Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a settlement with All In Minnesota (AIM), a youth soccer charity based in Vadnais Heights, over violations of state charities laws. AIM was founded by the organization’s former president, Mark Bigelbach, in 2017.
The Assurance of Discontinuance alleges that AIM's board failed to supervise the organization adequately, leading to several governance failures. The nonprofit provided financial assistance for players of the Minnesota Eclipse youth soccer team from 2017 until summer 2022. During this period, AIM held only one board meeting and did not appoint a treasurer or maintain adequate records. It also lacked policies to protect charitable assets and entered into conflicted transactions with Bigelbach and his entities without proper statutory procedures.
Additionally, AIM did not register as a soliciting charity or charitable trust with the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and ceased its activities in 2022 without formally dissolving.
The settlement requires AIM to dissolve voluntarily within 180 days following court approval. "Irresponsible financial management and conflicted transactions of the kind we saw at All In Minnesota are extremely disappointing and risk eroding public trust in the important work done by nonprofits," said Attorney General Ellison. "We expect much better of our charities in Minnesota."
The Charities Division investigated AIM after receiving a complaint under Minnesota's civil nonprofit corporation and charitable trust laws. These laws mandate strict governance standards for nonprofit directors and those holding charitable assets.
The AGO provides resources about charitable organizations, including pamphlets on governance issues. Minnesotans can submit complaints via the Attorney General’s website or contact the office directly through various phone numbers listed below:
- Metro area: (651) 296-3353
- Greater Minnesota: (800) 657-3787
- Minnesota Relay: (800) 627-3529