Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER THOSE AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH.
- Income
- $3.8 million
- Spending
- $4.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 65%
- Reserves
- 4.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 51%
- Employees
- 70
- Volunteers
- 91
- Highest pay
- $149,965, executive director
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
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1565% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- $1.2 million spent. SHELTER AND SUPPORT - DAIS OPERATES THE ONLY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOMICIDE PREVENTION SHELTER IN DANE COUNTY. THE SHELTER IS STAFFED 24 HOURS A DAY AND DURING THEIR STAY, RESIDENTS ARE OFFERED CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, 24-HOUR SUPPORT FROM SHELTER ADVOCATES, FOOD, TOILETRIES, AND CLOTHING. THE DAIS SHELTER ALLOWS FOR A MAXIMUM STAY OF 45 DAYS WHICH HAS PROVEN TO BE VITAL TO A VICTIM'S ABILITY TO DEVELOP LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE PLANS AND NETWORKING WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THEIR FUTURE. OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING THAT WHILE IN SHELTER, RESIDENTS RECEIVE THE SUPPORT, INFORMATION, COMMUNITY RESOURCE REFERRALS AND ASSISTANCE IN ACCESSING SERVICES AND RESOURCES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES.
- $818,203 spent. CRISIS INTERVENTION: INCLUDES THE 24-HOUR HELP LINE, 24-HOUR TEXT LINE, AND LEAP (LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVOCATE PARTNERSHIP).THE HELP LINE IS A FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH CLIENTS CAN ACCESS ALL DAIS SERVICES. THE HELP LINE, ACCESSED VIA PHONE, IS STAFFED BY VOLUNTEERS AND PAID ADVOCATES WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT, INFORMATION, REFERRALS TO OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES, AND SAFETY PLANNING. DURING THE PANDEMIC DAIS EXCUSED VOLUNTEERS FROM THE BUILDING AND INTERNAL STAFF TOOK ON ADDED RESPONSIBILITIES TO SUPPORT THE FUNCTIONING OF THE HELP LINE. LEAP (LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVOCATE PARTNERSHIP) - THE LEAP PARTNERSHIP QUICKLY CONNECTS VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE CITY OF MADISON WITH THE ADVOCACY SERVICES PROVIDED BY DAIS. BECAUSE OF VARIOUS BARRIERS, MANY VICTIMS DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF VICTIM ADVOCACY SERVICES AFTER A DOMESTIC ABUSE ARREST. THE LEAP PROGRAM IS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN THE MADISON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DAIS FOCUSED ON REACHING OUT TO VICTIMS TO OVERCOME THESE BARRIERS AND OFFER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES: THE GOAL OF DAIS COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS ARE TO DECREASE ISOLATION AND PROVIDE SAFETY PLANNING, SUPPORT, INFORMATION, REFERRALS, AND ASSISTANCE TO ACCESS COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS TO VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES ENCOMPASS SUPPORT GROUPS, SHORT-TERM RESPONSE SERVICES, AND CASE MANAGEMENT FOR COMMUNITY CLIENTS. CASE MANAGEMENT FOR COMMUNITY CLIENTS PROVIDES CLIENTS WITH FACE-TO-FACE EMERGENCY SAFETY PLANNING WITH TRAINED ADVOCATES, BASIC RESTRAINING ORDER ASSISTANCE, HOUSING INFORMATION, SUPPORT, REFERRALS TO OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND ASSISTANCE ACCESSING COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES. MEETINGS CAN BE HELD AT DAIS AS WELL AS AT SAFE, CONFIDENTIAL PARTNERSHIP SITES ACROSS DANE COUNTY INCLUDING HOSPITALS, CLINICS, LIBRARIES, OR OTHER HUMAN SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS.SUPPORT GROUP - DAIS SUPPORT GROUPS HELP MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY DECREASE THEIR ISOLATION, INCREASE THEIR SAFETY, AND CONNECT WITH OTHER DAIS SURVIVORS. DAIS TYPICALLY OFFERS TWO WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR ANYONE WHO IDENTIFIES AS A FEMALE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. ADDITIONALLY, OTHER GROUPS MAY BE OFFERED BASED ON CLIENT INTEREST INCLUDING ONE FOR WOMEN OVER THE AGE OF 50, ONE FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS, AND ONE FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE SURVIVORS. DAIS ALSO MAY ALSO OFFER SUPPORT GROUPS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF SURVIVORS.
- $300,063 spent. LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES - THE DAIS LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM OFFERS SAFETY PLANNING, SUPPORT, INFORMATION, AND RESOURCES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE AREAS OF FAMILY LAW, CIVIL RESTRAINING ORDERS, CRIMINAL LAW, IMMIGRATION LAW, AND CHILD ABUSE. LEGAL ADVOCATES ARE NOT LAWYERS AND DO NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE. THE WORK OF THE LEGAL ADVOCATES MAY INCLUDE ASSISTING CLIENTS IN FILING FOR RESTRAINING ORDERS, DEVELOPING SAFETY PLANS WITH CLIENTS, PREPARING CLIENTS FOR INJUNCTION HEARINGS, PROVIDING SUPPORT TO CLIENTS DURING HEARINGS, AND ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS WITHIN THE CRIMINAL, CIVIL AND FAMILY COURT SYSTEMS OR WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS.
- $231,757 spent. PREVENTION, OUTREACH, EDUCATION & TRAINING: DAIS OFFERS COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND SKILLS-BASED TRAINING, WORKING THROUGHOUT THE DANE COUNTY COMMUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PROMOTE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. THE CAPE (COMMUNITY AWARENESS PREVENTION EDUCATION) PROGRAM OFFERS WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS AND TRAININGS TAILORED FOR SPECIFIC GROUPS INCLUDING COMMUNITY GROUPS, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS. IN ADDITION, THIS PROGRAM HELPS TO ENSURE THAT THE ORGANIZATION'S OUTREACH EFFORTS TO BOTH THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE AND TO VICTIMS WHO MAY NEED SERVICES ARE COORDINATED AND COMPREHENSIVE. DAIS ALSO FACILITATES PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAMMING IN VARIOUS SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY BASED SETTINGS. MEN ENCOURAGING NON-VIOLENT STRENTH (MENS) CLUBS PROVIDE ADOLESCENT MEN WITH A SAFE SPACE TO DECONSTRUCT THE MANY MIXED MESSAGES ABOUT MASCULINITY THAT YOUNG MEN RECEIVE. DAIS RECOGNIZES THAT STATISTICALLY MOST BATTERERS ARE MEN, BUT MOST MEN ARE NOT BATTERERS. MENS CLUB SEEKS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG MEN TO IDENTIFY FOR THEMSELVES THE KIND OF MEN THEY WISH TO BE IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS, RECOGNIZING THAT HEALTHY STRONG MEN ARE NOT VIOLENT. MENS CLUB ALSO GIVES THE YOUTH IN THE PROGRAM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN BYSTANDER INTERVENTION SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME LEADERS IN THE ANTI-VIOLENCE MOVEMENT WITH THEIR PEERS, THEIR SCHOOLS AND THEIR COMMUNITY.
- $115,860 spent. CHILDREN'S SERVICES: THE DAIS CHILDREN'S PROGRAM OFFERS PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN RESIDING IN THE SHELTER AND FOR CHILDREN FROM THE COMMUNITY WHOSE PARENTS ARE UTILIZING OTHER DAIS SERVICES. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, ABOUT HALF OF OUR SHELTER RESIDENTS ARE CHILDREN AND MOST ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 6. THE PURPOSE OF CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING IS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN FROM VIOLENT HOMES WITH PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SAFETY, STRUCTURE AND CONSISTENCY, OPPORTUNITIES TO PROCESS THEIR FEELINGS THROUGH PLAY AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES, EXPERIENCE WITH POSITIVE DISCIPLINE TECHNIQUES, AND TO EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICE STRATEGIES FOR SELF-REGULATION AND COPING. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES RECREATIONAL GROUPS, AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT GROUPS. PARENTING SUPPORT AND PARENT/CHILD BONDING ACTIVITIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO PARENTS WHO ARE UTILIZING DAIS SERVICES IN ORDER TO AID IN HEALING THE PARENT-CHILD BOND.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1977.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.