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Higher Works Collaborative

EIN 83-0930283 · Saint Cloud, MN

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION WITH A FOCUS ON BIPOC (BLACK INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF COLOR).

Income
$372,381
Spending
$387,888
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
-10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
7
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$37,671, exec adminis

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 101% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 30, 2023, 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 (5)
  1. $52,441 spent. HOUSING: SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY NEEDS IN HOUSING; THROUGH ACTIVITIES, SERVICES, SUPPORT AND AID IN THE ATTAINMENT OR MAINTAINING OF HOUSING FOR OUR CLIENTS. CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR "RASHAD'S HOUSE", A MALE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM OFFERING OPTIONS FOR A NEW DIRECTION IN LIFE.
  2. $30,698 spent. BLACK EXCELLENCE: OUR PRIMARY FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN THAT ALSO FUNCTIONS AS A DAY OF COMMNITY CELEBRATIONS WHERE WE NAME THOSE WHO HAVE EXCELLED THROUGH THE YEAR IN THE AREAS WE SERVE (HOUSING, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH & WELLNESS, AND THE ARTS).
  3. $23,536 spent. ARTS & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: SUPPORT FOR THE EXPRESSION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY IN THE FORM OF TRADITIONAL ARTS AND CRAFTS, AS WELL AS, AREAS OF EXPRESSION AND BELONGING. SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, PLAYS HOSTED AND ATTENDED, WRITING WORKSHOPS, CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE TRIPS ETC.
  4. $148,610 spent. SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF WORK TO BUILD THE BLACK COMMUNITY OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA. SUPPORT THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES, SUCH AS GAS AND FOOD CARDS AND INDIRECT SERVICES, SUCH AS RESEARCH AND REFERRAL TO OTHER SERVICES.
  5. SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF WORK TO BUILD THE BLACK COMMUNITY OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA. SUPPORT THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES, SUCH AS GAS AND FOOD CARDS AND INDIRECT SERVICES, SUCH AS RESEARCH AND REFERRAL TO OTHER SERVICES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2023, 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? Caution.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2023. Organizations that miss three years of returns lose their exemption.

    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 April 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.