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Independent Lifestyles Inc - a Center for Independent Living

EIN 41-1871141 · Sauk Rapids, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A TEAM PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE AND CHOICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

Income
$7.7 million
Spending
$7.1 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
185
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$227,396, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 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 (5)
  1. $2.3 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN LEARNING NEW & HEALTHY INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS. AREAS OF SKILLS TRAINING INCLUDE: SELF-ESTEEM, COMMUNICATION, RELATIONSHIPS, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, COOKING/NUTRITION, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND BENEFITS MANAGEMENT. THE SKILLS TRAINING IS PROVIDED AT THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL AND ALSO IN A GROUP SETTING. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE SERVICES TO PERSONS WHEN THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION HAS DETERMINED THEY ARE UNABLE TO MANAGE THEIR FINANCES. THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS PERSONS TO MEET PRIMARY NEEDS AND LEARN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS SO THEY CAN LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS THE SAME SKILLS TRAINING FOR YOUTH AGES 14-22 AS IT DOES FOR ADULTS IN THE INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM.
  2. $2.6 million spent. PCA (PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT) CHOICE - THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO GIVE THE CONSUMER THE GREATEST CONTROL OVER THEIR PCA CARE. THE ORGANIZATION ACTS AS A FISCAL INTERMEDIARY FOR THE CONSUMER AND THEIR PCA'S BUT HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE CARE OF THE CONSUMER. AS THE FISCAL INTERMEDIARY, THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BILLING DHS FOR SERVICES, PCA PAYROLL, PAYING AND WITHHOLDING TAXES, INSURANCES, DOING BACKGROUND CHECKS, MAINTAINING AGREEMENTS AND STATEMENT OF NEED.
  3. $29,412 spent. THE ORGANIZATION HAS PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AS PEER MENTORS TO OFFER SUPPORT, SOCIALIZATION AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION TO CLIENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH DISABILITY ISSUES. A PEER NETWORK IS ALSO OFFERED BY THE ORGANIZATION AS PART OF THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM. PERSONS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MEETING OTHER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN INPUT THEIR INFORMATION INTO THE PEER NETWORK DATABASE AND LOCATE OTHERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR NEW FRIENDSHIPS. A COMPUTER IS AVAILABLE FOR USE AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICE. INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES, INC., A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING ALSO OFFERS SOCIAL ACTIVITY GROUPS WHICH MEET AT LEAST FOUR TIMES A MONTH.
  4. $1.8 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES WITH INFORMATION ON DISABILITY RELATED TOPICS AND REFERRALS TO OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES. THE ORGANIZATION IS ALSO ACTIVE IN WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY, COUNTY, AS WELL AS STATE AND FEDERAL ENTITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR RIGHTS AND SERVICES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. SERVICED 2,491 CLIENTS IN TOTAL.
  5. THE ORGANIZATION CAN ASSIST CONSUMERS IN MAKING THEIR HOMES AND VEHICLES MORE ACCESSIBLE. STAFF WILL PROVIDE HOME ASSESSMENTS, DESIGN RAMPS AND ASSIST CONSUMERS IN FINDING FUNDING FOR THESE PROJECTS. STAFF ALSO PROVIDES SURVEYS TO COMMUNITY ENTITIES TO ASSIST THEM IN COMPLYING WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 June 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 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.