Familymeans
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FAMILYMEANS STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES BY HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH CHALLENGES IN ALL LIFE STAGES.
- Income
- $5.7 million
- Spending
- $5.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 17.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 48%
- Employees
- 70
- Volunteers
- 130
- Highest pay
- $144,007, president & ceo
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- $2.8 million spent. COUNSELING AND THERAPY FAMILYMEANS IS A MN AND WI LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY CENTER WITH OFFICES IN HUDSON, STILLWATER, ST. PAUL, AND 16 SCHOOLS LOCATED IN 2 MINNESOTA AND 1 WISCONSIN DISTRICTS. SERVICES INCLUDE OUTPATIENT ASSESSMENT AND COUNSELING SERVICES TO ADDRESS A WIDE VARIETY OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES TO ALL WHO REQUEST SERVICES, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY. THE CENTER FOR GRIEF AND LOSS IN ST. PAUL OFFERS SPECIALIZED OUTPATIENT SERVICES FOR CLIENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLICATED OR AMBIGUOUS LOSS, AND SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA. THE GOAL OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELING PROGRAM IS TO HELP CLIENTS UNDERSTAND THEIR PROBLEMS AND SEE WAYS TO BEGIN SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS. INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENTS ARE COMPLETED AND THERAPY IS OFFERED TO CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS TO MITIGATE ISSUES SUCH AS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES OF DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY, SCHOOL OR EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS, AND OTHER PERSONAL OR RELATIONSHIP CONCERNS. FAMILY THERAPY ASSISTS GROUPS OF PEOPLE FUNCTIONING AS A FAMILY UNIT WITH ISSUES SUCH AS COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT, AND PARENTING. GROUP THERAPY IS TOPIC-SPECIFIC AND VARIABLE; GROUPS MAY BE IN LONG-TERM OR TIME-LIMITED FORMATS. SCHOOL-LOCATED COUNSELING PROGRAMS ALLOW STUDENTS TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY WHILE REDUCING POTENTIAL BARRIERS SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION, FINANCIAL OR SCHEDULING CONCERNS; CHILDREN IN TRANSITION GROUPS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE OFFERED TO STUDENTS WHOSE PARENTS ARE DIVORCING, AS WELL AS OTHER GROUP TOPICS AS NEEDED AT EACH SCHOOL LEVEL. OUR SCHEDULING GOAL IS TO ARRANGE APPOINTMENTS WITHING 3 WEEKS OF AN INITIAL CALL FOR HELP. IN 2024, WE PROVIDED COUNSELING SERVICES TO 896 PEOPLE IN OUR STILLWATER AND HUDSON OFFICES, 429 IN ST. PAUL, AND 342 STUDENTS IN SCHOOL-BASED COUNSELING, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING 1,219 STAFF CONTACTS AND OVER 1,070 PARENT CONTACTS.
- $658,905 spent. FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES AIMED AT EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL STABILITY. OUR OFFERINGS INCLUDE BUDGET AND DEBT COUNSELING, DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION. THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS WITH CERTIFIED CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELORS, CLIENTS RECEIVE PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE ON UNDERSTANDING THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION, EXPLORING REPAYMENT AND SAVING STRATEGIES, CREATING PRACTICAL BUDGETS, AND ESTABLISHING LONG-TERM FINANCIAL GOALS-ALL PROVIDED AT NO COST. FOR SOME CLIENTS, ENROLLMENT IN OUR DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ENABLES THEM TO REPAY UNSECURED DEBT WHILE SAVING SIGNIFICANT INTEREST AND FEES OVER A FIXED PERIOD. FAMILY MEANS DOES NOT PAY THEIR DEBT BUT DESIGNS A PROGRAM IN COORDINATION WITH THEIR CREDITORS THAT PROVIDES THEM WITH A MANAGEABLE PAYMENT PLAN. OUR FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, CONDUCTED IN VARIOUS SETTINGS FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND ADULTS, AIM TO IMPART MONEY MANAGEMENT SKILLS TO MITIGATE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES. IN 2024, WE HELPED OVER 2200 FAMILIES THROUGH BUDGET AND DEBT COUNSELING, AND OUR DEBT MANAGEMENT CLIENTS REPAID NEARLY $4 MILLION OF THEIR UNSECURED DEBT. ADDITIONALLY, OUR FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND RESOURCE FAIRS REACHED 1285 PEOPLE.
- $677,345 spent. CAREGIVING AND AGING PROVIDING CARE TO AN OLDER ADULT OR A YOUNGER PERSON WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CAN BECOME A STRAIN FOR THE CAREGIVER EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND FINANCIALLY. SINCE 1986, FAMILYMEANS HAS OFFERED A VARIETY OF SERVICES TO HELP THESE UNPAID FAMILY AND FRIEND CAREGIVERS EFFECTIVELY MANAGE AND SUSTAIN THIS IMPORTANT ROLE WHILE STAYING WELL THEMSELVES. WE PROVIDE EDUCATION, COACHING AND CONSULTATIONS, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND GROUP AND IN-HOME RESPITE. CAREGIVERS RECEIVE GUIDANCE, RESOURCE CONNECTIONS, PROFESSIONAL AND PEER SUPPORT, AND REGULAR RESPITE BREAKS THAT GIVE THEM TIME TO THEMSELVES. AS A RESULT, CAREGIVERS' STRESS AND ISOLATION DECREASE, AND THEIR CONFIDENCE AND CAPABILITY INCREASE. RECOGNIZING THE AGING OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE INCREASING PREVALENCE OF DEMENTIA, WE HAVE SPECIALIZED PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON OLDER ADULTS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING MEMORY LOSS. WE PROVIDE EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES OF THEIR OLDER YEARS, OFFER MEMORY SCREENINGS, SPECIALIZED DEMENTIA-RELATED SUPPORT GROUPS, AND MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO BE TOGETHER DESPITE PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE CHALLENGES. TO WORK TOWARD LONG-TERM CHANGE, WE ENGAGE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PLAN AND ACT TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A MORE AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY. WE USE A COMBINATION OF VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON METHODS WHEN POSSIBLE TO MAKE OUR SERVICES ACCESSIBLE AND EFFECTIVE FOR USERS IN VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. IN 2024, WE PROVIDED OVER 9,880 HOURS OF CAREGIVER SUPPORT AND AGING SERVICES FOR 1,989 PARTICIPANTS.
- $454,484 spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - FAMILYMEANS PROVIDES FREE, HIGH-QUALITY AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH AGES 5 THROUGH 18 LIVING IN THE MOBILE HOME CITY OF LANDFALL, MINNESOTA, AND THE PRIVATELY-OWNED CIMARRON MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY IN LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA. BOTH COMMUNITIES ARE HOME TO LOW-INCOME, DIVERSE, AND AT-RISK POPULATIONS OF YOUTH WHO ARE SOCIALLY AND PHYSICALLY ISOLATED FROM SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. EACH SITE OFFERS A CHILDREN'S PROGRAM AND A TEEN PROGRAM. THE GOAL OF THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES IS EQUIPPING YOUTH TO LEARN, THRIVE, CONNECT, AND CONTRIBUTE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. PARTICIPATING YOUTH CAN EXPLORE ART, SCIENCE, MUSIC, COOKING, AND TECHNOLOGY SKILL-BUILDING IN A FREE-CHOICE, DROP-IN ENVIRONMENT. ACTIVITIES ALSO INCLUDE FIELD TRIPS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, SPORTS, FITNESS AND RECREATION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND ORGANIZING COMMUNITY EVENTS. HELP WITH SCHOOLWORK IS AVAILABLE DAILY.THE READY TO BE PROGRAM GUIDES TEENS IN THOUGHTFUL PREPARATION FOR POSTSECONDARY LIFE. IN 2024, 211 CHILDREN AND YOUTH ATTENDED OUR PROGRAMS. IN YEAR-END SURVEYS, YOUTH STATE THAT OUR PROGRAMMING CONNECTS THEM WITH CARING AND RESPONSIVE STAFF, OFFERS THEM NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, HELPS THEM DEVELOP RELATIONAL SKILLS, GUIDES THEM ABOUT THEIR FUTURES, AND ENABLES THEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY LIFE.
- $10,794 spent. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE - COMPANIES CONTRACT WITH THE ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT NURTURE A HEALTHY WORKFORCE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT. UNDER THIS BENEFIT, EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES AND THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS FOR CONFIDENTIAL HELP WITH PERSONAL MATTERS. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES TRAINING, MEDIATION, CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFINGS AND CONSULTATION TO MANAGEMENT.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1965.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.