Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEEKING TO PUT GOD'S LOVE INTO ACTION, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD HOMES, COMMUNITIES AND HOPE TO REALIZE OUR VISION OF A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE HAS A DECENT PLACE TO LIVE. MILWAUKEE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ADHERES TO A STRICT NON-PROSELYTIZING POLICY AND WILL NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE ON THE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONDITION THAT PEOPLE MUST ADHERE TO OR CONVERT TO A PARTICULAR FAITH OR LISTEN AND RESPOND TO MESSAGING DESIGNED TO INDUCE CONVERSION TO A PARTICULAR FAITH.
- Income
- $22.7 million
- Spending
- $20.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 13.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 36%
- Employees
- 155
- Volunteers
- 2,725
- Highest pay
- $214,247, chief executive officer
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
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 30% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 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 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 (3)
- $13.9 million spent. FOR 40 YEARS, MILWAUKEE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAS REVITALIZED NEIGHBORHOODS BY PROVIDING SAFE, DECENT AND AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR HARDWORKING FAMILIES. OUR COMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEERS HAS BUILT, RENOVATED AND REPAIRED OVER 1,500 HOMES.
- $3.4 million spent. MILWAUKEE HABITAT RESTORES ACCEPT DONATIONS OF NEW AND SALEABLE USED BUILDING MATERIALS AND HOME FURNISHINGS, MOST OF WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE PLACED IN A LANDFILL. SOME MATERIALS ARE USED TO BUILD AND RENOVATE HOMES AND THE REST IS SOLD TO THE PUBLIC AT 50-70% OFF THE RETAIL PRICE. THIS YEAR, THE NET PROFITS FROM THE MILWAUKEE HABITAT RESTORES PROVIDED ENOUGH INCOME TO BUILD TWO HOMES.
- $342,561 spent. HOME PRESERVATION PROGRAM: OUR HOME PRESERVATION PROGRAM IS AN OUTREACH INITIATIVE THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME HOMEOWNERS, INCLUDING VETERANS AND SENIORS, WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN THEIR HOMES BECAUSE OF AGE, DISABILITY OR FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES. WE PARTNER WITH FAMILIES TO HELP THEM RECLAIM THEIR HOMES WITH PRIDE AND DIGNITY. THE PROGRAM ALLOWS FAMILIES TO STAY IN THEIR HOME AND AVOID THE UNCERTAINTY, TRAUMA AND EXPENSE OF MOVING. PROJECTS CONSIST OF INTERIOR AND/OR EXTERIOR REPAIRS INTENDED TO ALLEVIATE CRITICAL HEALTH, LIFE AND SAFETY ISSUES OR CODE VIOLATIONS. VOLUNTEER TEAMS WORK ALONG WITH SUBCONTRACTORS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MILWAUKEE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY STAFF MEMBERS TO COMPLETE REPAIRS.
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
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 June 2025.
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 January 1987.
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.