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Breakthrough Twin Cities

EIN 45-3587267 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Breakthrough Twin Cities supports students on their journey to college by fostering a community of mutual learning with the next generation of educators so they both can collaborate, grow, and thrive.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
116
Volunteers
86
Highest pay
$138,225, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 16 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 May 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 (1)
  1. $1.9 million spent. Breakthrough Twin Cities (BTC) provides a six-year, tuition-free college access and teacher-development program serving underrepresented youth in grades 712 in the Twin Cities. Students participate in academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, and college-readiness programming during a 5.5-week summer program and monthly school-year sessions. Students also receive individualized advising, mentorship, and referrals to community resources. In Summer 2024, BTC served 448 students (nearly 100 more than last year) across three sites. Students received 100+ hours of core academic instruction and participated in STEM, arts, and college-and-career exploration electives. Dedicated STEM programming was delivered in partnership with the University of Minnesota, including hands-on experiments, career panels, and immersive activities. Students participated in field trips focused on college access and civic engagement, including visits to local colleges and the Minnesota State Capitol. Middle School Outcomes (2024 - 25) - 55% enrolled in at least one. honors course, -78% felt better prepared for the next school year, -83% reported strong college-going role models, -88% felt a strong sense of belonging. Breakthrough Leaders Program: 69 rising 9th graders (20 more than prior year) completed a four-day leadership retreat at St. Johns University, building leadership, belonging, and confidence. Participants facilitated student-led programming and supported teaching teams upon return. BTCs high-school program supports students through academic advising, college counseling, ACT preparation, financial aid education, and persistence support. Students participated in summer college-readiness workshops covering FAFSA, college applications, scholarship search, and transition planning. High School & College Outcomes (2024 - 25) -80% enrolled in at least 100% four-year graduation rate, 100% college acceptance for applicants, average annual scholarship: $35,781, covering 85% of tuition, 95% enrolled in college the fall after graduation, 60%+ on-track graduate college in 5 years. BTC also served its first Eastern Carver County (ECC) juniors with summer college-transition workshops.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 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 May 2025.

    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 2012.

    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.