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Colony Brands Foundation Inc

EIN 20-1344988 · Monroe, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceWeak35 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Support Madison Community Foundation, a Sec. 501(c)(3) organization.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$4.7 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
10.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$303,631, director

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

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 170% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 485% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • 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

Impact evidence

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

Programs described in its return (46)
  1. $4.0 million spent. Contribute to funding of Green County Family YMCA programs.
  2. $169,158 spent. Contribution to funding of UW-Madison recruiting flights and general support.
  3. $120,700 spent. Associate Donation Program - The Foundation matches donations made by employees of Colony Brands and affiliated companies to encourage giving and involvement in local communities.
  4. $100,000 spent. Contribution to funding of UW-Madison Kohl Center expansion.
  5. $30,500 spent. Contribution to support Main Street Monroe programs.
  6. $29,000 spent. Contribution to support Green County Cheese Days programs.
  7. $23,100 spent. Contribution to support New Glarus School District programs.
  8. $21,700 spent. Contribute to funding of Monroe Arts Center programs and new building.
  9. $20,907 spent. Donor fees to supported organization - Madison Community Foundation
  10. $20,000 spent. Contribution to support Friends of New Glarus Woods State Park Inc programs.
  11. $20,000 spent. Contribution to support the Charles E Kubly Foundation programs.
  12. $18,900 spent. Providing long term, low interest educational loans for students planning on returning to Green County, WI after studies have been completed.
  13. $17,575 spent. Contribution to support Monroe School District programs.
  14. $15,000 spent. Contribution to support Rubin for Kids programs.
  15. $10,000 spent. Contribution to support Edgewood College programs.
  16. $5,000 spent. Contribution to support Capitol Off Road Pathfinders programs.
  17. $5,000 spent. Contribution to support Edgewood High School programs.
  18. $5,000 spent. Contribution to support New Glarus Cares Community Foundation programs.
  19. $5,000 spent. Contribution to support The Road Home Dane County programs.
  20. $4,000 spent. Contribution to support Brodhead Music Boosters programs.
  21. $3,200 spent. Contribution to support Blackhawk School District programs.
  22. $3,200 spent. Contribution to support Brodhead School District programs.
  23. $2,500 spent. Contribution to support Access to Independence programs.
  24. $2,000 spent. Contribution to support Friends of Cadiz Springs programs.
  25. $2,000 spent. Contribution to support Monticello School District programs.
  26. $1,500 spent. Contribution to support Boys and Girls Club of Dane County programs.
  27. $1,500 spent. Contribution to support Juda School District programs.
  28. $1,500 spent. Contribution to support Belleville School District programs.
  29. $1,500 spent. Contribution to support Argyle School District programs.
  30. $1,500 spent. Contribution to support Albany School District programs.
  31. $1,500 spent. Contribution to support United Way of Green County programs.
  32. $1,500 spent. Contribution to support UW Madison Elevando Wisconsin programs.
  33. $1,000 spent. Contribution to support Badger Prairie Needs Network programs.
  34. $1,000 spent. Contribution to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Green County programs.
  35. $1,000 spent. Contribution to support CSFW Green County Child Advocacy Center Fund programs.
  36. $1,000 spent. Contribution to support Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center programs.
  37. $500 spent. Contribution to support Jacob's Swag Foundation Inc programs.
  38. $200 spent. Contribution to support Suicide Prevention Corporation of Southwest WI programs.
  39. $100 spent. Contribution to support Neighbors Helping Neighbors Inc programs.
  40. $100 spent. Contribution to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison programs.
  41. $100 spent. Contribution to support Salvation Army programs.
  42. $75 spent. Contribution to support Harvest in the Gardens Inc programs.
  43. $40 spent. Contribution to support Bethel Horizons Foundation Inc programs.
  44. $25 spent. Contribution to support Mount Horeb Volunteers Inc programs.
  45. $20 spent. Contribution to support Northwest Dane Senior Services Inc programs.
  46. Contribution to support Clinton Art Association programs.

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

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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.