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Life House Incorporated

EIN 41-1704840 · Duluth, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LIFE HOUSE WORKS TO RECONNECT HOMELESS AND STREET YOUTH TO THEIR DREAMS WITH A VISION THAT NO YOUTH WILL BE LEFT HOMELESS, ALONE, UNCARED FOR, OR FENDING FOR THEMSELVES ON THE STREETS. OUR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE MODEL AIMS TO ENGAGE AND STABILIZE YOUTH WHILE THEY HEAL AND WORK ON A PATH TO THRIVE.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
45
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$92,444, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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, 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 (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. THE HOUSING PROGRAM HAS 50 UNITS OF HOUSING WITH SUPPORTIVE CASE MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE DULUTH COMMUNITY. UNITS INCLUDE HOUSING FOR UNHOUSED YOUTH AND YOUNG FAMILIES, SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND YOUTH SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION AND SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS. THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS HOUSING CRISIS SERVICES AIMED AT PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION AND HOUSING IDENTIFICATION WITH DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS STREET YOUTH AND YOUNG FAMILIES; ASSISTANCE WITH ADVOCACY WITH LANDLORDS AND UTILITY COMPANIES AS NECESSARY.
  2. $560,290 spent. THE MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAM (MHWP) PROVIDES IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO NO-COST, NO INSURANCE REQUIRED MENTAL/CHEMICAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE MHWP PROVIDES DAILY SUPPORT AND ON-GOING SERVICES TO IMPROVE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPIRITUAL WELLNESS.
  3. $453,303 spent. THE YOUTH DROP-IN CENTER IS THE STARTING PLACE FOR YOUTH ACCESSING LIFE HOUSE'S SERVICES. YOUTH ARE ABLE TO ACCESS MEALS, BASIC NEEDS SUPPLIES, LAUNDRY, AND SHOWERS. A WIDE RANGE OF INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS CLASSES, ACTIVITIES, SUPPORT GROUPS, FIELD TRIPS, ETC. ARE OFFERED DAILY. THE YOUTH CENTER IS ALSO THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM, LOCATING AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUTH AND PROVIDING CRISIS NEEDS AND REFERRAL TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
  4. $244,037 spent. THE FUTURES EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM WORKS TO CONNECT YOUTH TO EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR LICENSED TEACHER WORKS WITH YOUTH TO EARN THEIR EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS. OUR EMPLOYMENT CASE MANAGER WORKS WITH YOUTH TO FIND AND KEEP EMPLOYMENT ON A PATH TO THRIVING. WE ALSO OFFER AN IN-HOUSE JOB TRAINING PROGRAM, CALLED THE LEGITIMATE HUSTLE PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS YOUTH A SAFE WAY TO EARN MONEY WHILE LEARNING JOB SKILLS AND CREATING THEIR OWN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE.

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

  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 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 May 1996.

    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.