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Saint Paul Downtown Alliance

EIN 82-4187263 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SAINT PAUL DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE HAS CREATED A BUSINESS MODEL CENTERED AROUND HAVING A MODEST AND LEAN GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET THAT IS SUPPORTED BY YEARLY PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR CONTRIBUTIONS AND DOING ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISING FOR OTHER SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES. WHEN THE SAINT PAUL DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2018 THREE STANDING COMMITTEES WERE FORMED AT THE SAME TIME: DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE, EMPLOYER EXPANSION, AND SSD (SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT) FEASIBILITY.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$162,014, executive di

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 45% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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

    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

    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. $187,509 spent. THE DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE, TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE HOW WORKERS AND VISITORS EXPERIENCED DOWNTOWN, PRIMARILY THROUGH PLACEMAKING AND OTHER PUBLIC REALM ACTIVATIONS
  2. $94,941 spent. EMPLOYER EXPANSION, TO ATTRACT NEW EMPLOYERS, RETAIN EXISTING EMPLOYERS, AND GROW THE JOB BASE IN DOWNTOWN
  3. $1.8 million spent. ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT (SAFE AND CLEAN) WHICH BRINGS GOVERNMENT, NONPROFIT, AND FOR PROFIT ENTITIES TOGETHER FOR THE BETTERMENT AND SAFETY OF THE DOWNTOWN SAINT PAUL AREA

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 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 2024.

    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 May 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 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.