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Esther Inc

EIN 20-1644135 · Neenah, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FAITH COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPACT JUSTICE.

Income
$297,311
Spending
$169,810
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
15.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
0
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$58,874, executive 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (4)
  1. $23,208 spent. ESTHER RECEIVED MONEY FROM THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEATH SERVICES AS PART OF A MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES FOR A JUST RESPONSE GRANT. WE USED THIS MONEY FOR EIGHT HOUSING ADVOCATES WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE TO LEAD OUR HOMELESSNESS EFFORTS. THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FORMERLY INCARCERATED, STRUGGLING WITH HOUSING INSECURITY, YOUNG ADULTS, IMMIGRANTS, INDIVIDUALS FROM THE RECOVERY COMMUNITY AND THE FORMERLY EVICTED. THEY ARE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR WORK, WHICH IS COLLABORATING WITH THEIR PEERS ABOUT HOUSING INSECURITY ISSUES, AND THEN MEETING REGULARLY AS A TEAM FOR DEBRIEFING AND TRAINING. MEMBERS OF THE TEAM HAVE SPOKEN PUBLICLY ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND HAVE WRITTEN ARTICLES FOR THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER. THEY HAVE ORGANIZED THEMSELVES INTO A HOUSING ADVOCATE TEAM AND HAVE TAKEN ON THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS BECAUSE IT DIRECTLY IMPACTS THEM. THEY WANT TO SEE PUBLIC POLICIES THAT DIRECTLY BENEFIT THEM (THEIR SELF-INTERESTS) AND THOSE WHOM THEY CARE ABOUT.OUR HOUSING ADVOCATES IN OSHKOSH ARE VERY ENGAGED IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZING. THEY ARE COLLECTING PERSONAL STORIES FROM THOSE IMPACTED BY INACCESSIBLE HOUSING. THEY COLLECT STORIES FROM PEOPLE AT FOOD PANTRIES, HOMELESS SHELTERS, LONG-TERM HOTELS AND THE RECOVERY COMMUNITY. THOSE STORIES WILL BE THE BASIS OF THEIR ORGANIZING WORK AS THEY CONTINUE IN THEIR ADVOCACY WORK. THE GRANT CONCLUDED IN MAY, 2024.
  2. $3,300 spent. THE VOLUNTEERS FOR CIRCLES OF SUPPORT WORK WITH RETURNING CITIZENS FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THEY MEET WITH THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS AND OFFER THEM SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT AS THEY REINTEGRATE BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. CIRCLES OF SUPPORT WILL ON OCCASION HELP OUT WITH ACUTE FINANCIAL NEEDS BUT FOR THE MOST PART IS THERE AS A SUPPORT SYSTEM.
  3. $2,921 spent. THE EQUITY AND RACIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY EVENTS DEDICATED TO EQUITABLE TREATMENT AND SUPPORT FOR ALL PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
  4. $109,079 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES (DESCRIPTION IS OPTIONAL)THE LEAD ORGANIZER, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR AND ALL EXPENSES EXCEPT THE OFFICE ASSISTANT AND OFFICE SUPPLIES ARE DEDICATED TO PROGRAM SERVICES. THE LEAD ORGANIZER IS NOT "MANAGEMENT", BUT AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN ALL PROGRAMMING.

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 2024.

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

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.

    Recognized by the IRS in July 2026. It is too new to have a track record.

    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.