Attorney General Ellison discloses ongoing investigation into Feeding Our Future, seeks court control over nonprofit
Seeks court supervision over Feeding Our Future and its assets pending dissolution and AGO and federal criminal investigations
March 3, 2022 (SAINT PAUL) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today confirmed his Office’s ongoing investigation of Feeding Our Future and filed a petition in Dakota County District Court asking the court to supervise the announced dissolution of the nonprofit corporation.
The Attorney General’s Office is the chief regulator of charities in Minnesota. Feeding Our Future is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Charities Division of the Attorney General’s Office into potential violations of Minnesota’s nonprofit and charities laws. As the petition filed today states, on February 8, 2022, Attorney General Ellison’s office sent a civil investigative demand to Feeding Our Future in which the Office alleged that it “has reasonable grounds to believe that Feeding Our Future and its officers and directors have, among other things, failed to properly administer and use assets held for charitable purposes; breached fiduciary duties; failed to comply with statutory requirements for nonprofit corporations; made false and/or deceptive representations in connection with the solicitation of donations; and engaged in charitable solicitation without registration.” (¶ 42, p. 8 of the petition)
While federal authorities look into the alleged misuse of federal grant funds, the Attorney General’s role under Minnesota law is to focus on the governance and oversight of charitable assets held by Feeding Our Future. The Attorney General’s investigation is in process. It has not yet made any formal determination of wrongdoing.
“Federal criminal law-enforcement authorities are the right people to make sure federal grants are used properly and to prosecute the criminal misuse of federal taxpayer funds. It’s my job as Attorney General to supervise charities and their leaders to ensure they are complying with civil charities laws and upholding Minnesotans’ trust. Court oversight of Feeding Our Future’s dissolution will allow greater transparency into the organization’s finances and prevent any future fraud or misuse of assets while the investigations continue,” Attorney General Ellison said.
The chief purpose of supervised voluntary dissolution of a nonprofit by the court is for the protection “against fraud in the disposition of the assets of the dissolving corporation.” (¶ 47, p. 9) As the petition states, “The AGO seeks court supervision to protect against potential fraud and waste, ensure proper oversight over the corporation pending dissolution, reduce potential harm to the corporation’s interests that could result from having an officer who is the subject to a criminal investigation directing its affairs, provide for the orderly disposition of assets, and minimize prejudice to the Attorney General’s ongoing investigation.” (¶ 48, p. 9)
If granted by the court, the Attorney General’s petition will add an additional layer of accountability and visibility over the intended dissolution of Feeding Our Future and the disposition of its assets. It will also allow the court to take steps to protect the nonprofit’s assets, such as appointing a receiver and ordering special accountings and reports.
If you have information about Feeding Our Future relevant to the Attorney General’s investigation, please file a complaint with the Charities Division, or contact the Attorney General’s Office as follows:
Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 600
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-3353 (Twin Cities Calling Area)
(800) 657-3787 (Outside the Twin Cities)
(800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay)
