Waukesha Downtown Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE A VIBRANT BUSINESS COMMUNITY PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STREETS OFDOWNTOWN WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN; TO ENCOURAGE INVOLVEMENT AND BUILD LEADERSHIP IN DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATION THAT PLANS AND DELIVERS THE VISIONARY OBJECTIVES OF ITS MEMBERSHIP; TO DRIVE THE POSITIVE MESSAGE THAT WAUKESHA IS A NEW AND CHANGING ENVIRONMENT WHICH ENCOURAGES PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO COME EXPERIENCE DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA; TO BUILD BUSINESS EXCITEMENT BY DEVELOPING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES USING OUR COLLECTIVE IMAGINATIONS; TO IMPLEMENT A FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS MAKING DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA THE PLACE TO BE; TO UTILIZE OUR RESOURCES OF CULTURE, HISTORY, AESTHETICS, THE RIVER WALK, AND PEOPLE; TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF ENJOYMENT IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE MERCHANTS,SERVICES, ASSOCIATIONS, PATRONS, AND INSTITUTIONS.
- Income
- $121,962
- Spending
- $144,989
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 25
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- THE WAUKESHA DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION HOSTS THE WAUKESHA FARMERS MARKET FROM MAY THROUGH OCTOBER EACH YEAR IN THE WAUKESHA STATE BANK PARKING LOT. THE FARMER'S MARKET BRINGS THOUSANDS OF SHOPPERS TO DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN EVERY SATURDAY MORNING FROM 8 AM - NOON, WITH OVER 100 VENDORS PARTICIPATING DURING THE PEAK SEASON.
- THE WAUKESHA DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION HOSTS FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE WHICH INCLUDES TWELVE WEEKS OF ENTERTAINMENT HELD FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST EACH YEAR BRINGING THOUSANDS OF SHOPPERS TO DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN. THE STREETS IN DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA ARE CLOSED OFF AND EIGHT STAGES HOST PERFORMANCES FROM 6:30 PM TO 9:00PM EVERY SUMMER FRIDAY EXCEPT THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND.
- THE WAUKESHA DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION HOSTS HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES IN DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN, DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER INCLUDING THE WAUKESHA TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY, LANTERN STROLL, HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES, LIVE REINDEER, LETTERS TO SANTA, PICTURES WITH SANTA, HOLIDAY SIDEWALK CUT-OUT CHARACTERS AND STROLLING CAROLERS. THESE ACTIVITIES BRING THOUSANDS OF SHOPPERS TO WAUKESHA'S DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES DISTRICT AS RESIDENTS ATTEND ONE THE VARIOUS EVENTS OR TO VIEW THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.