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Project 412

EIN 88-3176887 · Detroit Lakes, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROJECT 412 IS RECOGNIZED AS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION (EIN 88 3176887), ORGANIZED AND OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PUBLIC CHARITABLE PURPOSE AND HAVING A MISSION TO ELEVATE THE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC VIBRANCY OF DETROIT LAKES AND THE SURROUNDING 412 LAKES AREA. AS A CATALYST, CHEERLEADER, AND CONNECTOR FOR PUBLIC ART, FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS, FREE COACHING AND SUPPORT TO ENTREPRENEURS, AND PLACEMAKING, PROJECT 412 QUALIFIES FOR SALES TAX EXEMPTION UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES ?297A.70, SUBD.4.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
6
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$105,000, 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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 (5)
  1. $1.0 million spent. PROJECT 412 WAS CREATED WITH THE SOLE PUBLIC CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF MAKING DETROIT LAKES A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL. THE MISSION IS TO ELEVATE THE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC VIBRANCY OF THE 412 LAKES AREA AND WE DO THAT BY OFFERING A PLETHORA OF FREE EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE CREATING A NEW PUBLIC PARK THAT WILL PROVIDE FREE ACCESS TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND ALL VISITORS TO 50 ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE, PUBLIC ART, AND TRAILS. WE PROMOTE THE ARTS IN A WAY THAT FOSTERS MENTAL HEALTH, COMMUNITY CONNECTION, CIVIC PRIDE, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING. WE HAVE HIRED ARTISTS TO CREATE VIBRANT MURALS AND SMALLER ART SURPRISES PLUS WE'VE COMMISSIONED PERMANENT SCULPTURES FOR PUBLIC SPACES INCLUDING THE THOMAS DAMBO GIANT TROLL PROJECT. WE AIM TO TRANSFORM PUBLIC SPACES INTO CREATIVE, THOUGHT-PROVOKING ENVIRONMENTS. OUR PROJECTS, LIKE CLIMBING BOULDERS AND GIANT KITES ON THE LAKE, ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ENGAGE WITH ART IN UNEXPECTED AND PLAYFUL WAYS. WE BELIEVE THAT ART HAS THE POWER TO UPLIFT, HEAL, AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, CREATING A SENSE OF PRIDE AND UNITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THROUGH THESE INSTALLATIONS, WE STRIVE TO SPARK JOY, INSPIRE CREATIVITY, AND PROVIDE EVERYONE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO FEEL CONNECTED TO THEIR SURROUNDINGS AND EACH OTHER. PROJECT 412 WAS CREATED WITH THE SOLE PUBLIC CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF MAKING DETROIT LAKES A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL. THE MISSION IS TO ELEVATE THE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC VIBRANCY OF THE 412 LAKES AREA AND WE DO THAT BY OFFERING A PLETHORA OF FREE EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE CREATING A NEW PUBLIC PARK THAT WILL PROVIDE FREE ACCESS TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND ALL VISITORS TO 50 ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE, PUBLIC ART, AND TRAILS. WE PROMOTE THE ARTS IN A WAY THAT FOSTERS MENTAL HEALTH, COMMUNITY CONNECTION, CIVIC PRIDE, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING. WE HAVE HIRED ARTISTS TO CREATE VIBRANT MURALS AND SMALLER ART SURPRISES PLUS WE'VE COMMISSIONED PERMANENT SCULPTURES FOR PUBLIC SPACES INCLUDING THE THOMAS DAMBO GIANT TROLL PROJECT. WE AIM TO TRANSFORM PUBLIC SPACES INTO CREATIVE, THOUGHT-PROVOKING ENVIRONMENTS. OUR PROJECTS, LIKE CLIMBING BOULDERS AND GIANT KITES ON THE LAKE, ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ENGAGE WITH ART IN UNEXPECTED AND PLAYFUL WAYS. WE BELIEVE THAT ART HAS THE POWER TO UPLIFT, HEAL, AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, CREATING A SENSE OF PRIDE AND UNITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THROUGH THESE INSTALLATIONS, WE STRIVE TO SPARK JOY, INSPIRE CREATIVITY, AND PROVIDE EVERYONE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO FEEL CONNECTED TO THEIR SURROUNDINGS AND EACH OTHER.
  2. $52,606 spent. AS STATED IN OUR MISSION, 100% OF ALL WE DO IS FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES. WE HAVE CREATED A SERIES OF FREE MUSIC CONCERTS IN THE PARK THAT BRING SO MUCH JOY, HEALING, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING TO OUR COMMUNITY. MUSIC HAS THE POWER TO CONNECT PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IN A RELAXED, OPEN ENVIRONMENT LIKE OUR CITY PARK WHERE PEOPLE CAN GATHER WITHOUT BARRIERS. WE HELP SUPPORT LOCAL TALENT AND OFFER VARIOUS GENRES TO APPEAL TO ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, HELPING TO FORM LASTING HUMAN CONNECTIONS.
  3. $21,997 spent. OUR ECOSYSTEM BUILDER PROGRAM IS A FREE CHARITABLE SERVICE CENTERED ON COMMUNITY GROWTH AND WELL-BEING, WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT IN FOSTERING LONG- TERM POSITIVE CHANGE. BY OFFERING FREE COACHING AND SUPPORT TO NEW ENTREPRENEURS AND EXISTING BUSINESSES, WE'RE CREATING A DYNAMIC AND THRIVING LOCAL ECONOMY. THE FUTURE ADDITION OF GARDEN SPACES AND TRAILS WILL GREATLY ENHANCE THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, TOO, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING A SERENE SPACE FOR FAMILIES TO RECONNECT. WE CREATE FREE COLLABORATIVE EVENTS THAT BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, SPARK IDEAS AND SHARE KNOWLEDGE. BY PROVIDING A PLATFORM FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO EXCHANGE THESE IDEAS, WE'RE FOSTERING A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP AND INVOLVEMENT THAT CAN LEAD TO LASTING PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATIONS.
  4. $300,488 spent. TO PROMOTE ART, MUSIC, EVENTS, AND COMMUNITY IN THE DETROIT LAKES AREA.
  5. TO PROMOTE ART, MUSIC, EVENTS, AND COMMUNITY IN THE DETROIT LAKES 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 November 2022.

    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.