Milwaukee Center for Independence Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
MILWAUKEE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE, INC. (MCFI) PARTNERS WITH PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES TO ADVANCE THEIR TOTAL HEALTH WITH A VISION OF CREATING HEALTHY AND HOPEFUL COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $47.9 million
- Spending
- $48.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- -5.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 87%
- Employees
- 656
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $376,081, president/ceo
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: 38 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 134% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
0 of 250 of 2 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 (4)
- $24.6 million spent. MCFI'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION SERVES ADULTS LIVING WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, ADDICTION, OR CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS. SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE SUPPORTIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, CRISIS INTERVENTION, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, HOUSING, OUTPATIENT CLINICAL SERVICES, AND BENEFIT ADVOCACY.
- $14.6 million spent. MCFI'S COMMERCIAL & EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH BARRIERS TO WORK - INCLUDING DISABILITIES, LITERACY GAPS, AND PAST CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS - THROUGH SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION, PLACEMENT, AND COACHING. PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM LEARN SELF-MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND RECEIVE ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCE IN THE FOOD SERVICE AND CUSTODIAL INDUSTRIES. MCFI SUPPORTS BUSINESSES WITH RECRUITMENT, EVALUATION, TRAINING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES, AND HELPS IDENTIFY TASKS AND PROJECTS FOR JOB-SEEKERS TO INCREASE THEIR EMPLOYABILITY.
- $2.1 million spent. MCFI'S CHILDRENS SERVICES OFFER EARLY INTERVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO HELP CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES OVERCOME THE ODDS AND REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL. SERVICES INCLUDE BIRTH-TO-THREE IN HOME EDUCATION AND SPECIALIZED THERAPIES FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS AT RISK OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. PEDIATRIC SKILLED NURSING PROVIDES MEDICAL DAY CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS, AND WELLS STREET ACADEMY IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL OFFERING EDUCATION TO CHILDREN IN A SETTING THAT MEETS THEIR MEDICAL NEEDS.
- $2.3 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS AT MCFI INCLUDE DAY PROGRAMMING FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES, REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE SERVICES, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
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 December 1946.
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.