Passes our checks

Arcola Mills Historic Foundation

EIN 41-1724662 · Stillwater, MN

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

What it says it does

ARCOLA MILLS PRESERVES A NATURAL AND HISTORIC SITE ON THE ST. CROIX RIVER. OFFERING EDUCATION PROGRAMING AND HABIT RESTRATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 73% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15
Income fell 55% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
7 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15
Has a 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$66,722 spent. HABITAT RESTORATION - PHASE 1 - RECLAIMED 12 ACRES OF LAND FROM INVASIVE SPECIES. REPLANTED WITH TREES AND THOUSANDS OF NATIVE PLANTS. STABILIZED THE ST CROIX RIVERBANK IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE WITH NATIVE PLANTINGS TO SECURE THE BANKS FROM EROSION. BENEFITING THE ST CROIX RIVER AND THE COMMUNITIES OF THE VALLEY..
HABITAT RESTORATITION - POLLINATORS - PHASE 2 - PLANNING THE PREPARATION OF 3 ACRES OF LAND IN SPOTS THROUGHOUT THE FOREST AT ARCOLA MILLS, TO PUT IN BEDS OF POLLINATORS TO INCREASE THE BEE, BUTTERFLY AND BIRD POPULATIONS. BENEFITS THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANT PROPOGANDA - ARCOLA MILLS IS HOME TO 7 RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES. WE WORK WITH THE MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM-PLANT CONSERVATION PROGRAM AND THEIR VOLUNTEERS TO MONITOR AND COLLECT SEEDS TO PROPAGATE FOR PLANTING IN OTHER LOCATIONS IN MN. BENEFITS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 November 6, 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 December 1994.
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 November 4, 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.