2025-01-27T14:48:05-08:00 2023-12-31 463893925 Walker Giroux & Hahne LLC 225 1st Street N Suite 2400 Virginia MN 55792 990 2023-01-01 410904805 KOOTASCA COMMUNITY ACTION INC KOOT 2189990800 822 NE 5th AVE GRAND RAPIDS MN 55744 NOLAN TOME CFO 2025-01-27 true true Thomas Kelly P01240546 2187494880 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z 822 NE 5th AVE GRAND RAPIDS MN 55744 9776078 false X www.kootasca.org X 1965 MN KOOTASCA Community Action helps individuals, families, and communities fight the multiple causes and challenges of poverty. Community Action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. 14 12 103 300 0 10923088 9442639 176277 319094 -16489 14345 0 11082876 9776078 220061 595468 0 5498241 5182541 0 0 3252251 2645248 8970553 8423257 2112323 1352821 5542750 6621290 1595962 1339256 3946788 5282034 The mission of KOOTASCA Community Action, Inc. is "Building Community to End Poverty." This is done by helping low income people build assets, providing high quality early childhood education, and engaging the community through collaborative partnerships with other community resources. false false 3956714 Education1) KOOTASCA Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for low-income children (birth through five years old) in Itasca and Koochiching Counties. It provides children with a developmentally appropriate early childhood education. The program ensures that young children receive health checkups, medical treatment, oral health screenings, and nutritious meals every day. Parents also receive benefits when their children attend our Head Start program. The parents receive guidance from our family support staff and teachers to help support their children at home and to help eliminate barriers to self-sufficiency. Parents learn to create stimulating home environments and engage in educational activities with their children. Head Start services are provided through a variety of program options, including Early Head Start which serves pregnant women and children up to age three. We have classroom-based programming that is 4-5 days per week for children 3- to 5-years old. Parents of Head Start children are encouraged to volunteer within the program in a variety of ways and can build leadership skills by participating in the Parent Policy Council. Policy Council members are parents of currently enrolled Head Start children. The members act as a link between KOOTASCA Head Start staff and the families that the program serves. The Policy Council must work in partnership with key Head Start management and the KOOTASCA Board of Directors to develop, review, and approve policies; create strategic program directions and decisions; develop criteria for the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of children; and approve funding applications along with personnel and other business-orientated activities that require Policy Council's approval. KOOTASCA Head Start serves 8 infant and toddlers and 187 preschool children with Federal Funding and another 19 children with State funding across Itasca and Koochiching Counties. 2) The Teen Age Parent Program (TAPP) began in the Grand Rapids school district in 1971. School districts were mandated by the State of Minnesota to provide educational opportunities to pregnant and parenting teens. In 1993, KOOTASCA Community Action assumed the operation and management of the Teen Age Parent Program as the funding allocations to the local school districts for the program declined. The population that TAPP serves is one of our communitys most vulnerable. Pregnant and parenting teens are the most likely to drop out of school, potentially leading to a life in poverty for the teenage parent and his or her child. KOOTASCAs TAPP program provides educational opportunities that count towards credit hours for high school graduation in a variety of settings that best fit the needs of the participant. The TAPP provides additional education on topics geared to the pregnant and parenting teen, including: labor and delivery, prenatal nutrition, sudden unexpected infant death syndrome (SUIDS), shaken baby syndrome, birth control and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), cooking, nutrition, personal finances, and budgeting.3) KOOTASCA reviews and updates the community needs assessment annually to determine the greatest areas of local need and adjusts to meet those needs. The 2023 Community Assessment indicated that Koochiching County lacked childcare facilities for infants and toddlers, despite a growing number of infants and toddlers residing in the County. To best meet the needs of families with young children, KOOTASCA Head Start converted 13 Preschool Head Start slots into 8 Infant-Toddler Early Head Start slots. An Infant-Toddler classroom has been in operation since 2021 in International Falls. This has been a positive step in meeting the needs of families. 4)KOOTASCA Community Action has renovated a 38,000-square-foot former Elementary School to serve as the Grand Rapids Early Childhood Hub. Our goal from the start was to transform this former elementary school into a bustling hub for Early Childhood Education partners, brimming with vitality and purpose.Our extensive network of collaborators spans various sectors, from Head Start and Early Head Start to blended classrooms with the local school district, and the Teenage Parent Program. In addition, the space hosts two family Childcare providers who are running their private Childcare business from this location. Together, we are focused on addressing the childcare needs of our community. Through our combined efforts, the Early Childhood Hub has emerged as the largest childcare facility in the region, catering to 156 slots for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, as well as 36 families participating in Early Childhood Family Education and up to 32 family childcare spots, 22 of which are currently filled. But our vision extends far beyond childcare. We're committed to broadening access to social and workforce services for families and teen parents, fostering an environment that nurtures community growth. The HUB partners with our neighboring Community Action Agency AEOA which provides Adult Basic Education and jobs & training services to families. We are also addressing food insecurity by partnering with the Local Farmers Market for a monthly food distribution program. Additionally, we offer valuable long-term early childhood education internship opportunities for college students, enriching both our future workforce and educational experiences.With donations from many entities including DEED, our facility boasts a fully accessible community playground, with plans for exciting community programming including open gym nights and family movie nights.This project has had many challenges, but it is all worth it when you walk in the door and witness the magic that is happening. With two indoor, large motor spaces and the largest playground in the area children, staff and families love being part of the HUB. One of our Childcare providers stated that she would no longer be in the business if she had not found this space. The other is a new provider that did not have the space needed in her home. 2689787 Asset Development and Housing: The goal is to build community and organizational capacity allowing all Low to Moderate Income (LMI) households the opportunity for safe affordable housing and increased development of assets. The accomplishments of this strategy for 2023 are as follows:1) The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides primary heat funding to reduce energy burden for LMI households through direct payments to energy vendors. As an assistance program, the payments are made to help keep the households heat on and are targeted to those vendors essential to maintaining the households primary heat source. A crisis component of the program makes additional Crisis funding available to prevent utility disconnections or disruptions in service for delivered heating fuels. An Energy Related Repair (ERR) component of the program provides emergency repair or replacement of non-functioning primary heat sources in emergency (no heat) situations or where health and safety hazards exist. In Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2023, 3588 households experienced reduced energy burden and safe continuous heat through primary heat funding, 1574 households avoided interruptions in service through crisis funding, and 280 households maintained safe heat through ERR emergency furnace services.2) The federal Department of Energy Weatherization Program (DOE WAP) provides funding to reduce energy burden for LMI households through building shell and mechanical system energy conservation upgrades. Insulation, air infiltration reduction, heating source(s), base loads, and indoor air quality are all addressed through a comprehensive energy audit process. The program also provides client education for low- or no-cost energy savings measures and occupant behaviors. LIHEAP Weatherization and utility based funds are often braided with DOE WAP and occasionally used independently of DOE WAP allowing for additional unit completions. At the time of this report within the State Fiscal Year of 2023, a reduced energy burden has been realized for: 11 households utilizing DOE with LIHEAP, and an additional 13 households utilizing LIHEAP only.3) The 2022 Weatherization Assistance Program Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides us additional funding (DOE BIL) through the Department of Energy to serve additional LMI households in reducing their energy burden through building shell and mechanical system energy conservation upgrades. Insulation, air infiltration reduction, heating source(s), base loads, and indoor air quality are all addressed through a comprehensive energy audit process. The program also provides client education for low- or no-cost energy savings measures and occupant behaviors. LIHEAP Weatherization and utility based funds are often braided with DOE BIL funds. At the time of this report within the State Fiscal Year of 2023, a reduced energy burden has been realized for: 14 households utilizing DOE BIL with LIHEAP. 4) KOOTASCA's Home Ownership program just celebrated providing housing services for 30 years. With assisting LMI individuals and families with obtaining their first home offering services in home ownership education, housing counseling, financial wellness, and financial assistance. The first-time homebuyer program works toward housing stability. Low-income first time buyers sometimes have difficulties securing an affordable home due to credit history, lack of downpayment funds, inability to navigate the mortgage lending process and financial planning. These barriers are more acute due to a stagnant economy for housing services, decrease in government funding and a decrease in affordable housing. All these factors created an increased demand for buyer assistance services.Today we are seeing historical high-priced homes and available homes are down or almost nonexistent. Houses available need major renovation to become decent, safe, and sanitary housing. A downfall for our served populations is placed in the position to make the transaction with no inspection. Over 75% are waiving inspection contingencies is the exception, not the rule. As the homebuying season approaches, mortgage rates have risen to an all-time high in over 10 years, after student loan deferment over COVID times payments are now due, the high cost of limited resources of everyday living (groceries, gas, transportation, daycare) just to mention a few and still the lack of affordable housing market inventory set the stage of barriers for target populations we serve. Additional barriers show up in rental vacancies, rates remain below 1% and new listings in the region are -32% of todays buyers which are made up of first-time buyers, millennials, and want to buy vs rent. Again, high demand, low supply; home prices and rents continue to rise faster than income. 4 out of 5 buyers state they are unable to save for a downpayment in todays economy. Further, many LMI households face additional barriers to home ownership, including incomplete or incorrect knowledge about purchasing a home and available financing options, insufficient cash for down payments, unacceptable credit history, and high debt-to-income ratios. comprehensive homeownership assistance inclding: education, pre purchase counseling, financial wellmess, down payment and closing cost assistance.In todays housing arena, the problem for LMI households is housing insecurity. Conversely, housing security is the single greatest factor in improving the health, safety, education, and economic potential for both individuals and communities. We know homeownership is one of the most reliable ways to build long-term wealth and financial security.Homeonwership presents a significant opportunity for low income households to build long term assets and wealth. The average net worth of homeowners in our country is more han 80 times that of renters. We see growing awareness that housing health and equity go hand n' hand. We strengthen households through our services to be more informed by dismissing myths and misinformation. We educate buyers and increase their ability to be competitive in the current housing arena. The time for education and advocacy is now.A combination of Federal, State, and local funding sources is leveraged to provide education, counseling, and direct assistance. The accomplishments and outcomes of KOOTASCAs Home Ownership program for 2023 are as follows: 12 workshops held with 72 volunteer educators. A total of 99 households graduated from KOOTASCAs Home Stretch education workshops. 158 households completed one-on-one housing advice to develop a sustainable budget and initiate steps to improve financial capacity. Further, 34 households completed KOOTASCAs Home Ownership program, which led to the purchase of their first homes. Lastly, a total of $59,391 in direct financial assistance was distributed to first-time home buyers, and this assistance resulted in an accumulation of $1,077,279 in mortgage loans.5) KOOTASCAs Crisis Housing services include the Transitional Housing program and Crisis Rent Assistance program. The Transitional Housing program serves homeless clients with time-limited housing, case management services, and assistance with building skills for self-sufficiency. This program consists of two separate duplex locations dedicated to families and one location dedicated to male housing. Transitional Housing program funds are provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Otto Bremer Trust. The Crisis Rent Assistance program provides up to 12 months of assistance for homeless or at-risk families and individuals to obtain or maintain rental housing. Minnesota housing and the Office of Economic Opportunity provide funding for this program to assist Itasca and Koochiching County clients.In fiscal year 2023, the Transitional Housing program served nine (9) single men and six (6) families with children for a total of 19 participants. 73 un-housed households were moved into permanent housing and homelessness was prevented for an additional 152households. The total number of households served was 225. 6) Through the MNsure program, KOOTASCAs trained and certified Health Care Navigators assist clients in navigating health care insurance options. Funding for this program is made available through MNsure, Minnesotas health insurance marketplace. In 2023, KOOTASCAs MNsure program successfully navigated health insurance option for 100 clients and assisted an additional 308 individuals with health care eligibility questions.7) In 2023, KOOTASCA helped seven (7) households attain housing stability through S.O.A.R (SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery program). 8) During 2023, KOOTASCA housing navigators assisted 297 Itasca County households with housing insecurity. Assisted an additional 120 households to secure safe and affordable housing through funding from MN DHS for security deposits, essential needs, and housing applications.9) Through 178873 Community Engagement: KOOTASCA Community Action engages community partners to advocate for and collaborate on community strategies to fulfill our mission to end poverty. The agency's community engagement strategy includes the following programs.1) KOOTASCAs Circles of Support program provides an opportunity for people in poverty to build social assets and skills, such as financial literacy and self-empowerment through weekly meetings for individuals experiencing poverty, as well as non-poor volunteers. In 2023, a total of 92 people participated in 151 meetings and events.2) Big View programming provides education and creates community awareness of poverty-related issues and systemic barriers that make leaving poverty more difficult. In 2023, 249 individuals attended Big View programming across 18 separate events. 6825374 true true false false false false false false false true true false false true true false true false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 126 0 false 103 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 14 12 true false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false NOLAN TOME 2189990800 822 NE 5th AVE GRAND RAPIDS MN 55744 MAUREEN ROSATO Executive Dir. 43.00 0.00 X 116405 0 12337 COREY SMITH FMR CFO 44.00 0.00 X 90934 0 2640 LEANN LANDRUS Director 3.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 OBED MATUS Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 DEB KRUETH Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CHARLENE WALDRON Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 AUSTIN ROHLING Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CORY SMITH Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 VALARIE WINKELMAN Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 RICK BLAKE Chairman 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 RICKY ROCHE Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MOLLY FRENCH VICE CHAIR 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 ROMONA JOHNSON Treasurer 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 PETE KALAR Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 STEVE WINKELMAN Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ROXANNE SKOGSTAD-DITSCH Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 207339 14977 1 false false false ARROWHEAD ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AGENCY 702 3RD AVE S VIRGINIA MN 55792 WX CONTRACT 225563 PROJECT ONE CONSTRUCTION LLC 10375 COUNTY RD 8 KIMBALL MN 55353 HUB CONSTRUCTION 699240 TNT CONSTRUCTION GROUP LLC 40 COUNTY ROAD 63 GRAND RAPIDS MN 55744 HUB CONSTRUCTION 633531 BENEFITS MN DHS MAILROOM 444 LAFAYETTE RD ST PAUL MN 55155 BENEFITS ADMIN 299296 MIDWEST PLAYSCAPES 500 PINE ST SUITE 104 CHASKA MN 55318 PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION 111721 5 8080935 1361704 9442639 PROGRAM, RENTAL, OTHER 624200 319094 319094 319094 14345 14345 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9776078 319094 14345 0 595468 595468 0 0 222316 222316 0 3859289 3182807 676482 162618 127253 35365 624560 479962 144598 313758 244817 68941 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 528633 482373 46260 53851 41763 12088 0 0 0 0 177202 124627 52575 0 CONTRACTUAL 991706 788309 203397 SUPPLIES 404412 332252 72160 IN-KIND EXPENSES 296611 296611 MISCELLANEOUS 192833 129132 63701 0 8423257 6825374 1597883 0 50 50 929534 386971 351062 567882 205249 225231 0 0 0 32575 0 73381 103590 5837473 935262 3428824 4902211 0 0 0 0 522075 435355 5542750 6621290 628861 609789 809159 654481 20364 6225 137578 68761 1595962 1339256 X 3881552 5265626 65236 16408 3946788 5282034 5542750 6621290 X 1352821 -17575 X false true X true true true X 6828043 7210925 8350315 10923088 9442639 42755010 0 0 6828043 7210925 8350315 10923088 9442639 42755010 0 42755010 2968 1985 1464 776 1784 8977 0 95507 176277 319094 590878 43354865 0.98620 0.99330 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 119759 1000 12786 5315 1227 127003 142203 -16019 5180 1245 119759 130412 18104 4958 1355 142203 125364 11339 4936 1355 130412 109623 22548 5080 1727 125364 true false false 127700 127700 3587636 513267 3074369 511548 421995 89553 1610589 1610589 4902211 BENEFICIAL INTEREST (ENDOWMENT FUND) 127003 RESTRICTED CASH 294869 RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS 13483 435355 LEASE LIABILITY 13483 LINE OF CREDIT 55278 68761 9776078 9776078 9776078 8423257 8423257 8423257 false 0 0 MORTGAGE/RENT/SECURITY DEPOSITS 348 505047 CLOSING COSTS/DOWN PAYMENTS 9 58630 CLIENT TRANSPORTATION/VEHICLE REPAI 20 2974 ESSENTIAL NEEDS ASSISTANCE 53 24983 UTILITY DEPOSITS 16 3638 BACKGROUND CHECK/EXPUNGEMENT FEE 7 196 Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 2 STEVE WINKELMAN AND VALARIE WINKELMAN ARE MARRIED. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The IRS Form 990 is presented in draft form to the Board of Directors at a regular meeting of the Board or the Board's Finance Committee. The Board members have the opportunity to review and suggest changes prior to the filing of the final copy of the Form 990 with the IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c Management reviews the conflict of interest policy at every annual Board meeting and each Board member signs a conflict of interest statement at that time. Potential conflicts are reported to the Board of Directors. The Board shall determine whether the activity, relationship, or financial interest constitutes a conflict of interest and may impose limitations upon the affected Board members to ensure that a conflict does not arise. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a Salaries for all staff, including the Executive Director and any key employees, are reviewed by utilizing salary surveys done by the Human Resources department. Sources of information are from other Community Action Agencies, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits salary and benefits survey, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for KOOTASCA's service area. The survey was performed by reviewing compensation for similar positions within similar-sized organizations in the region KOOTASCA is located. Using these surveys, a range of reasonable compensation is determined and the results are presented to the Board for review and approval. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15b Salaries for all staff, including the Executive Director and any key employees, are reviewed by utilizing salary surveys done by the Human Resources department. Sources of information are from other Community Action Agencies, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits salary and benefits survey, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for KOOTASCA's service area. The survey was performed by reviewing compensation for similar positions within similar-sized organizations in the region KOOTASCA is located. Using these surveys, a range of reasonable compensation is determined and the results are presented to the Board for review and approval. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 The governing documents, conflicts of interest policy, and financial statements are made available upon request at our offices located at 822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN. Also, KOOTASCA's information is available on the following websites: Minnesota Attorney General and GuideStar. Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF INVENTORY = -$17575