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Community Advocates Inc

EIN 39-1249426 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak37 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, INC. IS TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH ADVOCACY AND SERVICES TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS SO THEY MAY LIVE IN DIGNITY.

Income
$16.2 million
Spending
$16.2 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 87%
Employees
194
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$209,008, 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

Weak: 37 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (4)
  1. $3.7 million spent. FOUNDED IN 2008, THE PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE ADDRESSES THE ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY THROUGH POLICY ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES.PPI'S WORK EMPHASIZES EXPANDING ECONOMIC AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, IMPROVING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING, PREVENTING TOBACCO AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE, AND PROMOTING MENTAL WELL-BEING AMONG MILWAUKEE'S YOUTH, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES. IN 2024: PPI'S CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMMING EXPANDED WITH THE FIRST FULL YEAR OF MILWAUKEE INTERVENTION SERVICES AND THE STRONGER FAMILIES MILWAUKEE PILOT PROGRAM. STAFF PROVIDED STRENGTH-BASED CASE MANAGEMENT, PEER SUPPORT, AND GROUP AND FAMILY THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS TO 46 FAMILIES AT RISK OF FORMAL CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES INVOLVEMENT. PPI'S BRIGHTER FUTURES INITIATIVE MILWAUKEE AND STAY STRONG MKE PROVIDED LIFE-SKILLS BUILDING PROGRAMS TO 1,843 YOUTH TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE MISUSE.
  2. $3.4 million spent. COMMUNITY ADVOCATES' BASIC NEEDS AND COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, AND SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE LOW-INCOME OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. IN 2024: 12,417 INDIVIDUALS SOUGHT RESOURCES, ASSESSMENTS, AND SUPPORT FOR BASIC NEEDS DURING DAILY WALK-IN HOURS AT OUR LOVELL STREET BUILDING. 5,917 LANDLORDS AND TENANTS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE RESOLVING RENTAL HOUSING ISSUES THROUGH OUR HOUSING DEPARTMENT. 6,659 RESIDENTS AT RISK OF EVICTION OR HOMELESSNESS ACCESSED SERVICES THROUGH THE MILWAUKEE RENTAL HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER. 97 FAMILIES WERE SUPPORTED WITH ASSESSMENT, CASE MANAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, AND FLEXIBLE HOUSING-RELATED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH OUR HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM. 374 ADULTS AND 923 CHILDREN RECEIVED INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES THROUGH THE SIEMER CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO INCREASE HOUSING, SCHOOL, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY.
  3. $1.7 million spent. COMMUNITY ADVOCATES' UTILITIES PROGRAMS HELP LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AVOID DISCONNECTION AND MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL UTILITY SERVICES. IN 2024: 26,186 ENERGY ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS WERE PROCESSED, HELPING FAMILIES SECURE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND PAYMENT PLANS.
  4. $6.0 million spent. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES APPLYING FOR SSI/SSDI AND OFFER PROTECTIVE PAYEE SERVICES TO THOSE NEEDING HELP MANAGING THEIR FINANCES. IN 2024: 85 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED PROTECTIVE PAYEE AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES.HOP DELIVERS PERSON-CENTERED, HOUSING-FOCUSED OUTREACH TO INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND OTHER DISABILITIES WHO ARE LIVING UNSHELTERED. ADVOCATES ASSESS CLIENTS AND HELP STABILIZE THEIR HEALTH AND HOUSING SITUATIONS. IN 2024: HOP SERVED 21 INDIVIDUALS LIVING ON THE STREETS OR IN PLACES NOT MEANT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.THE FSC OFFERS SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING, PERSONAL CARE ITEMS, AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO HELP FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FIND AND SECURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IN 2024: 70 LOW-INCOME FAMILIES RECEIVED SHELTER AND SUPPORT THROUGH THE FSC.AUTUMN WEST IS A LOW-BARRIER HOUSING REFUGE FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND SEVERE, PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS. THIS ALTERNATIVE TO EMERGENCY SHELTER EMBRACES HOUSING FIRST AND HARM REDUCTION PRINCIPLES, OFFERING SHORT-TERM HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. IN 2024: 35 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED. 74% WERE SAFELY AND STABLY HOUSED AT AUTUMN WEST OR TRANSITIONED TO PERMANENT HOUSING.THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO 101 MILWAUKEE RESIDENTS IDENTIFIED AS CHRONICALLY HOMELESS AND LIVING WITH A DISABILITY. SERVICES USE BEST PRACTICES INCLUDING TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING, AND HARM REDUCTION TO PROMOTE HOUSING STABILITY.

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 November 6, 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 January 1979.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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