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Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation

EIN 39-1555465 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WISCONSIN TRUST ACCOUNT FOUNDATION WORKS WITH CIVIL LEGAL AID ORGANIZATIONS IN WISCONSIN TO INCREASE ACCESS TO JUSTICE. WE OVERSEE FUNDS AND INVEST IN SERVICES AND PROJECTS TO HELP PEOPLE RESOLVE LEGAL PROBLEMS.

Income
$12.8 million
Spending
$9.7 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
12.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
5
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$190,558, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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, 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 (2)
  1. $5.7 million spent. DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES GRANTS - WISTAF'S LONGEST-STANDING GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS A RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FOR WISCONSINITES WITH LIMITED INCOMES, HELPING THEM TO RESOLVE MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT CREATE BARRIERS TO ACHIEVING PERSONAL SAFETY, FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, AND COMMUNITY STABILITY. THE FOUNDATION MADE DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES GRANTS TO SEVENTEEN NON-PROFIT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDER AGENCIES TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH CIVIL LEGAL NEEDS IN AREAS SUCH AS FAMILY, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, DISABILITY, AND CONSUMER LAW. NO REVENUES ARE DERIVED DIRECTLY FROM THESE ACTIVITIES. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO ADMINISTER THE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES GRANT PROGRAMS ARE FUNDED BY THE INTEREST ON LAWYERS TRUST ACCOUNTS (IOLTA) PROGRAM (IN ACCORDANCE WITH WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT RULES CHAPTER 13), AND PORTIONS OF OTHER REVENUE SOURCES BASED ON A WRITTEN COST ALLOCATION POLICY/CALCULATION. DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES GRANTS - WISTAF'S LONGEST-STANDING GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS A RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FOR WISCONSINITES WITH LIMITED INCOMES, HELPING THEM TO RESOLVE MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT CREATE BARRIERS TO ACHIEVING PERSONAL SAFETY, FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, AND COMMUNITY STABILITY. THE FOUNDATION MADE DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES GRANTS TO SEVENTEEN NON-PROFIT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDER AGENCIES TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH CIVIL LEGAL NEEDS IN AREAS SUCH AS FAMILY, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, DISABILITY, AND CONSUMER LAW. NO REVENUES ARE DERIVED DIRECTLY FROM THESE ACTIVITIES. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO ADMINISTER THE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES GRANT PROGRAMS ARE FUNDED BY THE INTEREST ON LAWYERS TRUST ACCOUNTS (IOLTA) PROGRAM (IN ACCORDANCE WITH WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT RULES CHAPTER 13), AND PORTIONS OF OTHER REVENUE SOURCES BASED ON A WRITTEN COST ALLOCATION POLICY/CALCULATION.
  2. $3.7 million spent. CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES (STATE/FEDERAL) - WISTAF CONTRACTED WITH THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF) TO ADMINISTER SUBCONTRACTS WITH NONPROFIT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDER AGENCIES TO: ASSIST TANF-ELIGIBLE CLIENTS WITH CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND/OR SEXUAL ABUSE AND PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES IN CIVIL MATTERS FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO RECOVER FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 January 1987.

    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.