Minnesota Telecom Alliance

What it reported doing in 2024

With over 180 members, the mta actively advocates and represents the interests of Minnesota's telecom industry, including small, medium and large telecommunications companies that provide advanced voice, data, high-speed internet and wireless communications services. The organization serves its members by informing and educating member companies on subjects relating to the telecommunications industry; developing and promoting uniform standards of communications services, procedures and practices; supporting the provision of high quality, universal service for consumers; informing and educating consumers, legislators and regulators on the necessity, applications and benefits of a reliable, efficient and modern telecommunications infrastructure and the need for adequate compensation to fund the infrastructure; and by representing the member companies' interests before the general public and legislative and regulatory bodies. Mta hosts one of the nation's largest state telecommunications convention and trade show. The 2025 annual convention was held march 10 through march 12, 2025 and included general and breakout sessions, networking opportunities and exhibits. Mta communicates with its members through its bi-weekly electronic newsletters. Mta has numerous member driven committees and peer groups that provide networking opportunities for members to engage and share common practices and technical expertise. Mta conducts an annual "day on the hill" where members engage with their local legislators on issues relating to telecommunications.mta offers training programs to meet the needs of its members. Its safety program is a total safety, health, and environmental loss-control program designed specifically for independent telephone companies.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: Limited
• Program expense ratio: Limited
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 1.5%; rating input score 39; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.57; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.28; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 11.2%; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: 4.5% per year; rating input score 100; 38th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -2.9% per year; rating input score 0; 6th percentile among comparable filings