Community Aid Of Elk River, operating under the name Caer, is located in Elk River, MN. The organization was established in 1987. According to its NTEE Classification (P60) the organization is classified as: Emergency Assistance, under the broad grouping of Human Services and related organizations. As of 12/2022, Caer employed 9 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Caer is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2022, Caer generated $2.4m in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 4 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 13.9% each year . All expenses for the organization totaled $2.3m during the year ending 12/2022. While expenses have increased by 12.7% per year over the past 4 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2022
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
THE MISSION OF CAER IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RELIEVE HUNGER, TOGETHER.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
CAER HAS BEEN SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ELK RIVER, ZIMMERMAN AND OTSEGO SINCE 1979 THROUGH THE COLLECTION OF FOOD AND PERSONAL CARE ITEM DONATIONS. ADDITIONAL ITEMS ARE PURCHASED BY CAER WITH CASH DONATIONS RECEIVED. EACH DONATION DOLLAR PROVIDES THE PURCHASING POWER TO PROVIDE THREE MEALS TO CLIENTS. TO ASSIST OUR CLIENTS IN STRETCHING THEIR FOOD BUDGETS TO INCLUDE FRESH PRODUCE, CAER FORGED ALLIANCES WITH SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND, THE FOOD GROUP FOOD BANKS, AS WELL AS LOCAL GROWERS AND GROCERS TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF FRESH PRODUCE OFFERED. IN TOTAL FOR ALL PROGRAMS IN 2022, CAER PROVIDED 815,313 POUNDS OF FOOD TO THE COMMUNITIES OF ELK RIVER, ZIMMERMAN, OTSEGO AND SURROUNDING AREAS. IN 2010, CAER IMPLEMENTED A SUMMER PROGRAM CALLED "KIDZ KITZ". THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO HELP FAMILIES WITH SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL KID-FRIENDLY FOOD, PRODUCE, MILK AND BAKERY ITEMS AS WEEKLY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PACKAGES DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. IN 2020, WITH THE SUDDEN SHIFT TO DISTANCE LEARNING, THE KIDZ KITZ PROGRAM WAS IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENTED FROM MARCH TO AUGUST. CAER RENAMED THE KIDZ KITZ PROGRAM TO THE KIDS WEEKEND CAER PACKAGE IN APRIL 2021. IT WAS RESTRUCTURED TO PROVIDE WEEKEND FOOD ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES YEAR-ROUND. IN 2022, 2,481 CHILDREN (DUPLICATED/APPROXIMATE 1,239 UNDUPLICATED) RECEIVED A KIDS WEEKEND CAER PACKAGE. ADDITIONAL FOOD OUTREACH PROGRAMS IN 2022 INCLUDED PROVIDING NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS TO OPEN DOORS FOR YOUTH, (A DROP-IN CENTER FOR HOMELESS AND AT- RISK YOUTH), THUMBS UP, ELK RIVER HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE AND SPARK2HOPE TOTALLING OVER 5,100 POUNDS. WE ALSO PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 60 EMERGENCY FOOD BAGS (791 POUNDS)TO SHERBURNE COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. CAER SERVES LOW-INCOME SENIORS IN ZIMMERMAN AND ELK RIVER BY DELIVERING BOTH PERISHABLE AND NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS TO SENIOR HOUSING UNITS. IN 2022, WE PROVIDED 23,277 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 111 SENIORS. THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHURCH OF SAINT ANDREW, IN 2022 WE PROVIDED PRODUCE DISTRIBUTIONS TOTALLING 26,005 POUNDS OF FOOD FOR 491 HOUSEHOLDS.
IN 2022, CAER HELPED OVER 200 HOUSEHOLDS WITH MISCELLANEOUS NEEDS INCLUDING SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND 23 GAS CARDS.
CAER PROVIDES EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP PEOPLE MAINTAIN OR OBTAIN HOUSING, GAS AND ELECTRIC UTILITIES. WE SEEK TO PREVENT EVICTION AND UTILITY SHUT OFF ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENTS. OUR SERVICE AREA IS EXTENDED FOR THIS ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS IN THE CITIES OF ELK RIVER, BIG LAKE, BECKER, OTSEGO AND ZIMMERMAN. IN 2022, 94 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED HOUSING OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE.
CAER INITIATED OUR "CAR CAER" PROGRAM MORE THAN 15 YEARS AGO AS PART OF OUR COMMITMENT TO HELP CLIENTS REMAIN MOBILE SO THEY CAN WORK OR LOOK FOR WORK. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE BY HELPING INDIVIDUALS WITH VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. WE PARTNER WITH A LOCAL BUSINESS THAT PROVIDES FACILITIES AND VOLUNTEER MECHANICS WHO PROVIDE THE EXPERTISE AND LABOR TO FIX OR MAINTAIN A VEHICLE. CAER PAYS FOR THE NECESSARY PARTS OR SUPPLIES. THESE PARTS AND SUPPLIES ARE PURCHASED THROUGH THE SHOP OWNER AT WHOLESALE PRICES. IN 2022, 11 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED HELP THROUGH CAR CAER.
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Heather Kliewer Executive Di | Trustee | 40 | $64,329 |
Dirk Barrett Board Member | Trustee | $0 | |
Jennifer Castle Board Member | Trustee | $0 | |
John Jordan Board Vice C | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
Linda Lien Secretary | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
Norma Madsen Board Member | Trustee | $0 |
Statement of Revenue | |
---|---|
Federated campaigns | $15,424 |
Membership dues | $0 |
Fundraising events | $0 |
Related organizations | $0 |
Government grants | $0 |
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $2,142,756 |
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $1,618,593 |
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $2,158,180 |
Total Program Service Revenue | $0 |
Investment income | $2,197 |
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Net Rental Income | $0 |
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $0 |
Net Income from Fundraising Events | $222,163 |
Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
Total Revenue | $2,382,540 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $1,881,029 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $64,329 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $6,433 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $163,716 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $0 |
Other employee benefits | $5,625 |
Payroll taxes | $17,500 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $0 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $12,388 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Other | $0 |
Advertising and promotion | $4,977 |
Office expenses | $47,131 |
Information technology | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $54,066 |
Travel | $0 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $235 |
Interest | $0 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $26,095 |
Insurance | $12,247 |
All other expenses | $0 |
Total functional expenses | $2,306,068 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $471,996 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $622,053 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $11,986 |
Accounts receivable, net | $0 |
Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $8,948 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $318,655 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $0 |
Investments—other securities | $0 |
Investments—program-related | $0 |
Intangible assets | $0 |
Other assets | $0 |
Total assets | $1,433,638 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $17,811 |
Grants payable | $0 |
Deferred revenue | $0 |
Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Other liabilities | $0 |
Total liabilities | $17,811 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $1,403,841 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $11,986 |
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $1,433,638 |