Passes our checks

Leech Lake Legacy

EIN 46-0840535 · Minnetonka, MN

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

What it says it does

Animal welfare organization serving the residents of Leech Lake Reservation and surrounding communities.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 29.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
5 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5
Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10
Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5
Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)

$67,529 spent. Surrender and Transport: To reduce the number of animals (primarily cats and dogs) by accepting surrenders, caring for them, placing them with and transporting them to partner shelters and rescues. 2320 animals were placed and transported in 2025, of which 1162 were surrenders to Leech Lake Legacy
$47,012 spent. Spay/Neuter: To reduce the number of unwanted animals (primarily cats and dogs), and to improve the health of companion and community animals by providing low cost spay/neuter services. 171 surgeries provided by Leech Lake Legacy in 2025, plus approximately 62 additional surgeries arranged for with other entities.
$38,624 spent. Wellness: To improve the quality of life of owned, community, and surrendered animals (primarily cats and dogs) by providing low-cost wellness exams, services, vaccines, preventatives, and treatments of illnesses and injuries. 465 wellness visits provided by Leech Lake Legacy in 2025.
$8,605 spent. Medical expense and emergency

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

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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.