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Thomas Irvine Dodge Foundation

EIN 41-6081794 · W Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DODGE NATURE CENTER AND PRESCHOOL MISSION IS PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES IN NATURE THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. WE ENVISION A FUTURE WHERE EVERYONE INSPIRED BY DODGE INTENTIONALLY CARES FOR NATURE.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 41%
Employees
69
Volunteers
339
Highest pay
$168,769, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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 August 31, 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 (4)
  1. $1.9 million spent. DODGE NATURE PRESCHOOL, ESTABLISHED IN 2000, IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. RESEARCH CONSISTENTLY SHOWS THAT TIME IN NATURE IS A VITAL PART OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT. DODGE'S PROGRAM SERVED 326 CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 5 THROUGH LAST SCHOOL YEAR AND SUMMER SESSION. OUR INNOVATIVE NATURE-BASED CURRICULUM FOSTERS COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT BY INTEGRATING OUTDOOR EXPLORATION AND SEASONAL LEARNING, GUIDED BY STUDENTS' INTERESTS AND BASED IN BEST PRACTICES. EMPHASIZING AN ALL-OUTDOOR EDUCATION MODEL, DODGE CULTIVATES CURIOSITY, RESILIENCE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN YOUNG LEARNERS.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULED O:) (CONTINUED FROM PART III)DODGE NATURE PRESCHOOL INVESTED IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF ITS OUTDOOR LEARNING AREA IN 2024 TO IMPROVE SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND EDUCATIONAL VALUE. THIS TRANSFORMATION CREATED THREE NEW OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS, OFFERING ENHANCED SPACES FOR CHILDREN AND STAFF TO EXPLORE, LEARN, AND CONNECT WITH NATURE. THESE IMPROVEMENTS SUPPORT THE PRESCHOOL'S GOAL OF PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY, NATURE-BASED CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.DODGE NATURE PRESCHOOL IS LICENSED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC), AND CERTIFIED AS A NATURE EXPLORE CLASSROOM. THE SCHOOL HAS EARNED THE HIGHEST RATING OF 4 STARS FROM PARENT AWARE, MINNESOTA'S QUALITY RATING SYSTEM. OUR STAFF REGULARLY PRESENT AT NATIONAL CONFERENCES, INCLUDING THE NATURAL START ALLIANCE, AND CONTINUE TO LEAD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS THROUGH OUR ANNUAL LEARNING CONFERENCE, WHICH HAS BEEN A HUB FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH SINCE 2011.
  2. $1.0 million spent. DODGE NATURE CENTER PROVIDES MORE THAN 65,000 ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE NATURE EXPERIENCES ANNUALLY, WELCOMING INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. OUR HIGH-QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE STANDARDS-BASED SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, AFFORDABLE SCHOOL BREAK CAMPS, AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR K-8 STUDENTS. ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS INCLUDE A NATURALIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, ENGAGING FAMILY ACTIVITIES, ADULT ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND FREE OR LOW-COST COMMUNITY EVENTS. TO ENSURE BROAD PARTICIPATION, DODGE OFFERS LOW-COST PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES IN FINANCIAL NEED.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULED O:)(CONTINUED FROM PART III)DODGE'S SHEPARD FARM SITE IN COTTAGE GROVE EXPERIENCED INCREASED PARTICIPATION FROM SOUTHEAST METRO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THIS YEAR. THE SITE OFFERS SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, SEASONAL CAMPS, AND HANDS-ON PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES AND ADULTS. FARM-TO-TABLE, BLACKSMITHING, AND BACKYARD CHICKEN AND BEEKEEPING CLASSES DISTINGUISH DODGE AS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE FOR LIFELONG ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING. LOCAL SCHOOLS HAVE ALSO REQUESTED PROGRAMS SUCH AS GIRLS EXPLORE SCIENCE TO SUPPORT STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND STRENGTHEN SCIENCE ACHIEVEMENT.IN ADDITION TO EDUCATION PROGRAMS, DODGE PROVIDES FREE PUBLIC ACCESS TO MORE THAN 460 ACRES OF RESTORED AND NATIVE HABITATS, INCLUDING WOODS, PRAIRIES, WETLANDS, AND OAK SAVANNA. THESE NATURAL AREAS OFFER WILDLIFE HABITAT AND PEACEFUL OUTDOOR SPACES OPEN TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, WITH TRAILS ACCESSIBLE YEAR-ROUND AT NO COST. CONSERVATION EFFORTS CONTINUE ACROSS DODGE'S FOUR PROPERTIES IN COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERS SUCH AS THE MINNESOTA LAND TRUST, WASHINGTON COUNTY WATERSHED, AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. DODGE OFFERED THESE SERVICES WITH THE SUPPORT OF 26 BOARD MEMBERS, 34 FULL-TIME STAFF, 13 PART-TIME STAFF, AND 270 VOLUNTEERS.
  3. DODGE NATURE CENTER OPERATES TWO WORKING FARMS IN WEST ST. PAUL AND COTTAGE GROVE TO DEMONSTRATE THE VITAL CONNECTION BETWEEN AGRICULTURE, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. THE FARMS PROVIDE HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS OF ALL AGES IN FOOD AND SOIL SCIENCE, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, BEEKEEPING, LIVESTOCK CARE, AND RENEWABLE ENERGY. VISITORS PARTICIPATE IN GUIDED TOURS, OBSERVING A VARIETY OF FARM ANIMALS, INCLUDING HERITAGE BREEDS, AND EXPLORING BARNS AND COOPS. COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN RENT GARDEN PLOTS AND LEARN ORGANIC GARDENING TECHNIQUES FROM DODGE FARMERS. THE FARMS ALSO HOST POPULAR SEASONAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS MAPLE SYRUPING AND SPRING ANIMAL BIRTHS, FOSTERING APPRECIATION FOR LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND BUILDING EMPATHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.
  4. VOLUNTEERS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF DODGE NATURE CENTER AND PRESCHOOL'S SUCCESS. DURING THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2025, VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED APPROXIMATELY 4,433 HOURS OF SERVICE, SUPPORTING PROGRAMS THAT REACHED MORE THAN 60,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN. VOLUNTEERS SERVED IN A VARIETY OF ROLES, INCLUDING TEACHER NATURALISTS, CLASS AND CAMP ASSISTANTS, LAND RESTORATIONISTS, GROUNDS AND OFFICE SUPPORT, EVENT HELPERS, PRESCHOOL AIDES, AND ANIMAL CARE AND GARDEN SUPPORT. THEIR DEDICATION ENHANCES THE QUALITY AND REACH OF DODGE'S EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 October 1967.

    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.