Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Missouri Appleseed

EIN 82-3588706 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSOURI APPLESEED BELIEVES ALL MISSOURI FAMILIES DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE. THROUGH RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, AND EDUCATION, MISSOURI APPLESEED WORKS TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT THE INTERSECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND CHILD WELFARE.

Income
$288,253
Spending
$353,481
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
5
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$88,175, executive director (from july 1, 2025)

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (social science, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (social science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    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. $170,462 spent. PUBLIC HEALTH - MISSOURI APPLESEED WORKED TO ENSURE THAT MOTHERS AND BABIES HAVE A HEALTHY START TO LIFE. WE WORKED FOR AFFORDABLE DIAPERS AND MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS TO COMBAT PERIOD POVERTY. MISSOURI APPLE HOSTED A FREE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION ON SUBSTANCE USE DURING PREGNANCY FOR OVER 100 ATTENDEES. MISSOURI APPLESEED ALSO WORKED TO MAKE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR FOOD MORE EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DRUG CONVICTIONS. MISSOURI APPLESEED TRAINED 15 MISSOURI JAILS ON MEDICAID ENROLLMENT AND WORKED WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAID (MO HEALTHNET) ON IMPLEMENTING FEDERAL MEDICAID OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS RETURNING TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.
  2. $40,602 spent. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM - MISSOURI APPLESEED HELPED ENSURE FAMILIES STAY TOGETHER BY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, ATTORNEYS, AND JUDGES ON THE EXISTENCE OF LEGISLATION REQUIRING JUDGES TO CONSIDER THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL INCARCERATION WHEN SENTENCING NONVIOLENT PRIMARY CARETAKERS OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN. MISSOURI APPLESEED ALSO RESEARCHED THE TREATMENT OF MENTALLY ILL DETAINED DEFENDANTS. MISSOURI APPLESEED ALSO WORKED TO ENSURE THAT JAILS PROVIDE PREGNANT WOMEN WITH IMPROVED NUTRITION AND PRENATAL VITAMINS WHILE INCARCERATED. MISSOURI APPLESEED HOSTED A FREE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION SESSION ON THE INTERSECTION OF PARENT RIGHTS, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND CHILD WELFARE.
  3. $39,812 spent. THE PRISON REFORM - MISSOURI APPLESEED WORKED TO MAKE IT EASIER AND AFFORDABLE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO STAY IN TOUCH WHEN A LOVED ONE IS INCARCERATED. WE WORKED TO ENSURE THAT THE STATE CANNOT TAKE MONEY FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVED SETTLEMENTS FROM THE STATE.
  4. $8,266 spent. GENERAL PROGRAMS

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 October 13, 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 September 2018.

    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 October 21, 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.