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Hope Community Academy

EIN 41-1975574 · Saint Paul, MN

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF HOPE (HMONG OPEN PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION) COMMUNITY ACADEMY IS TO INSPIRE STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE HIGH ACADEMIC SUCCESS WHILE EMBRACING HMONG LANGUAGE AND CULTURE.

Income
$16.3 million
Spending
$14.2 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
167
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$156,305, executive director (end 6/25)

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

Financial health

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 95% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 June 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 (1)
  1. $12.8 million spent. HOPE COMMUNITY ACADEMY IS AN ACCREDITED PRE-K TO 12TH GRADE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL CONVENIENTLY LOCATED ON THE EASTSIDE OF ST. PAUL. THE ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY SEEKS TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND TRUSTING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE EACH STUDENT IS VALUED AND CHALLENGED TO GROW ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND PHYSICALLY. HMONG LANGUAGE AND CULTURE ARE ONE OF THE CORE COMPONENTS OF THE SCHOOLS FOCUS. IN FY2025, OVERALL STUDENT NUMBERS WERE 786.HOPE COMMUNITY ACADEMY FIRST OPENED ITS DOORS TO STUDENTS IN GRADES K-3 IN 2000. GRADE LEVELS WERE ADDED ANNUALLY UNTIL WE REACHED 8TH GRADE. IN 2020, IN ORDER TO GIVE STUDENTS A CONTINUOUS EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND DUE TO GROWING PARENT INTEREST, WE ADDED PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND HIGH SCHOOL TO OUR GRADE LEVEL OFFERINGS. THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR WAS THE FOURTH YEAR OF HOPE COMMUNITY ACADEMY'S HIGH SCHOOL. IN JUNE 2025, HOPE SAW IT FIRST GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL CLASS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(3) charitable organization as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.