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Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council Inc

EIN 41-6050245 · Worthington, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To strengthen our communities through opportunities and service, to help build community resources and help move people out of poverty.

Income
$7.9 million
Spending
$7.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
117
Volunteers
167
Highest pay
$125,445, 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (6)
  1. $848,446 spent. Head Start: Provides services to low-income families with children aged 0-5 in a holistic setting to assure that they are, or will be, ready to enter kindergarten either developmentally at or ahead of their peers. Services focus on health (both physical and mental), cognitive development, socialization, addressing any special needs, and assuring that parents are actively involved in their child's development as well as the delivery of the program to the greatest extent feasible.
  2. $1.7 million spent. Family Planning: Provides confidential and affordable medical care and treatment to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. The main goal is to provide clients with information and a means to exercise personal choice in reproductive healthcare, with a focus on preventative care. Services are provided via outreach and in a clinic setting. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome.
  3. $1.1 million spent. Child Care Aware/Early Learning Scholarships: Helps to improve, support, and strengthen child care services and early learning programs. Helps parents find quality child care and education their children need to succeed in school and life. Works side-by-side with families, offering tools and resources to help them make informed choices. Scholarships help pay for high-quality child care and early education to support a child's transition to school.
  4. $850,373 spent. Transit: Coordinates, promotes, and provides public transportation for all residents of Nobles County, including the city of Worthington. Anyone is eligible to ride one of our accessible buses, either utilizing one of our established routes or by requesting an on-demand ride
  5. $820,424 spent. Energy Assistance Program, Homemaker Program, Senior Employment, State and Federal Block Grant, Family Collaboratives, Farmer's Market: These grants allow SMOC to assist and support low-income adults, children, and families with their defined areas of need, connecting them to resources and services.
  6. $720,738 spent. The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and Minnesota Community Action Grant (MCAG): SMOC uses CSBG and MCAG grant funds to support overall activities designed to help low-income families and individuals. A large percentage of CSBG and MCAG funding is used to support the administrative oversight and operations of SMOC, mainly salary for the Executive Director, the Finance Director, and the Human Resources Director. CSBG and MCAG funding also support the agency by funding memberships to local, state, and national organizations, as well as training and travel for Administrative staff.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 April 1966.

    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.