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Tri County Action Program Inc

EIN 41-6049739 · Waite Park, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE INTENT OF THE AGENCY'S MISSION IS TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND, IN SOME CASES, THE GENERAL PUBLIC. RESOURCES TO PROVIDE SERVICES ARE FUNDED THROUGH FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY GRANTS, FEE FOR SERVICES, THIRD-PARTY REIMBURSEMENT, AND DONATION. TRI-CAP STRIVES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY BY ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH ENTITIES THROUGHOUT THE SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEM. THE AGENCY UTILIZES THE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMPLETED IN 2023. THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT ASSISTS THE AGENCY TO IDENTIFY SYSTEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE AGENCY. IN AN INITIATIVE TO INCREASE AGENCY DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION, TRI-CAP PARTNERED WITH STRATEGIC DIVERSITY INITIATIVES (SDI). IN JULY 2023, SDI LAUNCHED A COMPREHENSIVE DEI ASSESSMENT, COMPRISED OF A CONFIDENTIAL AND ANONYMOUS STAFF SURVEY, AND FOCUS GROUPS TO FIND KEY AREAS OF STRENGTH, OPPORTUNITIES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

Income
$12.7 million
Spending
$11.1 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 85%
Employees
123
Volunteers
78
Highest pay
$139,758, dir of comm dev

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

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% 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 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 September 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 (3)
  1. $5.3 million spent. TRANSPORTATION:TRANSIT CONNECTION PUBLIC BUS OPERATIONS OFFER RURAL TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING DIAL-A-RIDE, FIXED ROUTE AND SMALL CITY SERVICE. THE TRANSPORTATION DISPATCH STAFF COORDINATES THE REQUESTS AND ASSISTS CUSTOMERS IN OBTAINING RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND IDENTIFIES OTHER ALTERNATIVES WHEN OUR SERVICES ARE NOT A VIABLE SOLUTION. THESE SERVICES ARE OFFERED FOR THOSE IN BENTON, STEARNS, SHERBURNE, MILLE LACS AND MORRISON COUNTIES. A TOTAL OF 144,064 ONE-WAY RIDES WERE PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITIES.THE VOLUNTEER DRIVER PROGRAM PROVIDES RIDES FOR CLIENTS IN STEARNS, SHERBURNE, BENTON, MILLE LACS AND MORRISON COUNTIES TO DESTINATIONS THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA. WE PROVIDE RIDES FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, FAMILY VISITS, COUNSELING AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 38 VOLUNTEER DRIVERS WHO PERFORMED 15,733 ONE-WAY RIDES, DROVE 642,063 MILES, AND VOLUNTEERED 20,896 HOURS.
  2. $2.4 million spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: THE LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HELPS INCOME ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS IN BENTON, STEARNS, SHERBURNE AND MORRISON COUNTIES BY PAYING A PORTION OF THEIR HOME HEATING COSTS. TRI- CAP RECEIVES FUNDS TO COMPLETE THIS ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY AND CREATED $4,866,356 IN REQUESTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR PAYMENTS TO VENDORS ON BEHALF OF CUSTOMERS.THE FEDERAL WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE FOR ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS IN BENTON, STEARNS, AND SHERBURNE COUNTIES WHICH CAN BENEFIT FROM UPDATED ENERGY EFFICIENCIES AS WELL AS HEALTH AND SAFETY UPGRADES. A TOTAL OF 85 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COMMUNITIES WERE SERVED WITH COMPLETE ENERGY AUDITS, AND AN ADDITIONAL 6 HOUSEHOLDS WERE SERVED WITH MECHANICAL ASSISTANCE CALLED STANDALONES.
  3. $1.6 million spent. FAMILY RESOURCES: THE FAMILY RESOURCES SERVED 933 HOUSEHOLDS PROVIDING A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES RANGING FROM FREE TAX RETURN PREPARATION, SNAP /FOOD APPLICATION ASSISTANCE, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, CHILDCARE ACCESS, AND EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING. THIS NUMBER REFLECTS SERVICES AND PROGRAMS OFFERED IN OUR ASSET, WORKFORCE, AND HOUSING STABILITY PILLARS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 November 6, 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 September 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 February 1966.

    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 November 4, 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.