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Connections Ministry

EIN 81-3920157 · Mankato, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WALKING WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS BY EXTENDING A RADICAL WELCOME THAT PROVIDES DIGNITY, SHELTER, AND COMMUNITY.

Income
$747,669
Spending
$685,044
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
30
Volunteers
440
Highest pay
$70,000, 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% 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 20% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (4)
  1. $317,835 spent. CONNECTIONS SHELTER - LOW BARRIER SHELTER THAT OPERATES FROM APPROX. OCTOBER 1 TO MAY 1. WE HAVE 48 BEDS AND SERVE MEN, WOMEN AND FAMILIES. GUESTS APPLY FOR SHELTER VIA OUR WEBSITE, GO THROUGH AN INTAKE PROCESS AND ARE GIVEN A BED FOR 30 DAYS, ALONG WITH AN ASSIGNED NAVIGATOR TO ASSIST WITH OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO HOUSING. WE ARE OPEN FROM 5PM TO 8AM, AND WE ALSO PROVIDE A HOT DINNER EACH NIGHT, SHOWERS, HYGIENE ITEMS, CLOTHING, ETC. 2-3 PAID STAFF ARE IN THE SHELTER DURING ALL OPERATING HOURS.
  2. $171,022 spent. GENERAL PROGRAMS - EXPENSES THAT APPLY TO BOTH PROGRAMS, SPECIAL EVENTS, ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, ETC.
  3. $21,735 spent. DROP-IN CENTER - THE DROP-IN CENTER HOUSES OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICES, AS WELL AS SERVES AS A PLACE FOR GUESTS TO ACCESS BASIC NEEDS AND RESOURCES DURING THE DAY. GUESTS CAN ALSO MEET WITH THEIR ASSIGNED NAVIGATORS DURING THE DAY TO HELP WITH HOUSING AND OTHER RESOURCES.
  4. $8,326 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: ASSISTANCE AND SHELTER CHURCH

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

  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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2019.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.