Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a settlement requiring a nonprofit to dissolve after an investigation found hundreds of employees were misclassified as volunteers at concession stands in Twin Cities stadiums.
Ellison called MN Fundraising Initiative a “sham charity.”
He said it took advantage of parents who wanted to pay for their children's activities by working at venues such as Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium in exchange for grants. Other venues included Grand Casino Arena, Allianz Field and numerous University of Minnesota locations.
His office said the nonprofit wasn’t operated for any charitable cause and instead operated as a staffing agency that saved on labor costs by misclassifying hundreds of employees.
The the settlement alleges MNFI earned more than $3.4 million in annual revenue during 2024, according to its most recently reported IRS Form.
“Charities can’t do an end-run around employment law by abusing their nonprofit status to save on labor costs. Workers who are misclassified do not receive some of the most basic protections under the law, and that loss of protections hurts us all,” Ellison said.
MNFI neither admits nor denies the allegations in the settlement. The nonprofit is based in Blaine and was founded in 2019 by Martin and Patricia Cross. Martin served as the CEO until his termination on March 20, while Patricia served as the treasurer until her resignation on Feb. 7.
“When awarding grants, MNFI did ‘not evaluate the financial need of...
False. The quotes attributed to the politicians have been fabricated by a foreign-run disinformation operation. AAP FactCheck - Pauline Hanson and Anthony Albanese did not trade barbs during a liv...