How Nonprofits Spend Money in Minnesota

Nonprofit spending analysis for Minnesota: 85% goes to programs, 11% to administration, 4% to fundraising. Based on 482 organizations.

9,991Total Nonprofits
482Report Spending
85%Avg Programs
11%Avg Admin
4%Avg Fundraising
$202.9BTotal Revenue
85% Programs
11% Admin
4% Fund

Spending Analysis

Among 9,991 nonprofits in Minnesota, 482 report detailed spending breakdowns. On average, 85% of expenses go directly to charitable programs, 11% to administrative costs, and 4% to fundraising activities.

Minnesota nonprofits demonstrate strong program efficiency, with the average organization directing 85% of spending to programs — above the widely-cited 75% benchmark used by charity watchdog organizations.

The 482 organizations collectively manage $202.9B in revenue and $355.0B in assets, making spending efficiency a critical metric for the charitable sector in Minnesota.

Most Efficient Nonprofits in Minnesota

#OrganizationProgram %RevenueScore
1Hormel Foods Corporation Chartible Tr100%$356K95/100
2Thunderbird Mining Co Retiree Health & Welfare Benefits Pl & Tr100%$1.1M95/100
3Consumer Choice Services Inc98%$236.8M92/100
4Farmington Youth Basketball Association95%$308K92/100
5Krishna Bhakti Seva Sangh95%$230K85/100
6Ibew Local 665 Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Fund95%$1.8M90/100
7Pipe Trades Services Mn Retiree Health Fund95%$31.8M90/100
8Utility Workers Union Of America National Health And Welfare Fund95%$37.6M90/100
9Krinkie Family Foundation95%$214K95/100
10Lakes International Language Academy95%$19.2M85/100
11Cmcs Foundation95%$1.1M90/100
12Marvin Warroad Area Foundation95%$1.6M95/100
13Minnesotans Military Appreciation Fund95%$2.9M95/100
14Minneapolis Alpine Ski Team95%$137K92/100
15The Edward J Phillips Family Foundation95%$7.8M92/100
16Midwest Teamsters Health Reimbursement Arrangement Tr Fund95%$902K90/100
17William O Lund Jr And Natalie C Lund Charitable Foundation95%$1.4M90/100
18Alpha Kappa Psi House Corporation95%$182K85/100
19Diocese Of St Cloud Non Erisa Health Benefit Plan95%$5.3M90/100
20Dr Willard E And Ella N Romberg Supporting Foundation95%$558K90/100
21John And Margie Wiehoff Foundation95%$4.7M95/100
22Winona Steamboat Days Festival Association95%$200K92/100
23The Alice And Fred Wall Family Foundation95%$1.9M92/100
24The Jacobus Family Foundation95%$199K90/100
25Haddorff Family Foundation95%$974K95/100
26Douglas Machine Foundation95%$364K95/100
27Eagle Lake Fire Department Relief Association95%$2.2M85/100
28Youth Dance And Enrichment94%$147K75/100
29Andover Huskies Youth Hockey Association90%$26.7M90/100
30Westby Housing Associates Inc90%$1.9M70/100
31White Earth Investment Initiative90%$3.3M92/100
32Worthington Okabena Windsurfers Inc90%$127K95/100
33Good In The Hood90%$1.9M92/100
34City Of Lakes Youth Hockey Assn90%$276K85/100
35Lawrence Family Foundation90%$15.6M85/100
36Watertown Mayer Royal Boosters90%$169K85/100
37Lakes Area Interfaith Caregivers90%$289K92/100
38Minnesota Center For Health Care Ethics90%$368K70/100
39Everyday Miracles Inc90%$2.5M85/100
40Safe Hands Animal Rescue90%$1.3M95/100
41Mercy International Mission Usa90%$135K92/100
42Wayzata Lacrosse Association90%$280K85/100
43Twin Cities Catholic Chorale90%$166K88/100
44North East Neighborhoods Living At Home Block Nurse Program90%$137K85/100
45Ampersand Families90%$2.6M95/100
46Andover End Zone Club90%$294K85/100
47Brainerd Lakes Curling Association90%$215K85/100
48Construction Careers Foundation90%$583K92/100
49Abhe & Svoboda Inc Health And Welfare Trust90%$1.8M85/100
50Renewing The Countryside Ii90%$3.5M90/100

Least Efficient Nonprofits in Minnesota

#OrganizationProgram %Revenue
1Dede Emerson Foundation Inc50%$860K
2Witness For Peace60%$293K
3Rum Fund70%$590K
4Philanthropic Planning Group Of Greater New York Inc70%$210K
5Growth & Justice70%$200K
6Vibrant Faith Ministries70%$546K
7National Association Of Independent Lighting Distributors Inc70%$295K
8The Madison Center70%$583K
9Srcs Building Company70%$200K
10Preserve Appletons Heritage Inc70%$274K
11Service Management Group In70%$39.7M
12Hmong Education Reform Company70%$5.5M
13Carty Heights70%$491K
14Place70%$1.5M
15Mmfl Inc70%$0
16Young Adult Koinonia70%$561K
17Rivers Edge Academy70%$1.3M
18Regents Of The University Of Minnesota70%$180K
19Potato Association Of America70%$397K
20Farms International Inc70%$253K

Related Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Minnesota nonprofits spend their money?

On average, Minnesota nonprofits spend 85% on programs, 11% on administration, and 4% on fundraising. This is based on IRS 990 data from 482 organizations.

What is a good program expense ratio?

Most charity evaluators consider 75% or higher to be a strong program expense ratio. In Minnesota, the average is 85%.

How can I find the most efficient nonprofits?

The table above ranks Minnesota nonprofits by program spending percentage. You can also use our Rankings page to find the most efficient organizations nationally or by state.