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Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan

EIN 39-0816846 · West Allis, WI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ACT COMPASSIONATELY. SERVE HUMBLY. LEAD COURAGEOUSLY.

Income
$73.1 million
Spending
$69.9 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 88%
Employees
1,021
Volunteers
52
Highest pay
$550,190, 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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)
  1. $28.3 million spent. COMMUNITY BASED-SERVICES INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, SKILL BUILDING AND CARE COORDINATION. SPECIFIC SERVICES IN ADOPTION, FOSTER CARE, EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH, IN HOME THERAPY FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS AND FAMILIES, SUBSTANCE USE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT AND RESOURCE CENTERS FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.
  2. $15.2 million spent. HOUSING AND YOUTH RESIDENTIAL-SERVICES INCLUDE HUD AND TAX CREDIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING,YOUTH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER, TRANSITIONAL LIVING SITES FOR VETERANS, HOMELESS SERVICES INCLUDING TENANT RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SERVICE COORDINATION AT AFFORDABLE HOUSING SITES, REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT SERVICES.
  3. $14.3 million spent. ADULT RESIDENTIAL AND LONG-TERM CARE - SERVICES INCLUDE ADULT RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT CENTERS, MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS FACILITIES, COMMUNITY BASED LONG TERM SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND FRAIL ELDERLY.

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

  1. 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1964.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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.