Governmental and Educational Assistance Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We empower our employees to support older adults in achieving fulfilling lifestyles, while maintaining responsible stewardship of our resources. Our five core values are: Caring, Respect, Collaboration, Innovation, and Stewardship.
- Income
- $59.0 million
- Spending
- $54.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -17.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 94%
- Employees
- 1,175
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $541,309, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 89% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (1)
- $46.4 million spent. In FY2025, VPC served over 1,000 residents and employed a staff of over 750. The organization owned ten senior living communities, offering independent living, assisted living, care suites, and memory care across three states: Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. VPC owns and directly manages all of the location.(Continued on Schedule O)VPC was incorporated in 1997 as a nonprofit organization for charitable purposes under its original name Governmental & Educational Assistance Corporation. In 2025, VPC provided over $4.4 million in charitable support to qualifying residents in various public assistance programs. VPC is dedicated to the highest possible quality, striving to provide innovative and relevant services through collaborative partnerships; making a significant difference in the lives of those we serve and their loved ones. For more information, visit www.vistaprairie.org. The Vision of Vista Prairie Communities is to continually evolve to enrich the lives of those we are called to serve and to meet the growing needs of the greater community. * Vista Prairie at Brentwood (Rice Lake, WI) 47 unit assisted living and memory care.* Vista Prairie at Copperleaf (Willmar, MN) 86 unit assisted living, memory care and care suites community. * Vista Prairie at Fieldcrest (Sheldon, IA) 81 unit assisted living and memory care.* Vista Prairie at Garnette Gardens (Redwood Falls, MN) 87 unit assisted living and memory care community. * Vista Prairie at Goldfinch Estates (Fairmont, MN) 133 unit assisted living, memory care and care suites community. * Vista Prairie at North Pointe (North Mankato, MN) 100 unit assisted living and care suites community. * Vista Prairie at Red Cedar Canyon (Hudson, WI) 68 unit independent living, assisted living and memory care community. * Vista Prairie at Ridgeway (New Ulm, MM) 61 unit and 55 unit assisted living and memory care communities.* Vista Prairie at Windmill Ponds (Alexandria, MN) 91 unit assisted living, memory care and care suites community. We are pleased to report progress in the following key areas. Financial Stewardship Through strategic occupancy growth and cost management, VPC exceeded its budgeted operating margin. This financial strength supports reinvestment in care delivery, staff support and mission-driven programming.Expansion and Community Growth VPC advanced development of Vista Prairie at Eagle Pointe, a 134-unit senior living community in St. Francis, Minnesota. Construction was underway on the planned unit mix, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and care suites with an anticipated opening in November 2025. This project positions VPC to meet growing community needs and expand access to exceptional care in joy-filled environments.Strategic Acquisition VPC acquired Vista Prairie at Red Cedar Canyon in Hudson, Wisconsin, a 91-unit senior living community serving older adults in the St. Croix Valley region. This acquisition expands VPC's service footprint and strengthens its mission to serve more individuals with compassionate, high-quality care in purpose-driven communities.Advancing Resident Well-being Through Innovation VPC continued implementation of CarePredict technology, a cutting-edge AI-based care platform that has improved resident health outcomes by reducing hospitalizations and falls. This initiative reinforces VPC's focus on proactive, data-informed care practices.Future Stability and Enhancements VPC invested more than $720,000 in capital improvements at Goldfinch Estates, completing renovations aligned with the Aspire Lifestyle. These investments improved the physical environment, supported staff efficiency, and extended the useful life of the assets.Strategic Portfolio Alignment -- During the year, VPC completed the sale of Emerald Village as part of a strategic effort to better align its portfolio with organizational mission and operational focus. VPC was not responsible for the day-to-day management of the community, and divestment allowed the organization to concentrate resources, leadership, and capital on communities where it directly oversees operations and can most effectively advance its mission.Vista Praire Communities remains committed to its mission of serving older adults by providing compassionate care and joy-filled environments in the communities we serve.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 September 1998.
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.