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Conservation Corps

EIN 41-1881102 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF CONSERVATION CORPS OF MINNESOTA & IOWA (CCMI) IS TO ENGAGE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IN MEANINGFUL SERVICE, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. THE ORGANIZATION'S VISION IS A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE HAS EQUITABLE ACCESS TO NATURE, IS EQUIPPED TO SUCCEED IN CAREER AND LIFE, AND IS EMPOWERED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN CONSERVING NATURAL RESOURCES.

Income
$12.3 million
Spending
$12.3 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 63%
Employees
275
Volunteers
870
Highest pay
$176,573, executive director

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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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. $7.7 million spent. FIELD CREWS: PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS, AGES 18 TO 30, INCLUDING NONRESIDENTIAL CREWS IN NORTHERN, CENTRAL, AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND CENTRAL IOWA THAT ENGAGE MEMBERS IN NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DISASTER RESPONSE WORK FROM FEBRUARY TO DECEMBER. SEASONAL TRAIL CREWS SPIKE CAMP FOR WEEK-LONG STRETCHES WHILE THEY IMPROVE THE TRAILS IN NORTHERN FORESTS AND STATE AND NATIONAL PARKS. AMERICORPS MEMBERS RECEIVE A MONTHLY STIPEND, HEALTH INSURANCE, AND AN EDUCATION AWARD FOR COLLEGE EXPENSES. BESIDE CAREER AND WORK-SKILLS TRAINING, MEMBERS RECEIVE CERTIFICATIONS IN WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION, DEFENSIVE DRIVING, CHAINSAW SAFETY AND FIRST AID.
  2. $1.2 million spent. INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS: PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS, AGES 18 TO 30, SERVING AS NATURAL RESOURCE AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALISTS AT NATURAL RESOURCE AGENCIES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, FROM FEBRUARY TO DECEMBER. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT MINNESOTA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OVER THE SUMMER. INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT AMERICORPS MEMBERS RECEIVE A MONTHLY STIPEND, HEALH INSURANCE, AND AN EDUCATION AWARD FOR COLLEGE EXPENSES.
  3. $159,464 spent. YOUTH PROGRAMS: YOUTH AGES 15-18 AS WELL AS YOUNG ADULT MEMBER (19-20) ENGAGE IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION FIELD CREW-ORIENTED WORK IN PUBLIC LANDS DURING THE SUMMER SEASON. YOUTH MAY BE INVOLVED IN A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM OR A COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAM. BOTH PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, WORKFORCE SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AND CAREER EXPLORATION OPPORTUNITIES. YOUTH EARN A TRAINING WAGE AND THOSE INVOLVED IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM ARE PROVIDED ROOM AND BOARD. AMERICORPS MEMBERS, YOUTH LEADERS SERVING IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, RECEIVE A MONTHLY STIPEND, HEALTH INSURANCE, AND AN EDUCATION AWARD FOR COLLEGE EXPENSES.

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 May 1999.

    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.

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