Miller Dwan Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MILLER-DWAN FOUNDATION IMPROVES THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE OF OUR REGION THROUGH THE CREATION OF IMPACTFUL COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS THAT OVERCOME BARRIERS. WE SUPPORT THE FUTURE AND THE LEGACY OF MILLER-DWAN MEDICAL CENTER, POLINSKY MEDICAL REHABILIATION CENTER, COLVAY HOSPICE HOUSE, AMBERWING - CENTER FOR YOUTH & FAMILY WELL-BEING AND OTHER INITIATIVES FOR OUR REGION'S HEALTH. BY COMING TOGETHER WITH OTHERS WHO SHARE OUR VISION AND PASSION, WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE EVERY DAY.
- Income
- $3.9 million
- Spending
- $3.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 33.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 68%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 60
- Highest pay
- $194,338, president
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 (health care, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 33.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 82% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (7)
- $1.7 million spent. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS MEANINGFUL HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS ON THE MEDICAL CAMPUS AND IN THE COMMUNITY. GRANTS ARE MADE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE IN OUR REGION AND ARE PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON ADULT AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, HOSPICE, PHYSICAL REHABILITATION, CANCER CARE, BURN CARE AND SURGICAL SERVICES.GRANTMAKING AND DESIGNATED FUND SUPPORT:THE MILLER-DWAN FOUNDATION PROVIDES GRANTS TO ADVANCE HEALTH, HEALING, AND WELLNESS IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA AND NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN. THROUGH DESIGNATED FUNDS AND STRATEGIC GRANTMAKING, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROJECTS ALIGNED WITH ITS MISSIONPRIMARILY IN THE AREAS OF MENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL REHABILITATION, HOSPICE CARE, AND SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. IN THE REPORTING YEAR, GRANTS WERE AWARDED TO SUPPORT PATIENT CARE ENHANCEMENTS, INNOVATIVE THERAPIES, STAFF EDUCATION, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND THE PURCHASE OF SPECIALIZED MEDICAL AND THERAPEUTIC EQUIPMENT. THE FOUNDATION ALSO MANAGES DONOR-DIRECTED FUNDS THAT BENEFIT DEPARTMENTS OF THE FORMER MILLER-DWAN MEDICAL CENTER.
- $552,351 spent. NORTHLAND ADAPTIVE RECREATION:NORTHLAND ADAPTIVE RECREATION (NAR) IS A NEWLY ACQUIRED LLC OF THE MILLER-DAWN FOUNDATION. NAR IS A REGIONAL INITIATIVE THAT EXPANDS ACCESS TO OUTDOOR AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMINGSUCH AS KAYAKING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, AND BIKINGARE MADE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS OF ALL ABILITIES. THE PROGRAM PROMOTES PHYSICAL WELLNESS, SOCIAL INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THOSE WHO MAY OTHERWISE BE EXCLUDED FROM TRADITIONAL RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. FUNDING HELPED PURCHASE ADAPTIVE GEAR, SUPPORT INSTRUCTOR TRAINING, AND INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS. IN 2024, NAR SERVED 139 PARTICIPANTS, HAD 343 OUTINGS AND PROVIDED 4,600 HOURS OF SERVICE. IN THE LONG-TERM, NAR IS EXPECTED TO GROW BEYOND ITS CURRENT REGION AND EXPAND PROGRAM OFFERINGS.
- $452,134 spent. PROBLEM MANAGEMENT PLUS (PM+), HOPE X:THE MILLER-DWAN FOUNDATION INITIATED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROBLEM MANAGEMENT PLUS (PM+), A WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION-DEVELOPED, EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION. PM+ IS DESIGNED TO BE DELIVERED BY TRAINED NON-CLINICIANS TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, PARTICULARLY IN LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS. IN 2022-2023, THE FOUNDATION FUNDED THE LAUNCH OF PM+ IN THE REGION TO INCREASE ACCESS TO EARLY MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND REDUCE BARRIERS TO CARE. THE PROGRAM HELPS INDIVIDUALS MANAGE STRESS, SOLVE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS, AND STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SUPPORT. FUNDING SUPPORTED FACILITATOR TRAINING, OUTREACH, AND INITIAL DELIVERY TO COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS. ARCAMIND, A NEWLY FORMED LLC OF THE MILLER-DWAN FOUNDATION, IS THE FOUNDATION'S TRAINING ENTITY PROVIDING PM+, PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID AND DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR SKILLS BUILDING (DBT). IN 2026, ARCAMIND WILL LAUNCH EASE, A PROGRAM SIMILAR TO PM+, BUT DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO PROMOTE SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION BY CHANGING THE WAY MENTAL HEALTH CARE IS PROVIDED IN THE UNITED STATES. IN 2024, 23 PM+ HELPERS WERE TRAINED WITH 13 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING.
- $304,879 spent. SOLVAY HOSPICE HOUSE:SOLVAY HOSPICE HOUSE PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL END-OF-LIFE CARE IN A HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED 209 PATIENTS AT THE END OF LIFE. SERVICES FOCUS ON COMFORT, DIGNITY, AND FAMILY SUPPORT. THE FOUNDATION'S ARTCETERA GALA RAISED OVER $100,000 TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND HOSPICE SERVICES. IN 2024, THE MILLER-DWAN FOUNDATION PROVIDED NEARLY $100,000 IN COMPASSIONATE CARE AND MORE THAN $300,000 IN BUILDING UPDATES. MILLER-DWAN FOUNDATION'S LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE SOLVAY HOSPICE HOUSE CARE.
- $16,521 spent. AMBERWING CENTER FOR YOUTH & FAMILY WELL-BEING:AMBERWING, A MENTAL HEALTH OUTPATIENT CENTER WHICH OPENED IN 2012, PROVIDES SHORT-TERM INTENSIVE TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM SERVED NEARLY 5,000 YOUTH AND FAMILIES BY ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2022. SERVICES INCLUDE GROUP, INDIVIDUAL, AND FAMILY THERAPY, PLUS INTEGRATIVE SUPPORTS LIKE MOVEMENT, MUSIC AND ART THERAPY. THE PROGRAM PROMOTES EMOTIONAL HEALING, FAMILY COHESION, AND LONG-TERM WELL-BEING. IN 2024, PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED A MOVE FROM 3 TO 4 WEEKS OF PROGRAMMING PER CHILD WITH 400 YOUTH SERVED. 67% OF THOSE YOUTH SAW IMPROVEMENT IN SEVERE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IMPAIRMENT. 83% IMPROVED ON ONE MORE OUTCOME INDICATORS (SCHOOL, HOME, MOOD, SELF-HARM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. LONG-TERM, THE MILLER-DWAN FOUNDATION WILL CAPITALIZE ON THE SUCCESS OF AMBERWING EXPANDING PROGRAMMING TO SERVE MORE YOUTH AND FAMILIES ALONG THE CONTINUUM OF CARE.
- POLINSKY MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTER:MILLER-DWAN FOUNDATION IS THE FUNDING ENTITY FOR POLINSKY MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTER PURCHASING EQUIPMENT AND EDUCATION FOR THERAPISTS TO REMAIN FULLY CARF-CERTIFIED AND ON THE CUTTING-EDGE OF CARE. FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2024, 29 THERAPISTS WERE TRAINED IN CHRONIC PAIN, FUNCTION MOVEMENT DISORDERS, POST CONCUSSIVE CARE AND PERSISTENT POSTURAL PERCEPTION DEFICITS. 50 THERAPISTS WERE TRAINED TO PROVIDE PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY. MORE THAN $200,000 IN PHYSICAL MEDICAL REHABILITATION FUNDING WAS DELIVERED TO SUPPORT OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION IN 2024.THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION AT MILLER-DWAN MEDICAL CENTER. IN 2024, THE TOTAL HOSPITAL LENGTH FOR PATIENTS SERVED WAS 1 DAY SHORTER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, HELPING PATIENTS GET BACK TO THE COMMUNITY SOON. THIS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT PURCHASES AND TRAINING PROVIDED BY THE MILLER-DWAN FOUNDATION EXAMPLES OF THIS SUPPORT INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE MOBILITY, COGNITION, AND BALANCE THERAPIES.
- ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY:EXPANDED THE ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY PROGRAM BY ADDING 4 NEW THERAPY DOGS AND REVIVING VOLUNTEER PET VISITS. ENGAGED PATIENTS THROUGH EMOTIONAL AND MOTIVATIONAL THERAPEUTIC ENCOUNTERS WITH ANIMALS INCLUDING MINIATURE HORSES AND A NEWFOUNDLAND THERAPY DOG.COMMUNITY OUTREACH:FUNDED A PEDIATRIC THERAPY LENDING CLOSET IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN, BENEFITING APPROXIMATELY 250 CHILDREN ANNUALLY. ALSO SUPPLIED THERAPY EQUIPMENT TO RURAL CLINICS, IMPROVING ACCESS IN SOLON SPRINGS, POPLAR, AND IRON RIVER.ABILITIES FIRST & DESIGNATED GRANTS:FUNDED EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA AND NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN. ALSO PROVIDED DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC GRANTS TO SUPPORT PATIENT CARE, EDUCATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.STRATEGIC MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES:IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSINSUPERIOR, SUPPORTED THE #BETTERTOGETHER INITIATIVE IN DOUGLAS COUNTY, WISCONSIN. FOCUSED ON SUICIDE PREVENTION, URGENT MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS, AND PROVIDER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
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
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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 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 November 4, 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.