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Literacy Services of Wisconsin Inc

EIN 39-1091203 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LITERACY SERVICES OF WISCONSIN PARTNERS WITH MOTIVATED ADULTS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING SO THEY CAN IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, ENRICH THEIR FAMILIES, AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
32
Volunteers
341
Highest pay
$139,108, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 June 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 (3)
  1. $667,766 spent. ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING (ELL) - THIS PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE BARRIERS AND LACK OF ACCESS TO SERVICES THAT ADULTS FROM OTHER LANGUAGE BACKGROUNDS AND THEIR FAMILIES FACE DAILY. GAINING FLUENCY IN ENGLISH IS ESSENTIAL TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND TO ACQUIRE, MAINTAIN, AND ADVANCE IN EMPLOYMENT THAT PROVIDES A FAMILY-SUSTAINING WAGE. WE OFFER VARIOUS MODES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION, INCLUDING ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING, SMALL GROUP, CLASSROOM, AND THE CURRENT DEVELOPMENT OF A HYBRID MODEL.
  2. $627,975 spent. ADULT EDUCATION - FOR LEARNERS AT LOWER LITERACY LEVELS, WE ARE THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN OUR COMMUNITY IMPLEMENTING THE EVIDENCE-BASED WILSON READING SYSTEM. UNDER TWO CERTIFIED STAFF LEADERS, THIS RIGOROUS PROGRAM PROVIDES HIGHLY EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION USING A PHONETIC APPROACH TO READING FOR ADULTS. MID-LEVEL LEARNERS WISHING TO TRANSITION TO SECONDARY CREDENTIALING PROGRAMS ARE ENROLLED IN BRIDGE COURSES INTENDED TO PREPARE THEM FOR LANGUAGE AND NUMERACY SKILLS NEEDED TO OBTAIN A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA (HSED) OR GED. ALL STUDENTS IDENTIFY INDIVIDUAL GOALS AND BUILD SOFT SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT WHILE ENGAGED IN ACADEMIC STUDIES.
  3. $622,370 spent. CREDENTIALING PROGRAMS - WE PROVIDE DIRECT INSTRUCTION AND CREDENTIALING SERVICES FOR ADULTS LOOKING TO EARN A HSED OR GED. ADULTS ASSESSED AT OR ABOVE A 7TH-GRADE LEVEL MEET WITH OUR STAFF TO DETERMINE THE MOST APPROPRIATE PATH TO THEIR LEARNING AND EMPLOYMENT GOALS. USING A HIGHLY PERSONALIZED ONE-ON-ONE VOLUNTEER TUTORING MODEL, ADULT LEARNERS MAY CHOOSE TO STUDY SUBJECTS AT THEIR OWN PACE TO PREPARE FOR THE FOUR STATE-CERTIFIED GED EXAMS: LANGUAGE ARTS, MATH, SCIENCE, AND SOCIAL STUDIES. ALTERNATIVELY, STUDENTS MAY CHOOSE TO ENTER A HSED PROGRAM, OR ONE OF THE PRE-APPRENTICESHIP CONTEXTUALIZED HSEDS THAT OFFER ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR THE SKILLED TRADES IN CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURING. HSED COURSES ARE COMPETENCY-BASED AND DELIVERED IN A COHORT MODEL IN WHICH LEARNING IS CUSTOMIZED AND RELEVANT TO EACH LEARNER'S SKILLS, GOALS AND SCHEDULE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 1968.

    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.