Passes our checks

Serve Incorporated

EIN 20-0059596 · Bayside, WI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

What it says it does

SERVE IS A NONPROFIT ADVERTISING AGENCY WHOSE MISSION IS TO GIVE UNDERSERVED CHARITABLE CAUSES A STRONGER VOICE IN THE COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

Reserves
20 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 47% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15
Income fell 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
12 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15
Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5
Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10
Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5
Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10
Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$172,432 spent. SERVE MARKETING IS THE NATION'S ONLY ALL-VOLUNTEER, NON-PROFIT ADVERTISING AGENCY WHOSE MISSION IS TO GIVE UNDERSERVED ISSUES AND CHARITIES A STRONG VOICE IN THE COMMUNITY. SERVE IS SPONSORING THE MIGHTY SMALL MOMENTS PROGRAM, A MOVEMENT TO PROVIDE EDUCATION TO MILWAUKEE FAMILIES ABOUT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT. SERVE IS WORKING ON A YOUTH COALITION CAMPAIGN FOR MENTAL HEALTH CALLED THE 1MORE CAMPAIGN. THE COALITION GROUP IS VOICES OF HOPE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.