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Portal-Foster Center Inc

EIN 39-1053697 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 103 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

PORTAL-FOSTER CENTER, INC. PROVIDES ADVOCACY AND HOUSING FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

Income
$124,792
Spending
$108,114
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
49.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
9

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (housing, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 49.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 103 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (housing, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $91,344 spent. PORTAL-FOSTER CENTER, INC. OWNS AND MANAGES FOUR PROPERTIES THAT PROVIDE AFFORDABLE SUBSIDIZED HOUSING FOR ADULTS WITH SEVERE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. VOLUNTEER PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IS USED TO KEEP COSTS LOW FOR RESIDENTS.THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY MAKING DISTRIBUTIONS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT QUALIFY AS EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE IRC; ESTABLISHING AND OPERATING PROGRAMS WHICH WILL PROMOTE THE EDUCATIONAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF PERSONS WHO ARE SEVERELY HANDICAPPED. TO ENGAGE IN OTHER ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES IN CONNECTION THEREWITH; PROVIDING HANDICAPPED PERSONS WITH HOUSING FACILITIES AND SERVICES SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO MEET THEIR PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS, AND TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, HEALTH, AND SECURITY.

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 2020.

    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.