Nonprofit · EIN 41-1871141
INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
Tax-exempt · SAUK RAPIDS, MN 56379
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $7,704,965 | $7,075,625 | $629,340 | $9,882,614 | $956,712 | $8,925,902 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $7,212,628 | $6,099,270 | $1,113,358 | $9,277,285 | $721,389 | $8,555,896 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $6,032,218 | $5,607,114 | $425,104 | $7,511,471 | $657,275 | $6,854,196 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,126,626
- of which government grants
- $926,843
- Program service revenue
- $6,112,299
- Investment income
- $450,283
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $349,398
- Net income from fundraising events
- $735
- Other revenue
- $15,757
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $201,196
- Other salaries and wages
- $4,907,029
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $6,054,078
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $193
- Accounting fees
- $28,003
- Occupancy
- $55,803
- Travel
- $48,560
- Depreciation
- $183,230
- Program services (functional)
- $6,611,962
- Management and general (functional)
- $463,663
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $9,277,285
- Total assets, end of year
- $9,882,614
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $956,712
- Net assets, end of year
- $8,925,902
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $3,992,304
- Publicly traded securities
- $4,515,840
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $8,910,583
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $15,319
- Gross receipts
- $14,908,896
- Employees
- 185
- Volunteers
- 10
- Year formed
- 1997
- 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 September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARA RUFF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 40 | $201,181 | $26,215 |
| KEN SCHULTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEANNE SLINGLUFF | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CATHERINE ANDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD HANSEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEITH GORDON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL RADEKE | BOARD CHAIR Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD CARLSON | VICE CHAIR Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARA RUFF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 40 | $210,137 | $24,340 |
| KEN SCHULTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEANNE SLINGLUFF | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CATHERINE ANDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD HANSEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEITH GORDON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL RADEKE | BOARD CHAIR Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD CARLSON | VICE CHAIR Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARA RUFF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 40 | $183,590 | $14,956 |
| KEN SCHULTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEANNE SLINGLUFF | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CATHERINE ANDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD HANSEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEITH GORDON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD CARLSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL RADEKE | BOARD CHAIR Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 215 N BENTON DR, SAUK RAPIDS, MN 56379-1530
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- CARA RUFF, 215 NORTH BENTON DRIVE, SAUK RAPIDS, MN 56379
- Signed the 990
- CARA RUFF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (320) 529-9000
- Return prepared by
- MILLER WELLE HEISER & CO LTD
Mission
A TEAM PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE AND CHOICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
Program accomplishments
- THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN LEARNING NEW & HEALTHY INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS. AREAS OF SKILLS TRAINING INCLUDE: SELF-ESTEEM, COMMUNICATION, RELATIONSHIPS, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, COOKING/NUTRITION, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND BENEFITS MANAGEMENT. THE SKILLS TRAINING IS PROVIDED AT THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL AND ALSO IN A GROUP SETTING. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE SERVICES TO PERSONS WHEN THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION HAS DETERMINED THEY ARE UNABLE TO MANAGE THEIR FINANCES. THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS PERSONS TO MEET PRIMARY NEEDS AND LEARN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS SO THEY CAN LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS THE SAME SKILLS TRAINING FOR YOUTH AGES 14-22 AS IT DOES FOR ADULTS IN THE INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM.Expenses $2,250,620 · revenue $2,606,165
- PCA (PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT) CHOICE - THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO GIVE THE CONSUMER THE GREATEST CONTROL OVER THEIR PCA CARE. THE ORGANIZATION ACTS AS A FISCAL INTERMEDIARY FOR THE CONSUMER AND THEIR PCA'S BUT HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE CARE OF THE CONSUMER. AS THE FISCAL INTERMEDIARY, THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BILLING DHS FOR SERVICES, PCA PAYROLL, PAYING AND WITHHOLDING TAXES, INSURANCES, DOING BACKGROUND CHECKS, MAINTAINING AGREEMENTS AND STATEMENT OF NEED.Expenses $2,579,772 · revenue $1,465,235
- THE ORGANIZATION HAS PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AS PEER MENTORS TO OFFER SUPPORT, SOCIALIZATION AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION TO CLIENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH DISABILITY ISSUES. A PEER NETWORK IS ALSO OFFERED BY THE ORGANIZATION AS PART OF THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM. PERSONS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MEETING OTHER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN INPUT THEIR INFORMATION INTO THE PEER NETWORK DATABASE AND LOCATE OTHERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR NEW FRIENDSHIPS. A COMPUTER IS AVAILABLE FOR USE AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICE. INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES, INC., A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING ALSO OFFERS SOCIAL ACTIVITY GROUPS WHICH MEET AT LEAST FOUR TIMES A MONTH.Expenses $29,412 · revenue $103,830
- THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES WITH INFORMATION ON DISABILITY RELATED TOPICS AND REFERRALS TO OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES. THE ORGANIZATION IS ALSO ACTIVE IN WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY, COUNTY, AS WELL AS STATE AND FEDERAL ENTITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR RIGHTS AND SERVICES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. SERVICED 2,491 CLIENTS IN TOTAL.Expenses $1,752,158 · revenue $1,937,069
- THE ORGANIZATION CAN ASSIST CONSUMERS IN MAKING THEIR HOMES AND VEHICLES MORE ACCESSIBLE. STAFF WILL PROVIDE HOME ASSESSMENTS, DESIGN RAMPS AND ASSIST CONSUMERS IN FINDING FUNDING FOR THESE PROJECTS. STAFF ALSO PROVIDES SURVEYS TO COMMUNITY ENTITIES TO ASSIST THEM IN COMPLYING WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
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 September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 41-1871141
- 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
- 1997
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Human services (P82)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $9,882,614
- Income (IRS master file)
- $14,908,896
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $7,704,965 | $7,075,625 | $9,882,614 | XML |
| 990-T | September 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2024 | $7,212,628 | $6,099,270 | $9,277,285 | XML |
| 990-T | September 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2023 | $6,032,218 | $5,607,114 | $7,511,471 | XML |
| 990-T | September 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2022 | $4,794,413 | $4,660,693 | $6,697,942 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 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 41-1871141).
Questions about INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
- What is the EIN of INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING is 41-1871141.
- Is INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1997.
- Are donations to INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING 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 INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names CARA RUFF.
- Who are the officers and directors of INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 8 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $201,181 (CARA RUFF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES INC - A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $7,704,965, expenses of $7,075,625 and total assets of $9,882,614 at year end.
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