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Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center Inc

EIN 41-1965977 · Fort Snelling, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES AND BACKGROUNDS TO EMBRACE THE LIFELONG GAME OF TENNIS WHILE SERVING UNDER-RESOURCED YOUTH WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
64
Volunteers
62
Highest pay
$108,627, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 43 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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, 2024, 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. $779,323 spent. TENNISWORKS: OUR FREE TENNISWORKS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ADVANCE THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF YOUTH WHO HAVE LESS ACCESS TO RESOURCES THROUGH SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND ON- AND OFF-COURT EXPERIENCES. FULL-TIME EXPERIENCED STAFF ENGAGE YOUTH THROUGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AS WELL AS INDEPENDENTLY RUN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMING, TENNIS PLAY OPPORTUNITIES, AND CAMPS. IN 2024, THERE WERE 2,002 UNIQUE TENNISWORKS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.
  2. $852,384 spent. JUNIOR PROGRAMS: OUR FEE-BASED JUNIOR PROGRAMS OFFER AGE AND ABILITY-BASED CLASSES AS WELL AS MATCH PLAY OPPORTUNITIES FOR AGES 5 TO 18. CERTIFIED TENNIS PROFESSIONALS LEAD ALL JUNIOR TENNIS PROGRAMMING WITH A FOCUS ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT, CONFIDENCE, AND FINDING ENJOYMENT AND CONNECTION THROUGH THE SPORT OF TENNIS. IN 2024, 1,281 UNIQUE PLAYERS PARTICIPATED IN FWTEC JUNIOR TENNIS PROGRAMS. COMBINED WITH TENNISWORKS PARTICIPATION, THERE WERE OVER 30,000 JUNIOR TENNIS PLAY EXPERIENCES ON OUR COURTS IN 2024. 93 UNIQUE PLAYERS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF $90,870 IN SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE TO REMOVE FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION IN OUR FEE-BASED PROGRAMS. AN ADDITIONAL $12,817 WAS DISBURSED TO COVER TOURNAMENT-RELATED EXPENSES FOR YOUTH IN NEED. 10 STUDENTS ALSO RECEIVED $1,000 SCHOLORSHIPS TO SUPPORT COLLEGE START-UP EXPENSES.
  3. $803,676 spent. ADULT PROGRAMS: ADULT TENNIS PROGRAMMING INCLUDES ABILITY-BASED DRILLS AND CLINICS, IN-HOUSE AND USTA LEAGUE PLAY, SENIOR DRILLS, AND PRIVATE LESSONS. ADULT TENNIS OFFERINGS REINFORCE TENNIS AS A LIFELONG SPORT THAT PROMOTES HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION FOR ALL AGES. IN 2024, 1,450 UNIQUE ADULT PLAYERS PARTICIPATED IN FWTEC PROGRAMS.2,826 UNIQUE PLAYERS OF ALL AGES ALSO HIT THE COURTS TO SHARE THE GAME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY OR PRACTICE WITH THE BALL MACHINE.ALL PROGRAMS AND COURT RENTALS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. WHILE NOT REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE, PATRON MEMBERSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION AND ACCESS SELECT BENEFITS. AT THE END OF 2024, 599 FAMILIES, 391 JUNIORS, 525 ADULTS, AND 465 SENIORS/SENIOR COUPLES (AGES 62+) HELD ACTIVE PATRON MEMBERSHIPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 2000.

    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.