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Uwm Foundation Inc

EIN 23-7337744 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE UWM FOUNDATION, INC. IS TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY, AND SCIENTIFIC ENDEAVORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE BY RECEIVING, MANAGING, AND DISTRIBUTING GIFTS TO BENEFIT THE UNIVERSITY'S STUDENTS, FACULTY, PROGRAMS, AND COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, THE UWM FOUNDATION PROVIDES LEADERSHIP, OVERSIGHT, AND DIRECTION TO ITS AFFILIATED CORPORATIONS, THE UWM REAL ESTATE FOUNDATION, INC. AND THE UWM RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. THESE CORPORATIONS CREATE NEW UNIVERSITY FACILITIES TO SUPPORT STUDENT LIFE, RESEARCH, ACADEMICS AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND PROVIDE NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE FROM RESEARCH, COMMERCIALIZATION, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES.

Income
$34.1 million
Spending
$28.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
26
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$378,636, president; ex-officio (thru may 25)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 2025, 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. $7.6 million spent. EDUCATION: GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE'S ADMINISTRATION, SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, LIBRARY, ETC. FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF.
  2. $7.2 million spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS: FINANCIAL AID AWARDED TO STUDENTS ENROLLED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE.
  3. $7.1 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDING SPONSORSHIP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE'S PUBLIC RADIO STATION, HONORS PROGRAM, PERFORMING ARTS CONCERT HALL, SCIENCE BAG SERIES, AND INNER CITY NURSING CLINIC.
  4. $2.6 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: RESEARCH PROJECTS CONDUCTED BY FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS IN VARIOUS SCHOOLS AT THE UNIVERISTY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE INCLUDING HEALTH SCIENCES, ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, LETTERS & SCIENCES, NURSING, AND GRADUATE SCHOOL. EDUCATION: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS INCLUDING SEMINARS, LECTURES, AND PERFORMANCES SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE FOR THE ENRICHMENT OF THE METRO-MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 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 1974.

    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.