Northern Star Charities
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We empower young adults along the Front Range to make the transition from surviving to thriving, to be self-sufficient, and to be positive contributors in their community. Using a peer support model, we provide structure to help them set their own goals and help each individual to choose their path and to make conscious decisions to break unhealthy family cycles. We are a change agent, rallying our community to offer the opportunity for our vulnerable young adults to create their own narrative.
- Income
- $37,827
- Spending
- $73,626
- Reserves
- -21.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 3 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 91% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 95% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
- $66,503 spent. Polaris House is the residential property where True North's independent transitional housing program is run. It has been in operation since 2003, and for over 18 years, Polaris House has served youth who are survivors of abuse, neglect, addiction, delinquency, homelessness and those transitioning out of foster care services. We have provided safe, sober, supportive, affordable and compassionate transitional housing to over 165 underserved and deserving young adults between the ages of 16 - 26. Our scholarship fund supports tuition awards for students pursuing vocational training opportunities, associates degrees, community college programs, and education at the University of Colorado. We partner with Achieving Academic Success, CU Guardian Scholars, and the TRIO program to help our scholars pursue their goals.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 2024.
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 September 2014.
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.