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Minnesota State Bar Foundation

EIN 41-6023581 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MINNESOTA STATE BAR FOUNDATION MOBILIZES LEGAL COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPY TO ACHIEVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS.

Income
$176,038
Spending
$255,326
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
77.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 65%
Employees
0
Volunteers
11

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 77.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 68% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • 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.

  • 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. $197,746 spent. PROGRAM SERVICE ACTIVITIES CONSIST SOLELY OF GRANTS TO BOARD-APPROVED ORGANIZATIONS.THE MINNESOTA STATE BAR FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES THAT ITS EXISTENCE AND ITS ABILITY TO CARRY OUT ITS ASSIGNED MISSION ARE DUE TO THE COOPERATION AND SUPPORT THAT IT RECEIVES FROM THE MINNESOTA STATE BAR ASSOCIATION AND ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS, WHO ARE THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF ALL FUNDS AVAILABLE TO THE FOUNDATION. THE FOUNDATION THEREFORE FEELS DEEPLY OBLIGATED TO PURSUE POLICIES AND MAKE GRANTS TO SUCH PROGRAMS AND CAUSES AS IT BELIEVES WOULD ATTRACT THE SPECIAL INTEREST AND SUPPORT OF THE LAWYERS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.IN AWARDING GRANTS IN RESPONSE TO WRITTEN APPLICATIONS, THE FOUNDATION BELIEVES THAT IT CAN CARRY OUT THIS BROAD OBJECTIVE BY GENERALLY ADHERING TO THE GUIDELINES STATED AS FOLLOWS:1. THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN INTERESTED IN THE PAST AND CONTINUES TO BE INTERESTED IN PROGRAMS OF LAW-RELATED EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS AND ADULTS, INCLUDING WHERE APPROPRIATE, PUBLICATIONS, WORKSHOPS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.2. THE FOUNDATION SEEKS TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR AND DISADVANTAGED GROUPS.3. THE FOUNDATION SEEKS TO SUPPORT AND TO PROMOTE PROGRANTS AND PROJECTS HAVING AS THEIR PURPOSE THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC SO THAT IT MIGHT BETTER UNDERSTAND THE COURTS AND LEGAL PROCESSES IS INCLUDED WITHIN THIS PURPOSE.4. THE FOUNDATION WILL GIVE CONSIDERATION TO PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS SUPPORTING OR PROMOTING PUBLIC INTEREST LEGAL WORK. 5. THE FOUNDATION WILL, IN ALLOCATING ITS FUNDS, ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN: (A) THOSE NEW AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS WHICH MAY BE OF AN EXPERIMENTAL NATURE AND THAT NEED ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF "SEED MONEY; AND(B) THOSE PROJECTS OF SPECIAL CONCERN TO LAWYERS THAT ARE OF A CONTINUINING NATURE AND NEED PERIODIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR OPERATING BUDGETS.6. THE FOUNDATION DOES NOT PRECLUDE ITSELF FROM AWARDING GRANTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS, BUT IT WILL STRIVE TO MAKE SUCH GRANTS PRIMARILY UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WILL PROMOTE THE GENERAL PUBLIC WELFARE RATHER THAN THE PERSONAL BENEFIT OF INDIVIDUAL DONEES.7. SINCE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR LAWYERS ARE, IN GENERAL, WELL SUPPORTED BY TUITION CHARGES, THE FOUNDATION FEELS OBLIGATED TO CONSIDER SUPPORT ONLY FOR SUCH CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT MAY BE OF AN EXPERIMENTAL NATURE OR OF GENERAL INTEREST TO THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BAR AND ARE NOT SELF-SUPPORTING.8. THE FOUNDATION DOES NOT PROVIDE FUNDS TO BE USED FOR PROPAGANDA OR LOBBYING ACTIVITIES.

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? 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 September 10, 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 February 1947.

    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.