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Ostara Initiative

EIN 82-4855661 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE EXIST TO COLLECTIVELY TRANSFORM SYSTEMS BY REIMAGINING JUSTICE, ADVANCING HEALTH, AND RECLAIMING DIGNITY IN OUR POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR ALL PREGNANT AND PARENTING PEOPLE.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
18
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$97,896, 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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 (1)
  1. $1.3 million spent. MINNESOTA PRISON DOULA PROJECTIN 2024, THE MINNESOTA PRISON DOULA PROJECT (MNPDP) SERVED OVER 600 JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS IN CORRECTIONAL SETTINGS AND LAUNCHED A COMMUNITY CHAPTER TO EXTEND CARE BEYOND INCARCERATION. TRAINED DOULAS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE PROVIDED PRENATAL, BIRTH, AND POSTPARTUM SUPPORT, WHILE THE ORGANIZATION EXPANDED ITS 12-WEEK PARENTING GROUPS, TRAUMA-INFORMED PEER SUPPORT, AND VIRTUAL FAMILY REUNIFICATION SERVICES. MNPDP ADDRESSED HEALTH DISPARITIES THAT INCREASE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS' RISKS FOR CHRONIC ILLNESS, MATERNAL STRESS, AND POOR REINTEGRATION OUTCOMES, WHILE RECOGNIZING PARENTAL INCARCERATION AS A CRITICAL ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE (ACE) THAT DISRUPTS CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND CONTRIBUTES TO INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA. TO COUNTER THESE IMPACTS, MNPDP DELIVERED A FULL CONTINUUM OF CARECONNECTING FAMILIES TO HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT, HEALTHCARE, LEGAL AID, TRANSPORTATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND PARENTING RESOURCESENSURING HEALTHIER BIRTHS, STRONGER FAMILIES, AND SAFER REENTRY. ALABAMA PRISON BIRTH PROJECTIN 2024, THE ALABAMA PRISON BIRTH PROJECT (APBP) PROVIDED TRAUMA-INFORMED PERINATAL AND PARENTING SUPPORT TO 29 JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE STATE. SERVICES INCLUDED 1:1 DOULA CARE (62 VISITS), BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM SUPPORT FOR 7 PREGNANT INDIVIDUALS, AND 9 STRUCTURED PARENT-CHILD VISITATION SESSIONS TO FOSTER MATERNAL BONDING. GROUP PROGRAMMING WAS OFFERED 46 TIMES FOR 866 CLIENT EDUCATION HOURS, WHILE 1:1 PEER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SESSIONS OCCURRED 69 TIMES. THREE PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN LACTATION SUPPORT SERVICES AND EXPRESSED 3,131 OUNCES OF BREAST MILK. APBP ADDRESSED NUTRITION INSECURITY BY PROVIDING 433 HEALTHY MEALS TO PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM PARTICIPANTS. FIFTEEN VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED THEIR TIME AND SKILLS TO MEAL PREPARATION AND BLANKET AND HAT CRAFTING. A TEAM OF 4 STAFF AND CONTRACTORS MANAGED ALL ASPECTS OF PROGRAMMING AND SUPPORT

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 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 July 2017.

    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.

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