Bizstarts Milwaukee Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $822,832
- Spending
- $976,842
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 51%
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $154,006, executive director/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
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 95% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2532 of 32 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 (3)
- $420,679 spent. Coaching program - BizStarts offers one-on-one, ongoing coaching at no cost to anyone thinking about starting a business who is located in Wisconsin. During coaching appointments, participants are able to make an appointment with one of our coaches who can answer business questions, offer small business technical assistance, recommend next steps, and connect to the business resources and mentors they need to start and grow their business.
- $47,932 spent. Mentor program - BizStarts Mentor Program consists of seasoned volunteers from the corporate and entrepreneurial community. BizStarts coaches connect entrepreneurs to mentors based on the entrepreneurs challenges and the mentors area of expertise. Coaches may connect entrepreneurs directly to mentors after a coaching appointment or they may invite the entrepreneur to present at BizStarts Mentor Forum. At the Mentor Forum, the entrepreneur presents their current business challenges to a panel of BizStarts mentors. Our highly skilled mentor network provide real time feedback, connections, and help overcoming specific challenges. 1-3 mentors volunteer to work with the entrepreneur after the Formum.
- $280,582 spent. The BizStarts Community Market opened its doors in October 2023 as a hub for entrepreneurs to learn and grow. It hosts BizStarts programming, including the BizStarts Institute and a variety of monthly workshops. When not used for programming, the space operates as a store and caf where entrepreneurs can sell their products to the Milwaukee community. BizStarts supports each entrepreneur in preparing their products for retail, providing sales reports to assist them in expanding to other retail locations.
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 April 2009.
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.