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Nonprofit · EIN 71-0956749

WAY TO GROW

Tax-exempt · MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55405

Financials

$10.5M$3.9M2023$5.7M$4.3M2024$3.8M$4.7M2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of WAY TO GROW by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2025990$3,761,099$4,658,851-$897,752$13,442,286$681,350$12,760,936
December 31, 2024990$5,668,249$4,348,944$1,319,305$14,065,484$939,248$13,126,236
December 31, 2023990$10,509,476$3,929,858$6,579,618$12,742,480$966,996$11,775,484
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$2,782,615
of which government grants
$833,257
Program service revenue
$330,091
Investment income
$188,908
Net income from fundraising events
$459,485
Other revenue
$459,485

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$1,954,686
Other salaries and wages
$976,245
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$3,470,489
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$976
Accounting fees
$12,827
Occupancy
$323,817
Travel
$67,044
Depreciation
$63,166
Program services (functional)
$3,244,246
Management and general (functional)
$579,861
Fundraising (functional)
$834,744

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$14,065,484
Total assets, end of year
$13,442,286
Total liabilities, end of year
$681,350
Net assets, end of year
$12,760,936
Land, buildings and equipment
$107,465
Publicly traded securities
$5,094,513
Net assets without donor restrictions
$10,430,186
Net assets with donor restrictions
$2,330,750
Gross receipts
$3,966,151
Employees
58
Volunteers
75
Year formed
2003
State of legal domicile
MN

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
JUAN DUCEO
Officer
50$204,327$3,416
MARK HENDERSONDIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Officer
40$100,056$4,090
MICHAEL GARRETTCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
0.5$0$0
JULIA HALBERGVICE CHAIR & SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
0.5$0$0
DARRELL ELLSWORTHTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
0.5$0$0
SOPHIE KELLEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JULIE BAKERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JIM BOYLEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
BOB BARNETTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JANIS CLAYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
KAREN CONTAGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
SUSAN CORRIDONIDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
BRIAN CROSBYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
MEL DICKSTEINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
HEIDI DOHERTYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
22 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
KYLE GREENDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
LAURIE LAFONTAINEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
VANESSA LAIRDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
VICKIE MATTYSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
SARAH MITCHELLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
CHRIS MONGEONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
LUIS MORENODIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
DAVE NASSIFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
ANUSHA NATHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
KEVIN NILANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
JEANNE RAVICHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
ART ROLNICKDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
NASIBU SAREVADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
RANDY SAUTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
FRANK SCHWEIGERTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
ANGELA SLAUGHTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
JAIME STILSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
LISA WALKERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
YOHURU WILLIAMSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
ANN YATESDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
SCOTT GREGORYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
MIKE HAPPEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 35 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
CAROLYN SMALLWOODCEO
Officer
50$265,200$24,082
MARK HENDERSONDIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Officer
40$96,797$4,321
ANGELA SLAUGHTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
ANN YATESDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
ANUSHA NATHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
ART ROLNICKDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
BOB BARNETTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
BRIAN CROSBYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
CHRIS MONGEONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
DARRELL ELLSWORTHTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
DAVE NASSIFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
FRANK SCHWEIGERTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
GAYE ADAMS MASSEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Officer
0.5$0$0
HEIDI DOHERTYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JAIME STILSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JANIS CLAYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEANNE RAVICHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JIM BOYLEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JULIA HALBERGVICE CHAIR AND SECRETARY
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JULIE BAKERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
KAREN CONTAGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KEVIN NILANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KYLE GREENDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
LAURIE LAFONTAINEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
LISA WALKERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
LUIS MORENODIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
MEL DICKSTEINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
MICHAEL GARRETTCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
NASIBU SAREVADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
RANDY SAUTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
SARAH MITCHELLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
SUSAN CORRIDONIDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
VANESSA LAIRDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
VICKIE MATTYSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
YOHURU WILLIAMSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 33 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
CAROLYN SMALLWOODCEO
Officer
50$243,755$15,761
MARK HENDERSONBUSINESS MANAGER
Officer
40$88,959$826
GAYE ADAMS MASSEYPAST CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
0.5$0$0
DAVE NASSIFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
LAURIE LAFONTAINEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
ART ROLNICKDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
BOB BARNETTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
CHRIS MONGEONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
FRANK SCHWEIGERTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JAIME STILSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JEANNE RAVICHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JIM BOYLEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JULIA HALBERGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JULIE BAKERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
KEVIN NILANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LAURA BOHLANDERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
MICHAEL GARRETTVICE CHAIR & SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
NASIBU SAREVADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
RANDY SAUTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
SOPHIE KELLEYCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
VANESSA LAIRDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
BRIAN CROSBYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
JANIS CLAYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KAREN CONTAGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KYLE GREENDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
VICKIE MATTYSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
YOHURU WILLIAMSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
ANGELA SLAUGHTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
ANN YATESDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
DARRELL ELLSWORTHTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
LUIS MORENODIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
SUSAN CORRIDONIDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0
SARAH MITCHELLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
0.5$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
201 IRVING AVE N STE 100, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55405-1811
In care of
% KATY BURNS
Principal officer (990 for 2025)
COCO DU, 201 IRVING AVENUE 100, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55405
Signed the 990
COCO DU, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Phone
(612) 874-4740
Return prepared by
CARPENTER EVERT & ASSOCIATES LTD

Mission

WORKING CLOSELY WITH PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES, WE ENSURE THAT CHILDREN WITHIN THE MOST ISOLATED FAMILIES ARE BORN HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY AND ARE PREPARED FOR SCHOOL.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • HISTORY: WAY TO GROW HAS BEEN A LEADING MODEL FOR EARLY LEARNING, HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMING IN THE TWIN CITIES SINCE 1989. WE BELIEVE THAT PARENTS ARE THEIR CHILDREN'S PRIMARY EDUCATORS, AND STRUCTURE OUR PROGRAMS TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE PARENTS IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION. WAY TO GROW'S SECOND-GENERATION APPROACH HAS REACHED APPROXIMATELY 60,000 PEOPLE OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 36 YEARS. SINCE OUR FOUNDING IN 1989, WE HAVE SOUGHT TO REVERSE NEGATIVE EDUCATIONAL TRENDS BY BUILDING TRUSTED, COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORT FOR THE PARENTS AND CHILDREN WHO ARE AMONG THE MOST ISOLATED FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. IN 2005, WE FORMALIZED OUR HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM, AND IN 2006, LAUNCHED A FORMAL TEEN PARENT PROGRAM. IN 2007, WE OPENED OUR NATIONALLY ACCREDITED, 4-STAR PARENT AWARE RATED PRESCHOOL PALS PROGRAM, AND IN 2009, LAUNCHED GREAT BY EIGHT, WHICH IS NOW THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR WORK. GREAT BY EIGHT EXPANDED OUR EFFECTIVE AND STATISTICALLY PROVEN HOME VISITING MODEL TO INCLUDE CHILDREN FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PUBLIC, CHARTER AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT MINNEAPOLIS AND BEYOND. IN 2016, WE LAUNCHED AN ONSITE HUB FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD, ELEMENTARY, AND PARENT ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING AT THE LUCY C. LANEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. IN 2018, WE EXPANDED OUR HOME VISITING PROGRAM TO BROOKLYN PARK AND BROOKLYN CENTER AND HAVE SERVED HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OSSEO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.IN 2020 DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE PIVOTED OUR SERVICES TO INCLUDE VIRTUAL HOME VISITING AND EXPANDED OUR REACH TO SERVING FAMILIES FROM 11 DIFFERENT COUNTIES. WAY TO GROW WAS THE FIRST HOME VISITING MODEL TO OFFER TUTORING SERVICES FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE STUDENTS, WITH THE GOAL TO HELP ALL CHILDREN REACH GRADE LEVEL LITERACY BY THE END OF THE THIRD GRADE. IN 2023, WAY TO GROW RECEIVED A ONE-TIME GRANT IN RECOGNITION OF HIGH-QUALITY, EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING MODEL.OUR FOUNDERS CREATED WAY TO GROW WITH THE VISION THAT EVERY CHILD HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE. OUR INNOVATIVE GREAT BY EIGHT HOME VISITING MODEL PAIRS FAMILIES WITH HIGHLY TRAINED FAMILY EDUCATORS TO PROVIDE IN-DEPTH, EVIDENCE-BASED, IN-HOME EDUCATION AND SUPPORT. FAMILY EDUCATORS HELP PARENTS TO PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND SUPPORT FAMILIES BY PROVIDING WRAP-AROUND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THROUGH YEAR-ROUND HOME VISITS AND IN-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SUPPORTING SCHOOL READINESS, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, CENTER-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES, PARENT ENGAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY, AND WRAPAROUND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING HEALTH AND WELLNESS EDUCATION, AND SUPPORTS FOR YOUTH PARENTS COUPLED WITH FAMILY STABILIZATION SERVICES. 2025 IMPACT: SINCE THE PANDEMIC, LEARNING RECOVERY HAS STALLED IN THE UNITED STATES. THE TIME IS NOW TO ALLOCATE RESOURCES AND IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES THAT INCLUDE HIGH INTENSITY, HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING WITH HIGH-QUALITY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO ACCELERATE LEARNING RECOVERY FOR OUR CHILDREN.IN 2025, WAY TO GROW PROVIDED 11,574 IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL HOME VISITS TO 2,320 CLIENTS (1,368 CHILDREN AND 952 PARENTS) AND HELPED TO STABILIZE 830 FAMILIES THROUGH 1,212 REFERRALS TO SERVICES TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO EARLY EDUCATION, MEDICAL NEEDS, AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT SUCH AS HOUSING AND FOOD. OUR FAMILIES ARE DEMONSTRATING STRONG RESILIENCE DURING A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY.DURING THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, 72% OF EARLY LEARNERS WERE DEEMED READY FOR KINDERGARTEN; 83% OF K-3 STUDENTS COMBINED DEMONSTRATED GROWTH IN READING LEVEL ASSESSMENTS, AND 88% OF PARENTS ATTENDED AT LEAST ONE OF THEIR CHILDREN'S PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES. LEARNING DISRUPTIONS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE AFFECTED CHILDREN'S LITERACY GAINS, WITH WAY TO GROW CREATING NEW INTERVENTIONS AND CURRICULUM UPDATES TO TARGET LITERACY FOUNDATIONS MOST IMPACTED. DURING THIS TIME, WE CONTINUED TO WORK WITH PARENTS TO ENSURE HEALTHY BIRTHS, WITH 100% OF NEWBORNS BORN AT OR ABOVE A HEALTHY BIRTH WEIGHT WHEN ENROLLED PRIOR TO 28 WEEKS GESTATION. WAY TO GROW FAMILIES ARE EXPERIENCING MULTI-GENERATIONAL IMPACT.
    Expenses $3,244,246 · revenue $330,091

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026990 on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
71-0956749
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2004
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Human services (P30)
Assets (IRS master file)
$13,442,286
Income (IRS master file)
$3,966,151

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2025$3,761,099$4,658,851$13,442,286IRS
990December 2024$5,668,249$4,348,944$14,065,484IRS
990December 2023$10,509,476$3,929,858$12,742,480XML
990December 2022$4,357,167$3,304,221$6,164,067IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990December 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 71-0956749).

Questions about WAY TO GROW

What is the EIN of WAY TO GROW?
The employer identification number (EIN) of WAY TO GROW is 71-0956749.
Is WAY TO GROW tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2004.
Are donations to WAY TO GROW tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does WAY TO GROW file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of WAY TO GROW due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did WAY TO GROW last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
Who is the principal officer of WAY TO GROW?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names COCO DU.
Who are the officers and directors of WAY TO GROW?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 37 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $204,327 (JUAN DU, CEO).
How much revenue does WAY TO GROW have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $3,761,099, expenses of $4,658,851 and total assets of $13,442,286 at year end.

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