Stories Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Stories Foundation exists to empower communities to end the cycle of human trafficking by starting and supporting social enterprises that raise awareness, offer opportunities for economic independence, and fund the fight against human trafficking.
- Income
- $340,767
- Spending
- $373,098
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 5.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 60%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $66,875, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 37% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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
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 (3)
- $35,906 spent. General Awareness/Education: Stories Foundation brings general awareness to Minnesota through social media, in person awareness events in partnership with local community groups and through Storyteller Cafe. Stories Foundation educates on what human trafficking is, the root causes of human trafficking, what it looks like locally and what we can do to spot it and prevent it. Stories Foundation was born out of the belief that when people learn about human trafficking and how it affects our communities, they would want to do something to fight against it. We also host quarterly storytelling events that bring awareness at Storyteller Cafe, as well as two yearly awareness events for the community in partnership with local law enforcement and subject matter experts.
- $251,785 spent. Storyteller Cafe - In April of 2025, Storyteller Cafe officially opened its doors. Storyteller Cafe is a giveback cafe where we sell food products and boutique items as well as host awareness events with the goal of spreading awareness about human trafficking, empowering people to make a difference through purposeful purchasing as a first step, and create opportunities for survivors and those vulnerable through jobs and training. In 2025 we provided 295 hours of employment to survivors of human trafficking through the cafe. Storyteller Cafe served 14,557 drinks, and held 12 community events.
- $4,552 spent. Love, Sophia: The Love, Sophia Project is Stories Foundation's outreach and prevention program that covers emotional vulnerabilities in 14-24 year-olds by providing education about healthy relationships and safe community. All of what we do is geared towards preventing human trafficking. We also served 14 survivors in 2025 through wrap around services.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.