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Sartell-St Stephen Educational Foundation

EIN 41-1878506 · Sartell, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN EDUCATION FOUNDATION (SSEF) SUPPORTS INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING FOR THE STUDENTS IN ISD 748. SSEF EMBRACES THE GOALS OF THE DISTRICT BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH 12TH GRADE, AS WELL AS PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATING SENIORS.

Income
$74,605
Spending
$82,831
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
86.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
0
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$13,000, executive consultant/president

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

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 86.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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, 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 (2)
  1. $52,078 spent. SSEF EVENTS ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE ISD# 748 STUDENTS, PARENTS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT SSEF AND TO PROVIDE RECOGNITION FOR SUPPORTING OUR MISSION OF INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING. SSEF EVENTS FOR 2025 INCLUDED THE SENIOR AWARDS PROGRAM, CHAMBER GOLF OUTING, AND TOAST OF AUTUMN. 11 GRANTS TOTALING $48,528 WERE AWARDED TO ISD#748 SARTELL-ST.STEPHEN FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD, ELEMENTARY, AND SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. GRANTS WERE AWARDED FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: CKLA DISCOVERIES THROUGH DRAMATIC PLAY AND ACTIVE LEARNING; SMS PHYSICAL EDUCATION DISC GOLF START-UP; SMS SABRE STRONG CART; SPEAKABLE.COM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL SPANISH; SMS UNIFIED CLUB; PARTS TUMBLER: DEBURR METAL TYPES WITH AN INNOVATIVE PROCESS; BOARD GAMES AND PUZZLES FOR MY SPECIAL; EDUCATION CLASS; NEW CLASS - HISTORY THROUGH FILMS AND GAMES; 3D PRINTER: BAMBU X1 CARBON FOR ENGINEERING AND ROBOTICS AT SHS; SARTELL HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN'S THEATRE PRODUCTION; AND INCLUSION FOR EVERYONE IN PE.
  2. $7,400 spent. 10 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO ISD# 748 SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN SENIORS.

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 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 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 March 1998.

    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.