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Hear Wisconsin Inc

EIN 39-0826101 · West Allis, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The organization seeks to help infants, children and adults reach their fullest potential by eliminating communication and language barriers through personalized services, technology and education.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 37%
Employees
43
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$167,565, 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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. $562,001 spent. Kellogg Child & Family Program provides appropriate early intervention services to children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The team include Listening and Spoken Language certified, auditory-verbal therapists and speech-language pathologists and sign language instructors. Services are provided in the facility and in natural environments including homes, daycares, schools and via the web through our ConnectHEAR teleintervention program for families living in remote, rural areas where services are not readily available (and during the pandemic to keep everyone safe). Parents learn from the specialized professionals how to encourage their child's development of communication, auditory, language, cognitive, speech and social skills so they can be on par with their hearing peers as they enter kindergarten.
  2. $807,073 spent. The Kay Eckstein Speech & Hearing Center provides an integrated experience for clients and patients needing audiology services and/or consultation services for assistive technology equipment to be used in the home, work or other environments. Our team includes doctors of audiology and technology consultants who will determine what works best for the clients and patients based on their hearing loss and communication needs. HEAR Wisconsin launched the Mobile Audiology Clinic (MAC) to serve even more people in the community. MAC promotes hearing health care and wellness through hearing loss detection, conservation, prevention and education, as part of a community outreach initiative. MAC addresses hearing health disparities among Southeastern Wisconsin's most vulnerable, including children, the low income, homeless, uninsured and underemployed population. Annually, MAC has the potential to screen thousands of children and adults who may otherwise not have an opportunity to be screened.
  3. $670,028 spent. Our center has a wide array of assistive technology devices such as caption phones, amplified phones, bed alarm shakers, visual fire alarm systems, and more to help people of all ages and all degrees of hearing loss. Our technology experts provide free consultation to determine best technology solutions for use in the home, work or in social environments. For over 25 years, HEAR Wisconsin has assisted individuals who are Deaf, blind, low vision, hard of hearing, or have a speech or physical disability utilize Wisconsin's Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP). TEPP helps Wisconsin residents cover the cost of specialized equipment needed for basic telephone services, such as iPhones, Samsung Droids, iPads, captioned phones, sound alert devices, and amplified phones.

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 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 November 1944.

    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.