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North House Folk School

EIN 41-1878887 · Grand Marais, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENRICH LIVES AND BUILD COMMUNITY BY TEACHING TRADITIONAL NORTHERN CRAFTS IN A STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT INSPIRES THE HANDS, HEART AND MIND.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
22
Highest pay
$105,706, executive di

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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 (3)
  1. $1.8 million spent. CENTRAL TO NORTH HOUSE EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS TO "ENRICH LIVES AND BUILD COMMUNITY THROUGH THE TEACHING OF TRADITIONAL NORTHERN CRAFTS" ARE ITS YEAR-ROUND OFFERINGS OF COURSES. IN A TYPICAL YEAR, OVER 400 CLASSES FEATURING THE LEADERSHIP OF 160+ REGIONAL ARTISANS BRING ALIVE THE STORIES AND SKILLS CONNNECTED TO TRADITIONS RANGING FROM MOOSE-HIDE MUKLUK MAKING TO TIMBER FRAME SAUNA BUILDING, INTRO TO BLACKSMITHING TO CEDAR-STRIP CANOE BUILDING, GREEN-WOOD BOWN CARVING TO WOOD-FIRED BREAD BAKING. CLASSES RANGE IN LENGTH FROM 4 HOURS TO TEN DAYS, WITH SMALL GROUPS OF STUDENTS LEARNING IN COLLABORATION WITH A HIGHLY SKILLED ARTISAN INSTRUCTOR.
  2. $163,883 spent. BUILDING COMMUNITY IS ALSO CENTRAL TO NORTH HOUSE'S YEAR-ROUND EFFORTS INCLUE THREE KEY SEASONAL COMMUNITY EVENTS (WOODEN BOAT SHOW IN JUNE, UNPLUGGED & THE FOLK ARTISAN MARKETPLACE IN SEPTEMBER, WINTERER'S GATHERING & ARTIC FILM FESTIVAL IN NOVEMBER), FREQUENT PUBLIC SPEAKERS AT KEY EVENTS AND ALIGNED WITH KEY THEMATIC PROGRAM WEEKS, MINI-WORKSHOPS FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS TO CAMPUS, AND AN INSTRUCTOR-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM. AS A PUBLIC SERVICE, THESE EFFORTS ARE LARGELY OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE OR AT REDUCED RATES AS PART OF STRENGTHENING NORTH HOUSE'S CONNECTION TO ITS LOCAL COMMUNITY, THESE COMMUNITY EFFORTS ENGAGE 10,000+ INDIVIDUALS IN A TYPICAL YEAR.
  3. $295,583 spent. NORTH HOUSE IS FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH A KEY FUNDING PARTNER AS PART OF ITS COMMUNTIY OF CRAFT INITIATIVE WHICH ACTIVELY OFFERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE TRADITIONAL CRAFT ARTISANS WHO TEACH OR COLLABORATE WITH THE SCHOOL. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE: AN ANNUAL INSTRUCTOR RETREAT FEATURING COURSES, SEMINARS, PEER ENGAGEMENT AND PLANNING SESSIONS; A TEN-MONTH TRADITIONAL CRAFT PROGRAM INTERNSHIP DESIGNED TO ENGAGE POST- COLLEGE PARTICIPANTS INTERESTED IN EDUCATION AND NONPROFIT ADMINISTRATION; A TWO-YEAR ARTISAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO ADVANCE THE POTENTIAL OF EMERGING ARTISANS; AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF LEADERSHIP FOR BOTH OUR YEAR-ROUND CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTOR PARTNERSHIPS. NORTH HOUSE WORKS ANNUALLY WITH 200+ ARTISANS AT ALL LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT.

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 October 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.