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Proteus Inc

EIN 42-1186501 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF PROTEUS SHALL BE TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF MIGRANT SEASONAL FARMWORKERS AND OTHER LOW-INCOME PEOPLE BY IMPLEMENTING EDUCATIONAL, EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH CARE, AND OTHER SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR THE POOR, THE DISADVANGTAGED AND LOW-SKILLED.

Income
$6.4 million
Spending
$6.2 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
79
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$218,582, ceo

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% 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 65% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 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 (3)
  1. $3.7 million spent. NATIONAL FARMWORKER JOBS PROGRAM: PROTEUS HELPS FARMWORKERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS OVERCOME LOW INCOME AND BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT THROUGH EDUCATION, JOB TRAINING, AND CAREER SUPPORT. OUR NATIONAL FARMWORKER JOBS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON HELPING PARTICIPANTS EARN SKILLS AND CREDENTIALS THAT LEAD TO STABLE JOBS AND LONG-TERM SELF-SUFFICIENCY. SERVING COMMUNITIES ACROSS IOWA, NEBRASKA, AND INDIANA, PROTEUS WORKS CLOSELY WITH EMPLOYERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO CREATE REAL CAREER PATHWAYS. MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS REMAIN EMPLOYED FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR AFTER COMPLETING THE PROGRAM, EARNING AN AVERAGE OF OVER $35,000 ANNUALLY. IN FY2025, DONOR AND PARTNER SUPPORT HELPED MORE THAN 400 LOW-INCOME FARMWORKER FAMILIES TAKE MEANINGFUL STEPS TOWARD ECONOMIC STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE.
  2. $1.4 million spent. AGRICULTURAL HEALTH PROGRAM: PROTEUS, INC. INCREASES ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE FOR FARMWORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH THREE CLINICS LOCATED IN DES MOINES, FORT DODGE, AND IOWA CITY, AS WELL AS MOBILE CLINICS AND TELEHEALTH SERVICES. MOST CARE IS DELIVERED IN RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS IOWA, BRINGING HEALTHCARE DIRECTLY TO PEOPLE WHO OFTEN HAVE THE FEWEST OPTIONS. PROTEUS PROVIDES PRIMARY CARE ALONG WITH ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS. WHEN ADDITIONAL CARE IS NEEDED, PATIENTS ARE REFERRED TO SPECIALTY PROVIDERS, AND PROTEUS HELPS REMOVE BARRIERS BY OFFERING TRANSPORTATION, INTERPRETATION SERVICES, AND VOUCHERS TO HELP COVER COSTS. BY KEEPING FARMWORKERS HEALTHY, THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS FARMERS AND EMPLOYERS, REDUCES STRAIN ON HOSPITALS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS, AND LOWERS HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR TAXPAYERS. DONOR SUPPORT HELPS ENSURE ESSENTIAL CARE REACHES FAMILIES WHERE AND WHEN IT IS NEEDED MOST.
  3. $220,292 spent. OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS: PROTEUS, INC. PROVIDES DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND COORDINATES ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. THESE PROGRAMS ADDRESS IMMEDIATE NEEDS WHILE ALSO PREVENTING LONG-TERM HARM. THROUGH HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION, PROTEUS SUPPORTS FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS BY HELPING KEEP THEIR WORKFORCE SAFE AND REDUCING INJURIES ON THE JOB. IN FY2025, PROTEUS TRAINED MORE THAN 7,500 FARMWORKERS ON HEAT STRESS AND STROKE PREVENTION AND PESTICIDE EXPOSURE. PROTEUS ALSO OPERATES A FOOD PANTRY THAT PROVIDES HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY WITH RELIABLE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD. THROUGH TARGETED NUTRITION SUPPORT, PROTEUS INCREASED ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD FOR PATIENTS MANAGING CHRONIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES, HELPING IMPROVE LONG-TERM HEALTH OUTCOMES.IN ADDITION, PROTEUS SERVED 30 YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THE FARMWORKER YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND PROVIDED FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT EDUCATION TO 30 PARTICIPANTS, HELPING INDIVIDUALS BUILD SKILLS FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE.

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 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 June 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 November 1983.

    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.