATION; HEALTHY LIFESTYLES; ADDICTION - ESPECIALLY PAIN KILLERS TO HEROIN, ACCESS TO MARIJUANA, METHAMPHETAMINE AND SYNTHETIC DRUGS (ALL OF THIS PROGRAMMING INCLUDES STUDENTS, PARENTS, WORKPLACES, AND COMMUNITIES); ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND VAPING ISSUES AND ABUSE; AND EQUALITY/RACIAL ISSUES WHICH ARE CALLING FOR A RETURN TO COMMUNITY POLICING: COMMUNITIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKING TOGETHER. MN DARE CONTINUES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, DARE GRADUATIONS, AND HOSTING SPECIAL EVENTS. WE WORK TO PROVIDE POSITIVE ALTERNATIVES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. HISTORICALLY MN DARE SUPPORTED AND HELPED CONDUCT DARE OFFICER TRAINING. IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION TOOK ON A LEAD ROLE IN FULLY RUNNING 2, 2 WEEK TRAINING SESSION FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO BECOME CERTIFIED DARE OFFICERS TO BE ABLE TO CONDUCT DARE SESSIONS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOLS. THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING PROGRAM SERVICE GOING FORWARD IN ADDITIONAL TO HISTORICAL MN DARE PROGRAM SERVICES. THIS ENTAILED HANDLING ALL LOGISTICS FOR THE FACILITY AND ASSISTING WITH FINDING LODGING AS WELL AS PAYING COSTS FOR THINGS SUCH AS HIRING TRAINERS, PROVIDING TRAINING MATERIALS, ASSISTING WITH MEALS. MN DARE ALSO HANDLED RECEIPT OF FEES FROM POLICE DEPARTMENTS FOR THE COST OF THE TRAINING.

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 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 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 August 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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Ucare Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN), EIN 36-3573805. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.