Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Milwaukee County War Memorial Inc

EIN 39-0985297 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WAR MEMORIAL CENTER'S MISSION IS TO HONOR THE DEAD AND SERVE THE LIVING. WE COMMEMORATE THE COURAGEOUS MEN AND WOMEN WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM WHILE PRESERVING AND SHARING THE STORIES, EXPERIENCES, AND SACRIFICES OF ALL VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$6.6 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
17.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
19
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$146,427, chief operating officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 61% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 186% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.9 million spent. THE WAR MEMORIAL CENTER IS WISCONSIN'S MOST VISIBLE AND ENDURING TRIBUTE TO THE STATE'S VETERANS. BEYOND ITS ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (DESIGNED BY WORLD RENOWNED ARCHITECT EERO SAARINEN), IT HAS GROWN INTO A STATEWIDE HUB FOR VETERAN SERVICES AND REMEMBRANCE. IT IS A PLACE TO EDUCATE OUR YOUTH AND ADULTS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE AND PROVIDE AN OASIS FOR VETERANS IN NEED OF SUPPORT.200,000+ SERVED THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DELIVERED ANNUALLY ON-SITE, ACROSS THE COMMUNITY, AND ONLINE.50,000 VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES SERVED EACH YEAR THROUGH PUBLIC MESSAGING CAMPAIGNS LAUNCHED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VETERAN SUICIDES AND PROMOTE VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH.$580,000 OF IN-KIND SERVICES PROVIDED EACH YEAR TO SUPPORT VETERAN-SERVING AND AREA NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1945.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.