Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Change Starts With Me

EIN 85-1322019 · Woodbury, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceWeak42 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 28% of its spending went to programs.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 18843 cents.

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

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF CHANGESTARTSWITHME IS TO REBUILD OUR COMMUNITY PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY BY ASSISTING FELLOW MINNESOTANS WHO HAVE BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE RECENT SOCIAL, HEALTH AND ECONOMIC CRISES. OUR GOAL IS TO LISTEN AND BETTER UNDERSTAND RACIAL INEQUALITY THAT EXISTS IN OUR STATE AND BEYOND, THEN TAKE ACTION TO DRIVE LONG-TERM POSITIVE CHANGE. NO MATTER BIG OR SMALL, EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY. HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE, FIGHT THE BATTLES YOU DEEM NECESSARY, AND STAY IN PURSUIT OF CHANGE. MAKE THE DECISION TO LEAVE AN IMPACT AND CONTINUE TO STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. OUR HEARTS LIE WITH CITIZENS OF COLOR AND OUR SIGHTS ARE SET ON A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$4.8 million
Spent on programs
28%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$32,003, treasurer

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: 43 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 75% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    28% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18843 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

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $1.3 million spent. UNDERSERVED YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS: WE CAREFULLY SELECT AND SPONSOR INNER-CITY PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS, MUSIC, THE ARTS AND SPORTS. THESE GUIDED PROGRAMS GIVE CHILDREN THE SELF-CONFIDENCE AND MENTORSHIP NEEDED TO SOAR, AND CREATE FRIENDSHIPS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME. ASSISTANCE TO NON-PROFIT YOUTH PROGRAMS IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, RESOURCES AND MENTORSHIP. ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, FOOD AND FACILITIES AS NEEDED. STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.
  2. ADDRESSING FOOD & ESSENTIALS INSECURITIES: HOSTING DONATION DRIVES TO PROVIDE FOOD AND ESSENTIALS TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS. MOBILIZING LARGE SCALE, ON THE SPOT DISTRIBUTION EVENTS IN THE WAKE OF CRISES. PROVIDING MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLIES TO THOSE IN NEED. GATHERING AND DISTRIBUTING HEALTHY MEAL KITS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
  3. UNDERSERVED YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS:WE CAREFULLY SELECT AND SPONSOR INNER-CITY PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS, MUSIC, THE ARTS AND SPORTS. THESE GUIDED PROGRAMS GIVE CHILDREN THE SELF-CONFIDENCE AND MENTORSHIP NEEDED TO TRULY SOAR, AND FRIENDSHIPS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME. ASSISTANCE TO NON-PROFIT YOUTH PROGRAMS IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, RESOURCES AND MENTORSHIP. ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, FOOD AND FACILITIES AS NEEDED. STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.
  4. UNDERSERVED YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS:WE CAREFULLY SELECT AND SPONSOR INNER-CITY PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS, MUSIC, THE ARTS AND SPORTS. THESE GUIDED PROGRAMS GIVE CHILDREN THE SELF-CONFIDENCE AND MENTORSHIP NEEDED TO TRULY SOAR, AND FRIENDSHIPS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME. ASSISTANCE TO NON-PROFIT YOUTH PROGRAMS IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, RESOURCES AND MENTORSHIP. ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, FOOD AND FACILITIES AS NEEDED. STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.

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 August 2020.

    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.