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← AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE.

Totals

Total revenue
$6,450,690
Total expenses
$6,467,339
Contributions and grants received
$5,797,393
Grants paid
$4,700
Program service revenue
$388,059
Investment income
$262,032
Other revenue
$3,206
Total assets, end of year
$8,815,408
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,414,614
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$6,400,794
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$3,936,741
Management and general expenses
$2,530,598
Fundraising expenses
$0
Program service expenses (Part III)
$3,936,741

Program services were 60.9% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $5,321,093

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $476,300

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Contracts

    total $213,623 · related or exempt $213,623

  • 2b · Program service revenue: Fees for Service

    total $142,138 · related or exempt $142,138

  • 2c · Program service revenue: Project Fees

    total $14,871 · related or exempt $14,871

  • 2d · Program service revenue: Sponsorships

    total $11,500 · related or exempt $11,500

  • 2e · Program service revenue: Other Program Revenue

    total $4,719 · related or exempt $4,719

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $1,208 · related or exempt $1,208

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $268,041 · excluded $268,041

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $3,206 · excluded $3,206

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    other assets $6,009

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    other assets -$6,009

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$6,009 · excluded -$6,009

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $4,700 · program services $4,700

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $275,967 · program services $167,079 · management and general $108,888

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $3,028,116 · program services $1,826,930 · management and general $1,201,186

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $178,034 · program services $108,346 · management and general $69,688

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $694,417 · program services $440,536 · management and general $253,881

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $232,138 · program services $143,177 · management and general $88,961

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $36,987 · management and general $36,987

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $30,875 · management and general $30,875

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $36,000 · program services $36,000

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $269,629 · program services $10,015 · management and general $259,614

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $34,032 · program services $11,185 · management and general $22,847

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $48,941 · program services $18,316 · management and general $30,625

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $124,027 · program services $20,477 · management and general $103,550

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $331,822 · program services $215,684 · management and general $116,138

  • 17 · Travel

    total $117,829 · program services $58,258 · management and general $59,571

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $14,974 · program services $4,992 · management and general $9,982

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $229,755 · program services $206,780 · management and general $22,975

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $75,041 · management and general $75,041

  • 24a · Other expenses: Project Cost

    total $534,773 · program services $534,773

  • 24b · Other expenses: Lab supplies

    total $53,887 · program services $53,887

  • 24c · Other expenses: Equipment and Maintenan

    total $48,921 · program services $26,513 · management and general $22,408

  • 24d · Other expenses: Newsletters

    total $29,023 · program services $29,023

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $37,451 · program services $20,070 · management and general $17,381

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $400 · end of year $53,833

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $1,260,944 · end of year $5,965,394

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $247,662 · end of year $93,461

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $259,706 · end of year $292,820

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $54,939 · end of year $49,952

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $4,036,798

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $2,680,116

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,372,425 · end of year $1,356,682

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $4,609,507 · end of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $1,077,128 · end of year $1,003,266

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $670,919 · end of year $733,254

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $873,682 · end of year $665,775

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,000,708 · end of year $1,015,585

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $6,337,402 · end of year $6,400,794

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

Accelerate the expansion of the agricultural economy by empowering expanded uses and markets of agriculturally derived products.

Activities or mission (Part I)

AURI is an economic catalyst for the agricultural industry, taking innovative ideas from concept to reality to build a stronger agricultural economy.

  • Commercialization Services Program:The Commercialization Services Program provides technical assistance and research and development support to businesses utilizing Minnesota agricultural products to develop and commercialize value-added products and technologies. Services include staff expertise, laboratory and pilot plant resources, and cost-shared research funding when specialized capabilities beyond AURI's internal resources are needed. The program also provides support to entrepreneurs through assistance in pursuing grant funding and access to AURI laboratory facilities. These services help businesses advance innovative ideas, improve product development, and bring new agricultural products and technologies to the marketplace.

    Expenses $1,298,458 · Grants $4,700 · Revenue $171,369

  • Research Projects:The Research Projects program supports a limited number of internal research and development initiatives designed to develop technical knowledge, processes, and intellectual property that benefit Minnesota's agricultural industry. Through these projects, AURI staff explore early-stage concepts and innovations that may increase utilization of Minnesota agricultural commodities or improve industry practices. When technologies developed through these efforts demonstrate commercial potential, AURI may transfer or license the technology to third-party entities for commercialization, which can generate additional industry opportunities and support AURI's long-term financial sustainability.

    Expenses $38,651

  • Initiatives Program:The Initiatives Program supports collaborative partnerships, applied research, and technology transfer efforts that add value to Minnesota agricultural products or improve efficiencies in agricultural processing. Initiatives may originate internally or be identified by stakeholders, industry partners, or researchers and often address broader industry challenges or opportunities. The results of these initiatives are publicly disseminated through research publications, outreach, and industry engagement activities. These efforts connect businesses, commodity groups, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to advance innovation and strengthen Minnesota's value-added agricultural economy.

    Expenses $2,599,632 · Revenue $216,690

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Federico Tripodi

    Chair

    Total calculated
    $2,000
    From this org
    $2,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • John Schafer

    Vice Chair (Resigned Jan. 2025)

    Total calculated
    $1,220
    From this org
    $1,220
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Carolyn Olson

    Secretary/Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $1,160
    From this org
    $1,160
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Kent Heins

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Jon Veldhouse

    Vice Chair (as of Jan. 2025)

    Total calculated
    $1,060
    From this org
    $1,060
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Joe Serbus

    Director

    Total calculated
    $480
    From this org
    $480
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Ted Winter

    Director

    Total calculated
    $275
    From this org
    $275
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Mikayla Tabert

    Director

    Total calculated
    $580
    From this org
    $580
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Jeff Grev

    Director

    Total calculated
    $330
    From this org
    $330
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Lauren McNamara

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Senator Aric Putnam

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Representative Samantha Vang

    Director (Resigned Jan. 2025)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Representative Rick Hansen

    Director (as of Jan. 2025)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Shannon Schlecht

    Executive Director

    Total calculated
    $249,172
    From this org
    $209,463
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,709
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $209,463
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,922
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,787
    Filer's total
    $249,172

  • Luca Zullo

    Sr. Director of Science & Technology

    Total calculated
    $169,249
    From this org
    $150,166
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,083
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $150,166
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,524
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,559
    Filer's total
    $169,249

  • Jennifer Wagner-Lahr

    Sr. Director of Business Development & Commerciali

    Total calculated
    $161,090
    From this org
    $126,884
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,206
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $126,884
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,419
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,787
    Filer's total
    $161,090

  • Adam Stratton

    Sr. Director of Operations & Finance

    Total calculated
    $159,130
    From this org
    $124,944
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,186
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $124,944
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,399
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,787
    Filer's total
    $159,130

  • Jason Robinson

    Business Development Director, Food

    Total calculated
    $127,852
    From this org
    $113,040
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,812
    Hours/week
    40

  • Michael Sparby

    Commercialization Director

    Total calculated
    $140,568
    From this org
    $107,590
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,978
    Hours/week
    40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
11 May 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202601339349308565

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