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Cedar Growth

EIN 45-3971533 · Black River Falls, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO DELIVER EXEMPLARY SERVICES BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WHILE IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
31.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
11
Highest pay
$131,237, executive di

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 31.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 55% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 109% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% 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 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 (1)
  1. $714,857 spent. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION DEMONSTRATED SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN ADVANCING ITS MISSION THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION: HOSTED MULTIPLE FAMILY EVENTS AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, INCLUDING BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING CLASSES, WHICH COLLECTIVELY ATTRACTED OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS. THESE EFFORTS PROVIDED CRITICAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS PURSUING HOMEOWNERSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. SUPPORT FOR NATIVE ENTREPRENEURS: FACILITATED THE WOORUWI BUSINESS PROGRAM, DELIVERING SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO EMERGING NATIVE ENTREPRENEURS. THIS INCLUDED INDIANPRENEURSHIP CLASSES AND BUSINESS PLAN WORKSHOPS, ATTENDED BY DOZENS OF INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO LAUNCH OR GROW THEIR BUSINESSES. SEVERAL BUSINESS LOANS, INCLUDING POTENTIAL FORGIVENESS OPTIONS, WERE APPROVED TO SUPPORT LOCAL ENTERPRISES. EXPANDED HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES: ACHIEVED CERTIFICATION AS A HUD-APPROVED COUNSELING ORGANIZATION, ENABLING THE ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE ENHANCED HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES. STAFF MEMBERS COMPLETED HUD CERTIFICATIONS, DEVELOPED COUNSELING WORK PLANS, AND SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS TO FURTHER THE PROGRAMS REACH. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES: SUPPORTED ECONOMIC GROWTH BY ASSISTING BUSINESS CLIENTS IN SECURING FUNDING AND PREPARING FOR LOAN READINESS. DEVELOPED LOAN FORGIVENESS GUIDELINES, IMPLEMENTED NEW OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS, AND PROVIDED OUTREACH SERVICES TO OVER 40 PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS. GRANT AND FUNDING ACHIEVEMENTS: SECURED SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING FROM FEDERAL AND STATE SOURCES, INCLUDING OVER 3 MILLION IN BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND ASSISTANCE GRANTS. THESE FUNDS HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN EXPANDING PROGRAM OFFERINGS AND ENHANCING ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY. TEAM DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL PROGRESS: ONBOARDED KEY STAFF MEMBERS TO STRENGTHEN THE ORGANIZATIONS CAPACITY, INCLUDING NEW ROLES IN DEVELOPMENT AND GRANT MANAGEMENT. CONDUCTED A TEAM RETREAT TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING, RESULTING IN THE FINALIZATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2023-2025. OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS: COLLABORATED WITH TRIBAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ENHANCE SERVICE DELIVERY FOR NATIVE BUSINESSES. PRESENTED AT INDUSTRY EVENTS, CULTIVATED REFERRAL PARTNERSHIPS, AND DEVELOPED A ROBUST CURRICULUM FOR SMALL BUSINESS EDUCATION. OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS: INVESTED IN TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY, INCLUDING IT ASSESSMENTS AND ENHANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS. ESTABLISHED A NEW CONFERENCE AND EDUCATION SPACE TO BETTER SERVE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. FUNDRAISING SUCCESS: HOSTED A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING EVENT, RAISING SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS WHILE ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY IN MEANINGFUL WAYS. THROUGH THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE ORGANIZATION HAS MADE MEASURABLE IMPACTS IN AREAS OF HOUSING STABILITY, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FURTHERING ITS COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THOSE IT SERVES. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION DEMONSTRATED SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN ADVANCING ITS MISSION THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION: HOSTED MULTIPLE FAMILY EVENTS AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, INCLUDING BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING CLASSES, WHICH COLLECTIVELY ATTRACTED OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS. THESE EFFORTS PROVIDED CRITICAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS PURSUING HOMEOWNERSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. SUPPORT FOR NATIVE ENTREPRENEURS: FACILITATED THE WOORUWI BUSINESS PROGRAM, DELIVERING SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO EMERGING NATIVE ENTREPRENEURS. THIS INCLUDED INDIANPRENEURSHIP CLASSES AND BUSINESS PLAN WORKSHOPS, ATTENDED BY DOZENS OF INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO LAUNCH OR GROW THEIR BUSINESSES. SEVERAL BUSINESS LOANS, INCLUDING POTENTIAL FORGIVENESS OPTIONS, WERE APPROVED TO SUPPORT LOCAL ENTERPRISES. EXPANDED HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES: ACHIEVED CERTIFICATION AS A HUD-APPROVED COUNSELING ORGANIZATION, ENABLING THE ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE ENHANCED HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES. STAFF MEMBERS COMPLETED HUD CERTIFICATIONS, DEVELOPED COUNSELING WORK PLANS, AND SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS TO FURTHER THE PROGRAMS REACH. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES: SUPPORTED ECONOMIC GROWTH BY ASSISTING BUSINESS CLIENTS IN SECURING FUNDING AND PREPARING FOR LOAN READINESS. DEVELOPED LOAN FORGIVENESS GUIDELINES, IMPLEMENTED NEW OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS, AND PROVIDED OUTREACH SERVICES TO OVER 40 PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS. GRANT AND FUNDING ACHIEVEMENTS: SECURED SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING FROM FEDERAL AND STATE SOURCES, INCLUDING OVER 3 MILLION IN BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND ASSISTANCE GRANTS. THESE FUNDS HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN EXPANDING PROGRAM OFFERINGS AND ENHANCING ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY. TEAM DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL PROGRESS: ONBOARDED KEY STAFF MEMBERS TO STRENGTHEN THE ORGANIZATIONS CAPACITY, INCLUDING NEW ROLES IN DEVELOPMENT AND GRANT MANAGEMENT. CONDUCTED A TEAM RETREAT TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING, RESULTING IN THE FINALIZATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2023-2025. OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS: COLLABORATED WITH TRIBAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ENHANCE SERVICE DELIVERY FOR NATIVE BUSINESSES. PRESENTED AT INDUSTRY EVENTS, CULTIVATED REFERRAL PARTNERSHIPS, AND DEVELOPED A ROBUST CURRICULUM FOR SMALL BUSINESS EDUCATION. OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS: INVESTED IN TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY, INCLUDING IT ASSESSMENTS AND ENHANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS. ESTABLISHED A NEW CONFERENCE AND EDUCATION SPACE TO BETTER SERVE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. FUNDRAISING SUCCESS: HOSTED A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING EVENT, RAISING SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS WHILE ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY IN MEANINGFUL WAYS. THROUGH THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE ORGANIZATION HAS MADE MEASURABLE IMPACTS IN AREAS OF HOUSING STABILITY, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FURTHERING ITS COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF

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 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 June 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 2015.

    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.