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Access to Independence Inc

EIN 39-1240200 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ACCESS TO INDEPENDENCE, INC. IS A NON-PROFIT, CONSUMER CONTROLLED INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER (ILC) THAT PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF SERVICES TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES WITH ALL TYPES OF DISABILITIES IN DANE, COLUMBIA, GREEN, AND DODGE COUNTIES IN SOUTH-CENTRAL WISCONSIN.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
18
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$100,197, executive dir.

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

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 61% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 (4)
  1. $735,285 spent. INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES: DURING 2025, ACCESS TO INDEPENDENCE PROVIDED GOAL DRIVEN SERVICES WITH 234 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. SERVICES RELATED TO HOUSING, SKILLS TRAINING, ADVOCACY, AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY. ADDITIONALLY, 1,195 PEOPLE WERE PROVIDED INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE FOUR-COUNTY SERVICE REGION, AS WELL AS THE AGENCY OFFICE.
  2. $496,698 spent. WISCONSIN PEER SPECIALIST EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE (WISPEI): ACCESS TO INDEPENDENCE CONTINUED TO HOLD THE STATEWIDE CONTRACT WITH THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE TRANING AND CERTIFICATION/RECERTIFICATION OF PEER SPECIALISTS IN WISCONSIN.
  3. $115,518 spent. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AT): ACCESS TO INDEPENCENCE CONTINUED TO PROVIDE ITS AT DEMONSTRATION, LOAN AND TRAINING SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE REGION.
  4. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: ACCESS TO INDEPENDENCE HELD THE SECOND ANNUAL ADAPTIVE GAMING EXPO IN JUNE OF 2025. THIS EVENT HIGHLIGHTED ADAPTIVE VIDEO GAME TECHNOLOGIES AND GAVE ATTENDEES THE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT AND TRY VARIOUS DEVICES.

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 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 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 July 1976.

    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.