Advocates of Ozaukee Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission is to end domestic and sexual violence through education, prevention and intervention activities.
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $1.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 67%
- Employees
- 26
- Volunteers
- 117
- Highest pay
- $97,423, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $761,567 spent. The shelter is staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and provides emergency shelter, food and transportation, crisis hotline counseling, mental health services including individual counseling/therapy, case management including legal advocacy, transitional living, support group counseling, accompaniment to hospitals for medical examinations, and other services to those domestic violence and sexual assault victims in need. Advocates operates the only shelter and program for domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Ozaukee County, a mixed rural and urban area; however, our clients come from Ozaukee County as well as the Greater Milwaukee area.
- $186,955 spent. Advocates has always believed that children are the silent victims of domestic violence in their homes. For that reason, Advocates created a trauma informed comprehensive program to support children whether they are in shelter or in the community. Children have their own advocate who works with them and the family to discuss their fears and what they need to start feeling safe again. The program includes one on one counseling, if desired, two childrens groups a year, and a strong program in all Ozaukee County schools to provide information and prevention strategies to children. Advocates also works with children who have experienced sexual assault and provides all the above services to them and their family.
- $477,516 spent. The Wisconsin Department of Justice awarded a grant to Advocates to begin a Sexual Assault Victim Services program in 2002. Advocates became the Sexual Assault service provider for Ozaukee County. Since that time the sexual assault program has grown significantly through additional funding from local foundations and corporations. The program includes prevention programs to children and teens, intervention services, medical and legal accompaniment, protective parent advocacy for child victims and counseling.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1981.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.