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Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Incorporated

EIN 39-1076993 · Independence, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WESTERN DAIRYLAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL, INC. WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1966, UNDER THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT TO HELP DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS IN BUFFALO, EAU CLAIRE, JACKSON, AND TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES LOCATED IN WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN. THE AGENCY'S MISSION IS TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY RELATED CONDITIONS AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES WHICH ENABLE PEOPLE TO ADVANCE ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY.THE AGENCY WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL. THE AGENCY IS GOVERNED BY A 24 MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPRESENTING A CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY. EIGHT MEMBERS ARE LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, EIGHT ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOW-INCOME POPULATION, AND EIGHT ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS.COMMUNITY ACTION CHANGES PEOPLE'S LIVES, EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF HOPE, IMPROVES COMMUNITIES, AND MAKES AMERICA A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. WE CARE ABOUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, AND WE ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES AND EACH

Income
$20.7 million
Spending
$19.7 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
221
Volunteers
215
Highest pay
$150,319, chief executive officer

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 (6)
  1. $7.8 million spent. CHILD EDUCATION PROGRAMS - PROVIDE PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION AND PARENTING SKILLS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES THROUGH HEAD START. PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE SERVICES. TOTAL OF 538 HEAD START CHILDREN AND 3,8988 PARENTS/FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ASSISTED.
  2. $5.2 million spent. HOUSING/WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS - PERFORM A VARIETY OF ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RESOLVE HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES IN LOW-INCOME HOUSING. 177 HOMES RECEIVED WEATHERIZATION ENERGY CONSERVATION AND REHABILITATION. 3700 APPLICATIONS COMPLETED FOR ENERGY TO ASSIST HOMEOWNERS WITH THEIR ENERGY COSTS BASED ON SIZE OF HOME, NUMBER IN HOME AND INCOME. 404 HOUSEHOLDS ASSISTED WITH EMERGENCY FURNACE ASSISTANCE AND WATER CONSERVATION ISSUES.
  3. $1.9 million spent. FOOD PROGRAMS -PROVIDE SUBSIDIES TO CHILD CARE PROVIDERS FOR MEALS SERVED TO LOW-INCOME CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT COMMODITIES TO FOOD PANTRIES SERVING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. TOTAL OF 445,332 MEALS CLAIMED FOR REIMBURSEMENT WERE PROCESSED FOR PROVIDERS AND 9,707 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED GOODS THROUGH THE FOOD PANTRIES. IN ADDITION THE WEEKEND FOOD FOR KIDS PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED 2,174 POUNDS OF FOOD AND 2,100 VOUCHERS REDEEMABLE FOR 4,256 POUNDS OF FOOD. THE EAGLE'S NEST FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTED 2,268 POUNDS OF FOOD AND 445 SNACKS.
  4. $1.2 million spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
  5. $818,066 spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM.
  6. $2.0 million spent. HOMELESS/SHELTER PROGRAM, YOUTH PROGRAMS, TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS, SENIOR SERVICES PROGRAMS, DISCRETIONARY ACTIVITIES, JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS.

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 1966.

    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.