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Disability Rights Wisconsin Inc

EIN 39-1279037 · Monona, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LEGAL PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN WISCONSIN.

Income
$7.8 million
Spending
$7.6 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
91
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$176,329, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 64% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 September 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. $3.4 million spent. LEGAL PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY (P&A) SYSTEM: EMPLOYS LEGAL MEANS TO PROTECT THE PERSONAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS, AND MENTAL ILLNESS. INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY SERVICES INCLUDE INFO AND REFERRAL, GUIDANCE IN SELF-ADVOCACY, INVESTIGATION, NEGOTIATION, MEDIATION, OR REPRESENTATION IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. THE P&A WORKS TO CREATE POSITIVE SYSTEMIC CHANGES IN PROGRAMS AND POLICIES AFFECTING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. THE P&A OFFERS TRAINING ON A VARIETY OF DISABILITY RELATED TOPICS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND PROFESSIONALS.
  2. $1.7 million spent. THE FAMILY CARE AND IRIS OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM (FCIOP): PROVIDES ADVOCACY TO ADULTS UNDER AGE 60 ENROLLED IN WISCONSIN'S LONG-TERM CARE PROGRAMS. THE STATE OF WISCONSIN CONTRACTS WITH DRW TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH AN INDEPENDENT ADVOCATE.
  3. $1.0 million spent. DISABILITY BENEFIT SPECIALISTS (DBS): DBS LOCATED IN EACH COUNTY AND SERVING TRIBAL NATIONS THROUGHOUT WI HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AGE 18-59 TO UNDERSTAND AND ACCESS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BENEFITS. DBS WORKS WITH PEOPLE TO AVOID COMMON ERRORS BY EXPLAINING BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY, APPEAL OPTIONS, AND DEADLINES, FILLING OUT PAPERWORK, GATHERING DOCUMENTS, AND SUPPORTING LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR THOSE WHO REQUIRE A HEARING. DRW'S DBS ATTORNEY SUPPORT PROVIDES ONGOING TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND CASE OVERSIGHT TO ALL DBSS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 March 1984.

    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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