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Cookie Cart

EIN 41-1866804 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Cookie Cart teaches life, leadership, and employment skills to young people through on-the-job and classroom experiences in nonprofit bakeries.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
-2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
144
Volunteers
37
Highest pay
$112,785, director of operations & social enterprise

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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

    15 of 15 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 June 30, 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. $735,384 spent. Youth Development: The Organization's employment program is a first job experience designed to build career readiness, leadership, and life skills for teens ages 14-18. Through paid work-based learning, youth gain real-world experience in a supportive, skill-building environment. Participants work up to 9 hours/week during the school year and up to 9-15 hours/week in the summer, engaging in a structured pathway that promotes growth in five key areas: Interpersonal Skills and Critical Thinking, Goal Orientation, Employment Readiness, Citizenship, and Financial Literacy. Cookie Cart's programming typically serves 150-200 young people annually, a majority of which qualify for free or reduced lunch and over 95 percent are from communities of color.
  2. $393,354 spent. Production: The Organization's bakeries serve as classrooms where youth build essential skills for future success. Young people have the option to obtain industry-recognized certifications, including the Northstar Digital Literacy Certificate, ServSafe Food Handler Certification (MN Dept. of Health standards), and the National Career Readiness Certification (ACT), and they also participate in career exposure activities such as workplace visits, college tours, and career panels, helping them envision and plan for their futures.
  3. $225,919 spent. Customer Service and Community Outreach: Provides youth with dynamic opportunities to apply their customer service training in real-world settings. Whether greeting customers at the bakery counter, managing transactions, or representing the Organization at community events, teens practice essential workplace skills such as communication, professionalism, and problem-solving.Youth learn how to promote the Organization's mission and products, especially the signature cookies, by engaging with customers, sharing the story of the organization, and encouraging community support. These experiences help teens understand the importance of brand representation, product knowledge, and relationship building in a business environment.In addition to in-store interactions, youth participate in pop-up shops, tabling events, and corporate outreach, where they gain exposure to marketing strategies and sales techniques. These activities reinforce their understanding of how customer service connects to broader business goals and community impact.By selling cookies and promoting the bakery, youth not only contribute to the sustainability of the Organization, they also build confidence, develop entrepreneurial thinking, and strengthen their ability to advocate for themselves and their community.
  4. $15,937 spent. Community Engagement & Volunteer Impact: Volunteers and employer partners play a vital role in expanding youth horizons. Through mock interviews, workplace visits, and mentorship, volunteers help teens build confidence, network, and explore diverse career paths. These experiences reinforce the belief: "If you can see it, you can dream it.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 1997.

    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.