The Fortress Project Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE ARE A LICENSED AND INSURED CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, WHICH BUILDS, REPAIRS, AND REMODELS HOMES. WE ALSO PARTNER WITH VOLUNTEERS IN LOCAL CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS OUTSIDE AND WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO BUILD, REPAIR, OR REMODEL HOMES OF THOSE IN NEED.
- Income
- $6.0 million
- Spending
- $6.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 0.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 100%
- Employees
- 7
- Highest pay
- $152,032, ceo-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
Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 31% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% 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: 33 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
- $5.8 million spent. IN MARCH, WE WERE CONTACTED BY A LOCAL CHURCH MEMBER TO ASSIST A COUPLE IN RIVER FALLS, WI. BARB AND MARK ARE LONG-TIME RESIDENTS WHO ARE BOTH DISABLED. BARB SUFFERED TREMENDOUS INJURY OVER 40 YEARS AGO IN A HOUSE FIRE, WHERE SHE LOST BOTH LEGS AND ONE ARM. MARK ALSO SUFFERED GREAT INJURY YEARS AGO IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. WHILE CHANGING A TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, A DISTRACTED DRIVER HIT HIM AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE CHURCH MEMBER WAS A FRIEND OF THEIRS WHO OFTEN ASSISTED IN CLEANING AND CARING FOR THE HOME. SHE NOTICED BARB HAVING DIFFICULTY IN HER MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR, MOVING ABOUT THE MAIN FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. THE FLOORING IN THE HOME HAD MULTIPLE AREAS OF REPAIR AND SIGNIFICANT WEAR. THERE WERE ALSO SEVERAL TRANSITIONS TO DIFFERENT FLOORING PRODUCTS. WE DECIDED A COMPLETE REFLOORING OF THE KITCHEN, DINING, BATHROOM, LAUNDRY, AND HALLWAY WAS NEEDED. IN LATE APRIL WE BEGAN REMOVING DOORS, APPLIANCES, FURNITURE, TRIM, AND FIXTURES. WE ALSO DISCOVERED ADDITIONAL NEEDS ALONG THE WAY; CLOGGED DRYER VENT, LEAKING WATER LINE TO THE WASHER AND IN REFRIGERATOR. IN ADDITION, PORTIONS OF THE KITCHEN CABINETRY WERE CUSTOM BUILT, HAVING TO BE REBUILT WHEN REPLACING THE DISHWASHER, REFRIGERATOR, AND MICROWAVE. SPECIAL TIME CONSIDERATIONS WERE NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE THE HOMEOWNERS, AS THERE WAS ONLY ONE WORKING BATHROOM IN THE HOME. BEGINNING IN MAY, WE DISASSEMBLED THE BATHROOM LAST AND REBUILT IT FIRST. HAMMERNICKS FLOORING COMPANY RECOMMENDED A DURABLE GLUED DOWN FLOORING PRODUCT TO BE USED, AS IT WOULD STAND UP TO THE HIGH TRAFFIC OF MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR. THEY ALSO SUPPLIED ALL THE MATERIALS NEEDED. MEMBERS FROM 3 AREA CHURCHES AND FORTRESS PROJECT STAFF RALLIED TO INSTALL FLOORING OVER 2 DAYS. AFTER FLOORING, FLOOR VENTS WERE CUT IN, TRIM AND NEW TRANSITIONS WERE INSTALLED, DOORS WERE PUT BACK. APPLIANCES AND CABINETRY WERE REINSTALLED, WITH ADJUSTMENTS AND REPAIRS MADE. PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND FURNITURE WERE REPLACED. THE PROJECT WAS COMPLETED JUNE 1ST. -------------------------------------------------------------- IN OCTOBER WE WERE CONTACTED BY BARRY, BROTHER OF HOMEOWNER GREG. GREGS HOUSE IN NORTH HUDSON WI, WAS BEING CONDEMNED, AND HE WAS THREATENED WITH BEING FORCED TO MOVE OUT. HIS DRAINS HAD NOT BEEN FUNCTIONING PROPERLY FOR OVER A YEAR, WHEN WE WERE CONTACTED BY HIS BROTHER BARRY. BOTH TOILETS IN THE HOME WERE FULLY STOPPED AND IMPACTED WITH WASTE, AS WERE LAVATORY SINKS. SOMEHOW THE KITCHEN SINK STILL DRAINED, BUT SLOWLY. THE HOMEOWNER HAD BEEN USING THE LOCAL GAS STATION FACILITIES OR 5 GALLON PAILS FOR WASTE STORAGE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. HE HAD NOT BATHED OR WASHED CLOTHES FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME EITHER, WHEN FORTRESS WAS INVITED TO ASSESS THE HOME. FORTRESS CONTACTED ASSOCIATE DRAIN AND PLUMBING EXPERTS TO ASSIST. WE DISCOVERED THE DRAINS LEADING TO THE STREET HAD BEEN CLOGGED BY YEARS OF TREE ROOT GROWTH. ULTIMATE DRAIN SERVICES CLEARED THE LINE, AND WATER FLOWED FREELY AGAIN. THEN, A NEW ISSUE UNCOVERED: TRAPS AND DRAIN CONNECTIONS FROM THE 2 BATHROOMS LEAKED. WE REMOVED DEBRIS FROM THE BASEMENT, AND PLUMBERS WERE BROUGHT IN TO CORRECT SOME DIY PLUMBING FIXES. WE ALSO CAPPED AND CLOSED AN UNNEEDED BATHROOM IN THE HOME. IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE BATHING EASIER, FORTRESS SUGGESTED A LAYOUT CHANGE IN THE MAIN RESTROOM THAT INCLUDED MOVING THE TOILET TO THE OPPOSITE WALL, NEW FLOORING, BATH FAN, AND GRAB BARS. HOMEOWNER GREG WAS UNWILLING TO APPROVE OF ANY CHANGES. GREAT STRIDES WERE MADE TOWARD CORRECTION, BUT THE HOMEOWNER STOPPED SHORT OF FULL RENOVATION. -------------------------------------------------------------- IN NOVEMBER, AN ASSOCIATE OF FORTRESS CONTACTED US TO HELP HIS FRIEND, A TERMINALLY ILL MAN NAMED KURT. KURT LIVED WITH HIS MOTHER AND STEP FATHER, IN A HOME WITH SIGNIFICANT ROOF AND DECK ROT. BUCKETS HAD BEEN STRATEGICALLY PLACED IN THE ATTIC AND FRONT ROOM TO COLLECT WATER DURING RAINFALL OR SNOW MELT. ALSO, SELECT DECK BOARDS AND STEPS WERE BEING AVOIDED ALTOGETHER TO PREVENT INJURY FROM FALLING THROUGH. KURT WAS A FATHER OF THREE CHILDREN WHO STAYED AT THE HOME DURING SHORT VISITS. DUE TO WINTER COMING SOON, WE TEMPORARILY PATCHED UP SOME AREAS, AND POSTPONED EXTERIOR WORK TO SPRING 2025. BECAUSE OF HIS CONDITION, KURT HAD DIFFICULTY MOVING ABOUT IN THE BATHROOM. FORTRESS INSTALLED HANDRAILS IN THE SHOWER AND AT THE TOILET TO ASSIST IN MOBILITY. SADLY, KURT PASSED AWAY IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, 2025. 2 ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE FORTRESS PROJECT WILL STILL COMPLETE THE NEEDED EXTERIOR REPAIRS LATER THIS SPRING. -------------------------------------------------------------- PROJECT 4. DAVID AND HIS MOTHER LIVE IN A 1000SF CABIN BESIDE THE APPLE RIVER IN AMERY, WI. FALL 2023, A GROUP OF NEARLY 20 MEN FROM A VARIETY OF CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES CAME TOGETHER TO REPLACE THEIR BADLY AGED ROOF. OUR REPAIR PROJECT CONTINUED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE HOME IN 2024. THE HOME HAD A FAILING FURNACE, NON-FUNCTIONING WASHING MACHINE, AND A SHOWER THAT ONLY PRODUCED HOT WATER (COLD SIDE WAS CORRODED CLOSED). WORKING WITH PROFESSIONALS IN PLUMBING AND HVAC, AND SEVERAL VOLUNTEERS, WE WERE ABLE TO ADDRESS AND REMEDY EACH ISSUE. A NEW BATHROOM SHOWER WAS PLUMBED, HVAC WAS SERVICED AND CLEANED, WASHING MACHINE WAS REPAIRED. THIS PROJECT RAN FROM JANUARY TO FEBRUARY. LATE AUGUST WE MET WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF CORRIES HOUSE, A SAFE-HOUSE SUPPORTER FOR SEX-TRAFFICKED CHILDREN. THEY ARE OPENING A SAFE-HOUSE FOR GIRLS AGED 12-18 IN THE EAST METRO AREA. THE SUBURBAN HOME, SET IN AN ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOOD, NEEDED ADDITIONAL PRIVACY MEASURES. IN SEPTEMBER, THE FORTRESS PROJECT DESIGNED, CREATED, AND INSTALLED A VISUAL BUFFER THAT ATTACHED TO THE SECOND LEVEL DECK. THIS ALLOWED GIRLS TO BE ON THE DECK OUTSIDE, BUT NOT IN DIRECT LINE OF SITE TO NEIGHBORING HOMES OR BACKYARDS. THERE ARE MORE PROJECTS, AS WELL. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF ANYTHING ELSE IS NEEDED. OUR MINISTRY PROJECTS ARE ABUNDANT AND ONGOING.
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 October 13, 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 February 2010.
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 October 21, 2026.
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