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Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance Inc

EIN 39-1393389 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE HABITAT FOR BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE THROUGH LAND ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$8.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
17.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
26
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$97,250, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 83% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 149% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • 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 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)
  1. $688,461 spent. WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES: SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE (SOWBA) ACTIVELY PROTECTS, RESTORES, AND MANAGES NEARLY 3,000 ACRES OF LAND. IN DECEMBER 2024, SOWBA PURCHASED 348 ACRES OF LAND IN DANE COUNTY WHICH WILL BECOME THE ORGANIZATION'S FOURTH SANCTUARY. AT OUR THREE EXISTING SANCTUARIES (FAIR MEADOWS, FAVILLE GROVE, AND GOOSE POND) WE CONTINUE PERFORMING HIGH-QUALITY HABITAT CONSERVATION, INCLUDING PRAIRIE PLANTING, NATIVE SEED COLLECTION (FROM 400+ NATIVE SPECIES), AND PRESCRIBED BURNS. WE HOSTED 10 SUMMER INTERNS AND RAN IMPACTFUL VOLUNTEER CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS LIKE MONARCH BUTTERFLY TAGGING, NEST BOX MONITORING, WILDLIFE SURVEYS, AND MUCH MORE. COUNTLESS VISITORS ENJOYED THE OUTDOORS AT OUR SANCTUARIES. WE MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST STANDARDS FOR EXCELLENCE AND LAND CONSERVATION PERMANENCE AS A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED LAND TRUST, A MARK OF DISTINCTION.
  2. $212,089 spent. EDUCATION: SOWBA HAS TWO FULL-TIME EDUCATORS ON OUR STAFF WHO TAUGHT WEEKLY IN ABOUT 14 CLASSROOMS SPANNING KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH GRADE. WE ALSO WORK WITH ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AT LOCAL COMMUNITY CENTERS. OUR PARTNERSHIPS ARE WITH ORGANIZATIONS SERVING GROUPS WITH MORE THAN HALF OF THE KIDS BEING PEOPLE OF COLOR OR FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. OUR FUN, HANDS-ON LESSONS GET KIDS RUNNING, EXPLORING, AND THINKING LIKE SCIENTISTS. LESSONS AND PODCAST EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR FREE! WE ALSO PROVIDED MANY ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS LIKE BIRDING 101 AND BIRDING BY EAR (FOR PEOPLE OF ALL VISUAL ABILITIES) IN ADDITION TO A VARIETY OF FIELD TRIPS WELCOMING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, BACKGROUNDS AND ABILITIES.
  3. $145,377 spent. ADVOCACY: ALONG WITH ITS MEMBERS, SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE SUPPORTED MEANINGFUL CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND ADVOCATED WIDELY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES THROUGH A BLOG, NEWSLETTER, EMAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITE, AND MORE. WE PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC OUTREACH THROUGH HYBRID (IN PERSON, STREAMED ONLINE) PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. WE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO IMPROVE REPRESENTATION IN CONSERVATION AND ACCESS TO NATURE FOR BIPOC, LGBTQ+, AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. WE COORDINATED MULTIPLE VOLUNTEER-LED CITIZEN SCIENCE EFFORTS ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING BALD EAGLE NEST WATCH, NOW ESTABLISHED IN OVER HALF OF THE COUNTIES AROUND WISCONSIN. WE ALSO PROMOTED BIRD-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUR BIRD-WINDOW COLLISION MONITORING AND BIRD-WINDOW COLLISION PREVENTION OUTREACH PROGRAMS. IN FEBRUARY 2024, MIDDLETON PASSED A BIRD-SAFE GLASS ORDINANCE THAT MATCHED THE ONE UPHELD BY THE CITY OF MADISON. SOWBA ALSO COORDINATES MONTHLY MEETINGS FOR A COALITION OF BIRD AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS TO BETTER IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN OUR COLLECTIVE APPROACH AND WORK TO BETTER ADVOCATE FOR BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1981.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.