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Journey House Inc

EIN 39-1203539 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

JOURNEY HOUSE EMPOWERS FAMILIES ON MILWAUKEE'S NEAR SOUTHSIDE TO MOVE OUT OF POVERTY BY OFFERING ADULT EDUCATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, WORKFORCE READINESS, AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
11.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
44
Volunteers
252
Highest pay
$174,997, 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

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% 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

    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 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 (4)
  1. $946,491 spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT IN STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MATHEMATICS) TO HELP STUDENTS ACHIEVE GRADE-LEVEL SKILLS AND ENCOURAGE FURTHER EDUCATION. WE ALSO OFFER GENDER-SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER POSITIVE LIFE SKILLS, ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE PHYSICAL WELL-BEING AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, AND ARTS PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENRICH PARTICIPANTS BOTH EMOTIONALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, WE EMPOWER LOW-INCOME YOUTH TO ENHANCE THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND LIFE SKILLS FOR FUTURE SUCCESS. ADDITIONALLY, WE OPERATE ORGANIZED ATHLETIC LEAGUES THAT INTEGRATE EDUCATION AND LIFE SKILLS, SUCH AS THE JOURNEY HOUSE PACKERS FOOTBALL PROGRAM AND THE JOURNEY HOUSE FELIX MANTILLA LITTLE LEAGUE. WE ALSO HAVE BASKETBALL AND SOCCER TEAMS THAT COMPETE IN CITYWIDE LEAGUES.
  2. $280,540 spent. ADULT EDUCATION: THE JOURNEY HOUSE FAMILY LEARNING CENTER EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN MILWAUKEE'S NEAR SOUTHSIDE BY OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, ADULT BASIC SKILLS TRAINING, GED PREPARATION, DIGITAL LITERACY, AND LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP PARTICIPANTS SECURE AND MAINTAIN FAMILY-SUSTAINING EMPLOYMENT. WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE IN-PERSON, HYBRID, AND ONLINE INSTRUCTION IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING, CITIZENSHIP, ADULT BASIC EDUCATION, AND GED PREPARATION IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. ADDITIONALLY, WE OFFER PERSONALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT AND CREATE TAILORED PERSONAL EDUCATION PLANS TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH PARTICIPANT.
  3. $237,544 spent. CAPACITY BUILDING: CAPACITY BUILDING HELPS SUSTAIN HIGH-QUALITY GENERAL OPERATIONS BY PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP SUPPORT, ENSURING THAT JOURNEY HOUSE PROGRAMS CAN OPERATE FULLY, WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND THRIVE WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAMS.
  4. $442,330 spent. WORKFORCE READINESS: OUR THRIVE CAREER PATHWAY AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER ASSISTS LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS IN FINDING FULFILLING EMPLOYMENT AND OFFERS FINANCIAL COACHING. OUR THRIVE INTERNSHIP CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM, WHICH IS AN INTENSIVE INITIATIVE FEATURING MULTI-WEEK TRAINING COURSES AIMED AT PREPARING LOW-INCOME YOUTH AND ADULTS FOR THE WORKFORCE. THIS INCLUDES CAREER PATHWAY TRAINING, SKY BREATH MEDITATION, AND INTERNSHIPS IN VARIOUS FIELDS SUCH AS HEALTHCARE, CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN, HOSPITALITY, AND SPORTS TURF AND LANDSCAPING.AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM: JOURNEY HOUSE COLLABORATES WITH LONGFELLOW SCHOOL IN THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A SECURE, STRUCTURED, AND SUPERVISED AFTER-SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT. OUR PROGRAMS AIM TO ENHANCE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, OFFER ALTERNATIVES TO BEING HOME ALONE, PROVIDE A SAFE HAVEN FROM NEGATIVE INFLUENCES, AND DELIVER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES THAT HELP STUDENTS REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN ACADEMICS, ARTS, AND ATHLETICS.FAMILY ENGAGEMENT: WE PROVIDE A VARIETY OF ENGAGING ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES, INCLUDING LARGE-SCALE AUTUMN AND WINTER CELEBRATIONS SUCH AS THE HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR, THANKSGIVING DINNER, AND WINTER WONDERLAND.CAMPUS HOUSING: OUR CAMPUS HOUSING INITIATIVE AIMS TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR MOTIVATED YOUTH WHO ARE HOMELESS AND AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE. COMMUNITY GARDEN: OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN FOSTERS A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY BY CREATING GARDENS AND ORGANIZING WELLNESS ACTIVITIES. ONE OF OUR NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IS THE TRANSFORMATION OF A VACANT LOT INTO A VIBRANT COMMUNITY GARDEN, COMPLETE WITH A WATER GAZEBO. THIS GAZEBO COLLECTS RAINWATER AND SERVES AS A PEACEFUL GATHERING SPACE FOR NEIGHBORS TO CONNECT AND GROW FOOD TOGETHER.

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 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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 1974.

    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 October 21, 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.