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Wood County Head Start Inc

EIN 39-1319761 · Wisc Rapids, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WOOD COUNTY HEAD START PROVIDES HEAD START SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, RECOGNIZING AND RESPECTING CULTURAL AND INDIVIDUAL DIVERSITY.HEAD START SUPPORTS/PROMOTES CHILDREN AND FAMILY GROWTH AND EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION, PARENT INVOLVEMENT, AND HEALTH AWARENESS, INTEGRATING COMMUNITY RESOURCES.TEACHING CHILDREN THAT LEARNING CAN BE FUN AND HELPING THEM FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES ARE KEY INGREDIENTS OF THE HEAD START PROGRAM. CHILDREN ARE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND GROW AT THEIR OWN PACE.OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM EMPHASIZES PREPARING CHILDREN TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR SCHOOL CAREERS AS WELL AS SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE. WE ARE A FAMILY-CENTERED PROGRAM WHICH FOLLOWS THE PRINCIPLE THAT CHILDREN DEVELOP IN THE CONTEXT OF THEIR FAMILY. THEREFORE, WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
126
Volunteers
469
Highest pay
$111,600, 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

Weak: 48 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 90% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $4.2 million spent. WOOD COUNTY HEAD START PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES DURING THE YEAR. HEAD START PROVIDED FAMILIES WITH EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND ALSO ADDRESSED IMPORTANT ISSUES SUCH AS NUTRITION, MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PROMOTED PARENT INVOLVEMENT. CHILDREN LEARNED THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE. THE DEDICATED STAFF AT WOOD COUNTY HEAD START PROVIDED SERVICES TO DIVERSE GROUPS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS AND DISABILITIES. WOOD COUNTY HEAD START HAS BEEN GUIDED AND GOVERNED BY DIRECTORS THAT REPRESENT VARIED INTERESTS IN WOOD COUNTY.

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 April 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.

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.