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Family & Childrens Center

EIN 39-0821863 · La Crosse, 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

TO SERVE CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND PROMOTE INDIVIDUAL WELL-BEING.

Income
$11.3 million
Spending
$10.6 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
205
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$187,021, 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 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

    18 of 18 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 (7)
  1. $3.3 million spent. OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES (DAY TREATMENT) PROVIDE DAY PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 17 WHOSE EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL OR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS PREVENT THEM FROM BEING SUCCESSFUL AT SCHOOL, HOME OR IN THE COMMUNITY. WITH THESE SUPPORTS CHILDREN CAN REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES WITH THEIR FAMILY, BUT RECEIVE SUPPORT TO WORK THROUGH THEIR ISSUES. THE PROGRAMS UTILIZE A TRAUMA INFORMED FRAMEWORK THAT WORKS TO IMPROVE OVERALL WELL-BEING AND BUILD SKILLS THAT LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR FUTURE SUCCESS.
  2. $1.9 million spent. OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS PROVIDE COORDINATED CARE FOR ADULTS LIVING WITH SEVERE AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS WHO ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY COPING WITH THE ORDINARY DEMANDS OF LIFE. THROUGH INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, CONSUMERS CAN LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY. A TEAM CONSISTING OF PSYCHIATRISTS, NURSES, CASE MANAGERS, AND MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIANS PROVIDE AN ARRAY OF SERVICES TO MEET BASIC NEEDS LIKE HOUSING AND PERSONAL CARE, AS WELL AS HELP MONITOR MEDICATION, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MAINTAIN CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER THERAPEUTIC AND REHABILITATION SERVICES. THE CENTRAL FOCUS IS TO FACILITATE THE RECOVERY PROCESS SO INDIVIDUALS CAN AVOID BOTH SHORT AND LONG-TERM PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL STAYS.
  3. $707,532 spent. HIAWATHA HALL IS A NINE-BED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY SERVING SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA, PRIMARILY, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE COUNTIES OF WINONA, HOUSTON, AND WABASHA. IT IS OUR PHILOSOPHY THAT THE CONSUMERS OF SERVICES MUST BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THEIR OWN TREATMENT. CONSUMER CHOICE IS A DETERMINING FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TREATMENT GOALS. TREATMENT AT HIAWATHA HALL WILL BE SHORT-TERM. OUR SERVICE PHILOSOPHY IS TO DEVELOP AND ENHANCE PSYCHIATRIC STABILITY, PERSONAL AND EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENT, SELF- SUFFICIENCY AND SKILLS TO LIVE IN A MORE INDEPENDENT SETTING AS LONG AS MEDICAL NECESSITY CRITERIA ARE MET. CONSUMER OVERALL GOALS WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PLANNING WITH EACH RESIDENT AND THROUGH USE OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES.
  4. $622,137 spent. EDUCATION AND DAY TREATMENT SERVICES
  5. $728,566 spent. HEALTHY FAMILIES
  6. $1.6 million spent. OUTPATIENT COUNSELING SERVICES
  7. $64,316 spent. TREATMENT FOSTER CARE

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 October 1939.

    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.