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Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency

EIN 45-6014870 · Fargo, ND

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOUTHEASTERN NORTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY (SENDCAA) WAS FORMED IN 1965 TO PROVIDE A RANGE OF SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES IN A SIX COUNTY AREA DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY AND GIVE LOW-INCOME PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR STANDARD OF LIVING AND ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

Income
$12.1 million
Spending
$12.1 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
-0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 89%
Employees
176
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$155,657, 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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (4)
  1. $4.5 million spent. HEADSTART & EARLY HEADSTART PROGRAM FOR CHILDRENAGE 3-5 PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES. AGE 0-3 PROGRAM FOR INFANT TODDLERS, PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.
  2. $2.6 million spent. WEATHERIZATION AND HOUSING DOE & LIHEAP - HELP INCOME ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS MAKE THEIR MOBILE HOMES, APARTMENTS, AND HOUSES ENERGY EFFICIENT. HOME & HELPING HANDS - HOUSING ASSISTANCE (REHABILITATION, LOW-INCOME HOME CONSTRUCTION) TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND EXTEND THE LIFE OF HOMES IN THE SIX COUNTY SERVICE AREA BASED ON ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE EXCEL ENERGY AND REGION V COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
  3. $1.5 million spent. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM THE CACFP PROGRAM PROVIDES CASH ASSISTANCE FOR PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS TO CHILDREN - AGES 0-12 IN FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES.
  4. $3.0 million spent. NUTRITION AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES SURPLUS COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION (CSFP) PROVIDE MONTHLY DISTRIBUTIONS OF SURPLUS USDA COMMODITIES TO ELDERLY AND DISABLED HOUSEHOLDS. SELF- SUFFICIENCY PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED AS A GOAL ORIENTED CASE MANAGEMENT DESIGNED TO ASSIST LOW INCOME & DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS DECREASE GOVERNMENT DEPENDENCY. GOALS ADDRESSED MAY BE EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, HOUSING OR MONEY MANAGEMENT RELATED. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE HIV PREVENTION AND VOLUNTARY INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA). CHILDREN SERVICES - A FULL DAY, YEAR-ROUND CHILD CARE CENTER IS PROVIDED FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED IN HEAD START WITH THE GOALS TO HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP EMOTIONALLY AND SOCIALLY, ENCOURAGE SELF - CONFIDENCE, SELF - EXPRESSION, AND SELF - DISCIPLINE, AND PROMOTE CURIOSITY. SENDCAA PROVIDES CHILDREN SERVICES INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH. ITS MAJOR SOURCES OF REVENUE CONSIST OF VARIOUS FEDERAL, STATE, AND OTHER GRANTS. COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (CHDO) THE CHDO MONITORS COMPLIANCE AND PAYMENTS ON FUNDS ADVANCED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. BEING A CHDO ALLOWS SENDCAA TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL ALLOCATED FUNDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

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 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 July 1966.

    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 October 21, 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.