Liabilities / Assets
80th percentile
Higher debt load relative to assets than 80% of similar nonprofits.
The Better Way Inc
EIN 81-2510365 • 501(c)3 • Wells, MN
Profile
To offer help, healing, and hope to women in crisis.
Siviq Scores
Precomputed percentiles relative to similar nonprofits. These scores are descriptive rather than judgmental.
0.13x
Liabilities / Revenue
90th percentile
Higher debt load relative to revenue than 90% of similar nonprofits.
Net Margin
34th percentile
Higher net margin than 34% of similar nonprofits.
Top Officer Pay
84th percentile
Higher top officer pay than 84% of similar nonprofits.
Top officer pay equals 0.0% of source-year revenue.
Asset Growth
48th percentile
Faster asset growth than 48% of similar nonprofits.
Revenue Growth
19th percentile
Faster revenue growth than 19% of similar nonprofits.
Balance Sheet
Assets
Down$125,392
Down $3,222 (-2.5%) from 2023
Liabilities
Down$16,900
Down $42 (-0.2%) from 2023
Net Assets
Down$108,492
Down $3,180 (-2.8%) from 2023
Revenue
Down$47,228
Down $36,178 (-43%) from 2023
Expenses
Down$50,408
Down $33,678 (-40%) from 2023
Net Income
Down-$3,180
Down $2,500 (-368%) from 2023
Trend Graphs
Filings
Most recent year
2024 • Form 990EZDetailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.
- Assets
- $125,392
- Liabilities
- $16,900
- Net assets
- $108,492
- Revenue
- $47,228
- Expenses
- $50,408
- Net income
- -$3,180
Latest Filing Detail
Jump To
Filing Snapshot
- Filing Period
- Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024
- Signed
- Jul 24, 2025
- Return Version
- 2024v5.0
- Gross Receipts
- $47,228
Mission and Program Overview
Mission
We offer help, healing & hope for women in crisis.
To offer help, healing, and hope to women in crisis.
Program Services
| Description | Grants | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| TO SERVE WOMEN IN CRISIS BY PROVIDING CONFIDENTIAL COMFORT AND CRITICAL CARE, SPIRITUAL COACHING, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, RESOURCES, AND REFERRALS. TO ALSO PROVIDE TEMPORARY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR WOMEN IN EXTREME OR DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. | $4,342 | $44,117 |
Compensation and Service Providers
Employees
| Name | Title | Full / Part Time | Base | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRACY MUHLENBECK | President | FT | $0 | - | - |
| JAMES MUHLENBECK | Vice Preside | - | $0 | - | - |
| DAWN BUSCHOW | Secretary | - | $0 | - | - |
| KATHRYN JOHNSON | Treasurer | - | $0 | - | - |
| KIM JACOBSON | Board Member | - | $0 | - | - |
Filing and Contact Details
Filer
- Filer Name
- The Better Way Inc
- EIN
- 81-2510365
- Phone
- 5073803365
- Address
- 132 SOUTH BROADWAY PO BOX 203, WELLS, MN 56097
Signing Officer
- Name
- Tracy Muhlenbeck
- Title
- President
- Phone
- 5073803365
- Signed
- 2025-07-24
- Discuss with paid preparer
- Yes
Preparer
- Firm
- Honstad Dieser & Mangskau Pllp
- Address
- 135 S BROADWAY AVE, ALBERT LEA, MN 56007-2545
- Preparer
- Kelly a Montanye
- Phone
- 5073732451
Supplemental Narrative
Additional Explanations
Form 990-ez, Part I, Line 16
“Expenses advertising 465 office supplies 3,748 administrative 715 background checks 36 96 876 insurance 1,569 outreach/program expenses 14,109 maintenance & repairs 8,497 supplies 44 non-investment depreciation 2,998 total 33,153”
Form 990-ez, Part II, Line 24
“Buildings & equipment 120,092 120,092 less accumulated depreciation 17,924 20,922 non-cash items on hand 0 450 total 102,168 99,620”
Form 990-ez, Part II, Line 26
“Unsecured notes and loans payable 16,900 16,900 payroll liabilities 42 0”
Form 990-ez, Part III, Line 28
“To serve women in crisis by providing confidential comfort and critical care, spiritual coaching, life skills training, resources, and referrals. To also provide temporary transitional housing for women in extreme or dangerous situations.”
Raw XML Appendix157 raw XML fields
This appendix keeps the raw XML leaves available for debugging and edge-case review. The human report above is the primary experience.
| Path | # | Value |
|---|---|---|
| IRS990EZ/ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/PersonNm | 0 | TRACY MUHLENBECK |
| IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/PhoneNum | 0 | 5073803365 |
| IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/AddressLine1Txt | 0 | 132 SOUTH BROADWAY |
| IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/AddressLine2Txt | 0 | PO BOX 203 |
| IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/CityNm | 0 | WELLS |
| IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCd | 0 | MN |
| IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/ZIPCd | 0 | 56097 |
| IRS990EZ/CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp/BOYAmt | 0 | 15446 |
| IRS990EZ/CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp/EOYAmt | 0 | 14772 |
| IRS990EZ/ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt | 0 | 47228 |
| IRS990EZ/DonorAdvisedFndsInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt | 0 | -3180 |
| IRS990EZ/FeesAndOtherPymtToIndCntrctAmt | 0 | 3230 |
| IRS990EZ/FiledScheduleAInd | 0 | true |
| IRS990EZ/ForeignFinancialAccountInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/ForeignOfficeInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/Form1120PolFiledInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/Form990TotalAssetsGrp/BOYAmt | 0 | 128614 |
| IRS990EZ/Form990TotalAssetsGrp/EOYAmt | 0 | 125392 |
| IRS990EZ/GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaidAmt | 0 | 4342 |
| IRS990EZ/GrossReceiptsAmt | 0 | 47228 |
| IRS990EZ/InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd | 0 | X |
| IRS990EZ/InfoInScheduleOPartIIInd | 0 | X |
| IRS990EZ/InfoInScheduleOPartIInd | 0 | X |
| IRS990EZ/LandAndBuildingsGrp/BOYAmt | 0 | 11000 |
| IRS990EZ/LandAndBuildingsGrp/EOYAmt | 0 | 11000 |
| IRS990EZ/LobbyingActivitiesInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/MethodOfAccountingCashInd | 0 | X |
| IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt | 0 | 111672 |
| IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt | 0 | 108492 |
| IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp/BOYAmt | 0 | 111672 |
| IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp/EOYAmt | 0 | 108492 |
| IRS990EZ/OccupancyRentUtltsAndMaintAmt | 0 | 5125 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt | 0 | 40.00 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt | 1 | 2.00 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt | 2 | 2.00 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt | 3 | 2.00 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt | 4 | 2.00 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt | 0 | 0 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt | 1 | 0 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt | 2 | 0 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt | 3 | 0 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt | 4 | 0 |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm | 0 | TRACY MUHLENBECK |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm | 1 | JAMES MUHLENBECK |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm | 2 | DAWN BUSCHOW |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm | 3 | KATHRYN JOHNSON |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm | 4 | KIM JACOBSON |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt | 0 | PRESIDENT |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt | 1 | VICE PRESIDE |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt | 2 | SECRETARY |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt | 3 | TREASURER |
| IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt | 4 | BOARD MEMBER |
| IRS990EZ/OperateHospitalInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/Organization501c3Ind | 0 | X |
| IRS990EZ/OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/OrganizationHadUBIInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/OtherAssetsTotalDetail/BOYAmt | 0 | 102168 |
| IRS990EZ/OtherAssetsTotalDetail/EOYAmt | 0 | 99620 |
| IRS990EZ/OtherExpensesTotalAmt | 0 | 33153 |
| IRS990EZ/PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt | 0 | NONE |
| IRS990EZ/PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt | 0 | NONE |
| IRS990EZ/PoliticalCampaignActyInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt | 0 | TO OFFER HELP, HEALING, AND HOPE TO WOMEN IN CRISIS. |
| IRS990EZ/ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp/DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt | 0 | TO SERVE WOMEN IN CRISIS BY PROVIDING CONFIDENTIAL COMFORT AND CRITICAL CARE, SPIRITUAL COACHING, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, RESOURCES, AND REFERRALS. TO ALSO PROVIDE TEMPORARY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR WOMEN IN EXTREME OR DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. |
| IRS990EZ/ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp/GrantsAndAllocationsAmt | 0 | 4342 |
| IRS990EZ/ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp/ProgramServiceExpensesAmt | 0 | 44117 |
| IRS990EZ/ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/SalariesOtherCompEmplBnftAmt | 0 | 4558 |
| IRS990EZ/SchoolOperatingInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd | 0 | MN |
| IRS990EZ/SubjectToProxyTaxInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp/BOYAmt | 0 | 16942 |
| IRS990EZ/SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp/EOYAmt | 0 | 16900 |
| IRS990EZ/TanningServicesProvidedInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/TotalExpensesAmt | 0 | 50408 |
| IRS990EZ/TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt | 0 | 44117 |
| IRS990EZ/TotalRevenueAmt | 0 | 47228 |
| IRS990EZ/TransactionWithControlEntInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd | 0 | false |
| IRS990EZ/TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd | 0 | X |
| IRS990EZ/WebsiteAddressTxt | 0 | WWW.FIVESISTERSPROJECT.COM |
| IRS990ScheduleA/Form990ScheduleAPartVIGrp/ExplanationTxt | 0 | REBATE INCOME 782 SECURITY DEPOSIT INCOME 200 EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT 15,825 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/Form990ScheduleAPartVIGrp/FormAndLineReferenceDesc | 0 | PART II, LINE 10 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/CurrentTaxYearAmt | 0 | 47228 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt | 0 | 83406 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt | 0 | 78310 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt | 0 | 63339 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt | 0 | 68326 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp/TotalAmt | 0 | 340609 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/OtherIncome170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt | 0 | 15825 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/OtherIncome170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt | 0 | 486 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/OtherIncome170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt | 0 | 496 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/OtherIncome170Grp/TotalAmt | 0 | 16807 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/PublicOrganization170Ind | 0 | X |
| IRS990ScheduleA/PublicSupportCY170Pct | 0 | 0.93700 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/PublicSupportPY170Pct | 0 | 0.95670 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/PublicSupportTotal170Amt | 0 | 334905 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/SubstantialContributorsTotAmt | 0 | 5704 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind | 0 | X |
| IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/CurrentTaxYearAmt | 0 | 47228 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt | 0 | 83406 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt | 0 | 78310 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt | 0 | 63339 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt | 0 | 68326 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/TotalCalendarYear170Grp/TotalAmt | 0 | 340609 |
| IRS990ScheduleA/TotalSupportAmt | 0 | 357416 |
| IRS990ScheduleB/ContributorInformationGrp/ContributorBusinessName/BusinessNameLine1 | 0 | RESTRICTED |
| IRS990ScheduleB/ContributorInformationGrp/ContributorNum | 0 | RESTRICTED |
| IRS990ScheduleB/ContributorInformationGrp/ContributorUSAddress/AddressLine1 | 0 | RESTRICTED |
| IRS990ScheduleB/ContributorInformationGrp/ContributorUSAddress/AddressLine2 | 0 | RESTRICTED |
| IRS990ScheduleB/ContributorInformationGrp/ContributorUSAddress/City | 0 | RESTRICTED |
| IRS990ScheduleB/ContributorInformationGrp/ContributorUSAddress/State | 0 | RESTRICTED |
| IRS990ScheduleB/ContributorInformationGrp/ContributorUSAddress/ZIPCode | 0 | RESTRICTED |
| IRS990ScheduleB/ContributorInformationGrp/TotalContributionsAmt | 0 | RESTRICTED |
| IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt | 0 | EXPENSES ADVERTISING 465 OFFICE SUPPLIES 3,748 ADMINISTRATIVE 715 BACKGROUND CHECKS 36 96 876 INSURANCE 1,569 OUTREACH/PROGRAM EXPENSES 14,109 MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS 8,497 SUPPLIES 44 NON-INVESTMENT DEPRECIATION 2,998 TOTAL 33,153 |
| IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt | 1 | BUILDINGS & EQUIPMENT 120,092 120,092 LESS ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION 17,924 20,922 NON-CASH ITEMS ON HAND 0 450 TOTAL 102,168 99,620 |
| IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt | 2 | UNSECURED NOTES AND LOANS PAYABLE 16,900 16,900 PAYROLL LIABILITIES 42 0 |
| IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt | 3 | TO SERVE WOMEN IN CRISIS BY PROVIDING CONFIDENTIAL COMFORT AND CRITICAL CARE, SPIRITUAL COACHING, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, RESOURCES, AND REFERRALS. TO ALSO PROVIDE TEMPORARY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR WOMEN IN EXTREME OR DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. |
| IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc | 0 | FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 16 |
| IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc | 1 | FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 24 |
| IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc | 2 | FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 26 |
| IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc | 3 | FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 28 |
| ReturnHeader/BuildTS | 0 | 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z |
| ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd | 0 | true |
| ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/PersonNm | 0 | TRACY MUHLENBECK |
| ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/PersonTitleTxt | 0 | PRESIDENT |
| ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/PhoneNum | 0 | 5073803365 |
| ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/SignatureDt | 0 | 2025-07-24 |
| ReturnHeader/Filer/BusinessName/BusinessNameLine1Txt | 0 | THE BETTER WAY INC |
| ReturnHeader/Filer/BusinessNameControlTxt | 0 | BETT |
| ReturnHeader/Filer/EIN | 0 | 812510365 |
| ReturnHeader/Filer/PhoneNum | 0 | 5073803365 |
| ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/AddressLine1Txt | 0 | 132 SOUTH BROADWAY PO BOX 203 |
| ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/CityNm | 0 | WELLS |
| ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCd | 0 | MN |
| ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/ZIPCd | 0 | 56097 |
| ReturnHeader/IRSResponsiblePrtyInfoCurrInd | 0 | false |
| ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerFirmEIN | 0 | 410977548 |
| ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerFirmName/BusinessNameLine1Txt | 0 | HONSTAD DIESER & MANGSKAU PLLP |
| ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerUSAddress/AddressLine1Txt | 0 | 135 S BROADWAY AVE |
| ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerUSAddress/CityNm | 0 | ALBERT LEA |
| ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerUSAddress/StateAbbreviationCd | 0 | MN |
| ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerUSAddress/ZIPCd | 0 | 560072545 |
| ReturnHeader/PreparerPersonGrp/PhoneNum | 0 | 5073732451 |
| ReturnHeader/PreparerPersonGrp/PreparationDt | 0 | 2025-07-24 |
| ReturnHeader/PreparerPersonGrp/PreparerPersonNm | 0 | KELLY A MONTANYE |
| ReturnHeader/ReturnTs | 0 | 2025-08-01T09:27:55-04:00 |
| ReturnHeader/ReturnTypeCd | 0 | 990EZ |
| ReturnHeader/TaxPeriodBeginDt | 0 | 2024-01-01 |
| ReturnHeader/TaxPeriodEndDt | 0 | 2024-12-31 |
| ReturnHeader/TaxYr | 0 | 2024 |
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