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Passes our checks

Wisconsin Technical College System Foundation Inc

EIN 39-1273103 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM (WTCS) FOUNDATION, INC., SEEKS TO ADVANCE THE WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM, ITS CONSTITUENT TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR CAREER, TECHNICAL AND WORKPLACE EDUCATION. THE FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON PROVIDING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, DISTRIBUTING AND LICENSING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OPERATING AND MANAGING PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS AND SOLICITING AND ACCEPTING GIFTS IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
42.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 75%
Employees
10
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$188,316, interim 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 42.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 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 (3)
  1. $1.3 million spent. WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM FOUNDATION'S INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND PLANNING PROGRAM DEVELOPS AND IMPLEMENTS CURRICULUM DESIGN SOFTWARE AND MATERIALS AND PROVIDES CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND CONSULTING FOR THE WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM (WTCS), WISCONSIN'S TECHNICAL COLLEGES, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.THE WORLDWIDE INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN SYSTEM (WIDS) COMBINES PERFORMANCE-BASED CURRICULUM DESIGN SOFTWARE AND TRAINING WITH PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES TO DELIVER ENGAGING, EFFECTIVE AND INNOVATIVE COURSES, PROGRAMS AND MODULES.
  2. $52,500 spent. WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM FOUNDATION MAKES MISSION-RELATED PRODUCT AND MONETARY GIFTS INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, PROVIDING MATH COURSES TO WISCONSIN ADULTS SEEKING CAREERS IN THE APPRENTICESHIP-BASED TRADES, AND PROVIDING MONETARY GIFTS TO THE WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM IN SUPPORT OF ITS STATEWIDE STUDENT AMBASSADOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND ENHANCED STATEWIDE COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES.
  3. $301 spent. WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM FOUNDATION ACQUIRES AND DEVELOPS VIDEO-BASED COURSES, INTERACTIVE VIDEO COURSEWARE, AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, AND DISTRIBUTES VIDEO TRAINING MATERIALS.

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 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 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 January 1978.

    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.

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.