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Passes our checks

District Council of Madison Inc Society of St Vincent De Paul

EIN 39-0824876 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DISTRICT COUNCIL OF MADISON INC., SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL IS A CATHOLIC LAY ORGANIZATION IN WHICH MEMBERS JOIN TOGETHER IN FRIENDSHIP TO GROW SPIRITUALLY BY PROVIDING PERSON-TO-PERSON SERVICES TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED.

Income
$13.9 million
Spending
$12.2 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
404
Volunteers
493
Highest pay
$125,355, ceo & executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 30, 2025, 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)
  1. $7.4 million spent. OUR SEVEN DANE COUNTY THRIFT STORES, TOGETHER WITH THE CENTRAL PROCESSING CENTER THAT DISTRIBUTES GOODS TO THEM, PROVIDE THE LARGEST SHARE OF FUNDING FOR OUR MISSION OF HELPING NEIGHBORS IN NEED. THESE FUNDS ARE THE NET REVENUE PRODUCED FROM OUR STORES' SALES OF DONATED, GENTLY USED GOODS INCLUDING CLOTHING, SHOES, FURNITURE, HOUSEWARES, BOOKS AND MORE. THESE GOODS ARE RECEIVED AT EACH STORE, THROUGH HOME PICK-UP BY OUR TRUCKING FLEET, AND COLLECTION AT SEVERAL LOCAL DROP BOX SITES. OUR STORES ALSO PROVIDE DIRECT CHARITY TO LOCAL PEOPLE IN NEED THROUGH A VOUCHER SYSTEM; CLIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED BY STAFF, MEMBERS OR VOLUNTEERS ARE ABLE TO VISIT OUR STORES AND OBTAIN CLOTHING, FURNITURE, BEDDING AND HOUSEWARES THROUGH THE USE OF VOUCHERS. IN THIS 2024/25 FISCAL YEAR, OUR SEVEN STORES PROVIDED OVER $1.7 MILLON IN NET REVENUE TO FUND OUR MISSION OF CHARITABLE AID. THOSE STORES ALSO GAVE TO PEOPLE IN NEED -- DIRECTLY OUT OF STORE INVENTORY -- CLOTHING PROVIDING VALUED AT $522,470, FURNITURE VALUED AT $62,439, NEW MATTRESSES AND PORTABLE CRIBS COSTING $124,538.
  2. $2.2 million spent. THE CENTER FOR VINCENTIAN CHARITY IN MADISON HOUSES OUR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND OUR TWO LARGEST PROGRAMS, THE FOOD PANTRY AND CHARITABLE PHARMACY. THE CENTER'S STAFF ALSO ARRANGES FOR HOME VISITS BY OUR MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO HELP DETERMINE THE NEEDS OF HOUSEHOLDS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE AND TO BRING THE SOCIETY'S RESOURCES TO BEAR ON THE POVERTY WE ENCOUNTER. DURING THIS 2024/25 FISCAL YEAR, OUR CENTER'S FOOD PANTRY PROVIDED LOCAL HOUSEHOLDS WITH FOOD VALUED AT $4,007,996. DURING THIS YEAR, OUR SERVICE CENTER STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED DANE COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS WITH 112,841 PEOPLE INCLUDING 42,490 CHILDREN IN 46,215 INSTANCES. THE CHARITABLE PHARMACY DISPENSED MEDICATION VALUED AT $1,034,517.WE ALSO PURCHASED DIAPERS COSTING $143,313 AND DISTRIBUTED TO THOSE IN NEED WHILE VISITING THE FOOD PANTRY.
  3. $450,545 spent. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS OF ASSISTANCE INCLUDE UTILITY ASSISTANCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MADISON GAS & ELECTRIC, AND OUR SETON PROGRAM. THROUGH THE PROGRAM WITH MG&E, WE COVER THE COST OF OVERDUE UTILITIES FOR HOUSEHOLDS FACING SHUT-OFFS, DURING THIS 2024/25 FISCAL YEAR VALUED AT $73,866. THE SETON PROGRAM, GIVES WRAPAROUND CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO NEWLY HOUSED FAMILIES WHICH HAD BEEN HOMELESS, AND PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COVER EXPENSES OUTSIDE THEIR BUDGETS. BECAUSE THESE FAMILIES PAY MORE THAN HALF THEIR INCOME IN RENT, THEY STRUGGLE TO MEET OTHER NEEDS LIKE CAR REPAIRS, EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE, OR LOST WAGES FROM SICK TIME UNCOVERED BY PAID TIME OFF. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED DIRECT ASSISTANCE OF $34,159 TO 14 FAMILIES. WE ALSO GAVE OVER $68,000 IN DIRECT ASSISTANCE FOR VARIOUS MISCELLENOUS, UNFORESEEN AND URGET NEEDS UNDER THE SISTER ROSALIE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
  4. $496,407 spent. VINNY'S LOCKERS AND OTHER PROGRAMMING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 2025.

    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 June 2010.

    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.