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Renewal Unlimited Inc

EIN 39-1270955 · Portage, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF RENEWAL UNLIMITED, INC. IS TO PROMOTE THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE COMMUNITIES WE ARE A PART OF BY CREATING INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. RENEWAL UNLIMITED, INC. WAS FORMED TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ASSISTING LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN SAUK, COLUMBIA, DODGE, ADAMS, AND JUNEAU COUNTIES IN WISCONSIN.

Income
$12.6 million
Spending
$9.8 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 91%
Employees
143
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$156,472, 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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 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 (4)
  1. $7.6 million spent. CHILD EDUCATION: RENEWAL UNLIMITED, INC. PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF INFANCY AND ENTRANCE INTO KINDERGARTEN. THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN BOTH A CENTER-BASED SETTING AND IN A HOMEBASED SETTING. FOR THE CENTER-BASED SETTING, CHILDREN ATTEND LICENSED CHILD CARE FACILITIES THAT PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE HEAD START SERVICES. THE CLASSES OPERATE FOR 7 HOURS PER DAY, 4 DAYS PER WEEK. THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO MEET THE INDIVIDUALIZED NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN AND COVER THE AREAS OF GROSS AND FINE MOTOR SKILLS, MATH, SCIENCE, READING, LITERACY, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PRE-WRITING SKILLS. THE HOMEBASED PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES IN THE HOME SETTING OF THE INFANT/CHILD AND HAS A PRIMARY GOAL OF TEACHING THE PARENT TO BECOME THEIR CHILD'S FIRST AND FOREMOST TEACHER. OVERALL, 561 CHILDREN WERE SERVED THROUGH CHILD EDUCATION SERVICES.
  2. $1.5 million spent. HOUSING AND HOUSING REHABILITATION: THROUGH THE HOME PROGRAM, RENEWAL IS ABLE TO PROVIDE A SECOND MORTGAGE TO INCOME ELIGIBLE HOMEBUYERS AT A 0% INTEREST RATE AND THAT IS DEFERRED UNTIL THE HOMEBUYER EITHER SELLS THE PROPERTY OR NO LONGER LIVES IN THE HOME AS THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE. THIS METHOD BASICALLY BUYS DOWN THE PRIMARY MORTGAGE SO THAT THE PAYMENTS ON THE PRIMARY MORTGAGE ARE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THE HOMEBUYER. THROUGH A SUB-CONTRACT WITH CENTRAL WISCONSIN COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL, CURRENT HOMEOWNERS AND POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS WHO MEET INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES CAN HAVE REHABILITATION COMPLETED TO MAKE THE HOMES THEY ARE CURRENTLY LIVING IN OR THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT BUYING MEET MINIMUM HOUSING STANDARDS FOR SAFETY AND HABITABILITY. THE HOUSING COST REDUCTION INITIATIVE (HCRI) PROGRAM OFFERS DOWN PAYMENT AND CLOSING COST ASSISTANCE TO POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS. HOUSING PROGRAMS PROVIDED SERVICES TO 10 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THROUGH OTHER HOUSING PROGRAMS SUCH AS TBRA, HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT, AND COORDINATED ENTRY, INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE HOMELESS OR FACING EVICTION RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WITH SECURITY DEPOSITS AND RENT PAYMENTS. THESE PAYMENTS, ACCOMPANIED WITH CASE MANAGEMENT, HELP TO STABILIZE THE HOUSING FOR THESE CLIENTS. OVERALL, OVER 233 INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES RECEIVED HOUSING SERVICES.
  3. $236,020 spent. FOOD PROGRAMS: RENEWAL UNLIMITED, INC. OFFERS FOOD PROGRAMS THROUGH ITS CHILD EDUCATION PROGRAMS. CHILDREN ENROLLED IN A CENTER BASED PROGRAM RECEIVE A FREE BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SNACK. EVERY MONTH OUR NUTRITION SPECIALIST CREATES A MENU THAT MEETS HEALTH AND NUTRITION GUIDELINES.
  4. $77,038 spent. DISCRETIONARY

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 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 June 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 May 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 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.