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Latino Economic Development Center

EIN 51-0467167 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To transform our community by creating economic opportunities for Latinos across the state of Minnesota. We provide a structure, support system and tool with which to promote sustainable communities.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
12.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
24
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$126,875, interim 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 (3)
  1. $609,366 spent. LEDC's Lending Program, the only Latino-focused CDFI (Community Development Fund Institution) in Minnesota and the upper Midwest, addresses the significant barriers faced by small businesses in accessing affordable capital. LEDC provides flexible underwriting standards that don't require large personal assets for collateral, and expert navigation through the complexities of capital and small business development. In 2024, LEDC's Lending program worked with clients to approve 31 loans, disbursing $2.7 million in capital and leveraging $2.4 million in capital to help our clients grow their businesses. LEDC has more than 150 active lending clients in our organization's loan portfolio totaling nearly $8 million in capital deployed to support small business growth in Minnesota.
  2. $1.6 million spent. LEDC's Business Development Program helps entrepreneurs prepare to launch or grow their business, including communications and marketing, budgeting, digital literacy, commercial insurance, taxation, and other areas of technical assistance. Our Business Development associates guide each member in creating their business plan and provide access to resources and education needed to meet their goals. Through direct support and referrals to specialized service providers, we support clients with their needs in finance, legal issues, technology, information technology (IT), human resources (HR) issues, and industry-specific regulations. Last year, LEDC's Business Development program supported more than 700 aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through business development workshops and one-on-one business consulting provided in Spanish and English.
  3. $393,049 spent. LEDC's Agriculture Program, an extension of our Business Development program with a technical focus on the agricultural sector, provides technical assistance, business development, and access to affordable capital and markets that help beginning and established farmers and entrepreneurs start new farming or food production enterprises or grow their existing farm businesses. Additional services include Organic and GAP certification and navigating the complex system of government agriculture programs. Throughout 2024, LEDC's Agriculture program provided technical assistance to 96 farmers and agriculture-focused businesses and supported businesses with closing three loans deploying a total of $580,000 of capital.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 December 2003.

    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.