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Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Inc

EIN 39-1345572 · Fitchburg, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADVANCING COMPREHENSIVE AND TRANSFORMATIONAL SUPPORT OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE.

Income
$25.2 million
Spending
$20.4 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 72%
Employees
118
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$165,818, 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: 66 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% 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 September 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

    12 of 12 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 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 (4)
  1. $9.8 million spent. TEACH - THE T.E.A.C.H. EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIP AND REWARD STIPEND PROGRAM PROMOTES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CHILD CARE WORKFORCE THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS THAT OFFER FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PAY MOST OF THE COSTS OF TUITION, BOOKS, TRAVEL, RELEASE TIME, AND A BONUS AFTER THE STUDENT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES A SCHOLARSHIP CONTRACT, IN EXCHANGE FOR A COMMITMENT BY THE STUDENT TO REMAIN IN THEIR JOB FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME. WECA ADMINISTERS THIS PROGRAM UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF) WITH FEDERAL FUNDS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (CCDF). DURING THE YEAR, WECA SERVED 978 EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS THROUGH THE T.E.A.C.H. PROGRAM. THE R.E.W.A.R.D. PROGRAM IS A COMPENSATION INITIATIVE THAT AWARDS STIPENDS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS BASED ON EDUCATION ALREADY ATTAINED AND YEARS WORKED IN THE FIELD. WECA ADMINISTERS THIS PROGRAM UNDER CONTRACT WITH DCF WITH FEDERAL FUNDS FROM CCDF. WECA PROVIDED 12,101 STIPENDS THIS YEAR THROUGH THE STATEWIDE REWARD PROGRAM AND 984 STIPENDS THROUGH THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE WORKFORCE STIPEND PROGRAM.
  2. $3.7 million spent. SHARED SERVICES - THE WISCONSIN EARLY EDUCATION SHARED SERVICES NETWORK (WEESSN) OFFERS FREE, COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT TO CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE BUSINESS COACHING, TECH SOLUTIONS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE EDUCATOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP), AND FOOD SYSTEMS INFORMATION. PROVIDERS BENEFIT FROM CUSTOMIZABLE TEMPLATES, TAX GUIDES, DISCOUNTING PURCHASING, AND A DIGITAL HIRING PLATFORM. WEESSN ALSO FEATURES A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER POOL IN SELECTED REGIONS, A STATEWIDE LISTSERV, TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, AND MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS. WITH 2,866 PROGRAMS ENROLLED, WEESSN OFFERS STATEWIDE SUPPORT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, HELPING PROVIDERS ENHANCE SUSTAINABLITY, IMPROVE QUALITY, AND BETTER SERVE STAFF AND FAMILIES.
  3. $3.1 million spent. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM - THE WISCONSIN EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION'S (WECA) CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM HELPS PAY FOR NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS SERVED TO CHILDREN IN REGULATED FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME SETTINGS. THE PROGRAM PAYS A FIXED AMOUNT FOR EACH MEAL AND SNACK SERVED THAT MEETS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S (USDA) STANDARDS. FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE TRAINED IN PROGRAM RULES AND PROPER NUTRITION FOR CHILDREN. DURING THE YEAR, WECA SERVED 555 FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT WISCONSIN.
  4. $2.7 million spent. OTHER DIRECT SERVICES - PROVIDES A VARIETY OF OTHER DIRECT SERVICE PROJECTS INCLUDING A FARM TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROJECT IN MILWAUKEE GEARED AT SUPPORTING SOUND NUTRITION AT PARTICIPATING PROGRAMS AND OTHER ONSITE COACHING/MENTORING SERVICES FOR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS.POLICY AND ADVOCACY - PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR GRASS ROOTS ADVOCACY COHORT, DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFANT/TODDLER POLICY PLATFORM FOR THE STATE WORKING WITH A STATE COLLABORATIVE TEAM AND ADVOCATING FOR THIS POLICY AGENDA, AND EFFORTS TO GAIN WORKFORCE FEEDBACK TO OUR NATIONAL ASSOCIATION'S PROFESSIONAL FRAMEWORK CALLED POWER TO THE PROFESSION. CONFERENCE AND TRAINING - PROVIDES CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES AND CUSTOMIZED TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE THROUGHOUT WISCONSIN. EARLY HEAD START (EHS) WECA RECEIVED NOTICE OF AWARD TO PROVIDE EHS SERVICES TO 144 CHILDREN (0-3) ENROLLED IN 8 PARTNER EHS/CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN KEY ZIP CODES IN MILWAUKEE EFFECTIVE 8/1/25. WECA IS THE OHS GRANTEE AND CONTRACTS WITH THESE 8 PROGRAMS. THE MISSION OF EHS IS TO PROMOTE THE PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND PREGNANT WOMEN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. IT SUPPORTS FAMILIES BY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE, HIGH-QUALITY, AND SAFE SERVICES THAT ENHANCE SCHOOL READINESS AND EMPOWER PARENTS IN THEIR ROLES AS PRIMARY CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERS. THE WECA EHS MODEL IS A CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP MODEL. WECA SERVES AS THE FISCAL AGENT, CONTRACTS SERVICES WITH CHILD CARE PARTNERS, ENSURES EVERY EHS PARTNER IS ENROLLED IN WECA WEESSN SERVICES AND, REFERS PROGRAMS TO ALL APPROPRIATE WECA SERVICES NOT INCLUDING THE WECA FOOD PROGRAM. THE PRE-LICENSING PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE, PERSONALIZED SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS LOOKING TO OPEN-LICENSED FAMILY OR GROUP CHILDCARE PROGRAMS IN WISCONSIN'S NORTHERN AND SOUTH EAST DCF LICENSING REGIONS, COVERING 19 COUNTIES. TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS ASSIST WITH LICENSING REGULATIONS, SPACE REQUIREMENTS AND BUILDING CODES, POLICY, AND STAFFING, OFFERING IN-PERSON VISITS, BUSINESS RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT GROUPS TO ENSURE SUCCESS IN OPENING REGULATED CHILDCARE. THERE ARE 544 TOTAL INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY IN THE PRE LICENSING PROCESS. 14 IN THE NORTHERN REGION AND 530 IN THE SOUTH EAST REGION WITH SERVICES AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH AND HMONG.

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 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 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 February 1980.

    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.