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Leaven Inc

EIN 39-1572168 · Menasha, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SERVING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN THE TRI-COUNTY AREA (CALUMET, OUTAGAMIE, AND WINNEBAGO COUNTIES) BY: 1) PROVIDING EMERGENCY GOODS AND SERVICES ON A SHORT-TERM BASIS TO NEEDY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR SERVICE BY, OR WHOSE NEEDS CANNOT BE MET ENTIRELY BY EXISTING AGENCIES. 2)PROVIDING A CENTRAL AGENCY FOR REFERRAL AND/PR DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS AND SERVICES THAT WOULD HELP ELIMINATE DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS WHILE REDUCING FRAUDULENT USE OF HELPING SERVICES THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION FILE ON AGENCIES, REFERRALS, SERVICES, AND USERS. 3) PROVIDING A FLOW OF INFORMATION AMONG HELPING AGENCIES AS TO THE EVER- CHANGING MATTERS OF SERVICES AVAILABLE AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. 4) ANALYZING USE OF SERVICES AND POLICIES OF AGENCIES TO HELP ADVOCATE JUSTICE FOR THE NEEDY.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
34 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
10
Volunteers
128
Highest pay
$100,254, 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 34.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 (3)
  1. $1.4 million spent. PROVIDING EMERGENCY GOODS AND SERVICES ON A SHORT-TERM BASIS TO NEEDY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR SERVICE BY, OR WHOSE NEEDS CANNOT BE MET ENTIRELY BY EXISTING AGENCIES.
  2. $63,279 spent. THE LCRC (LEAVEN COMMUNITY RESOURCE PROGRAM) INCLUDES 14 PARTNERING AGENCIES UNDER ONE ROOF. THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND RESOURCE CENTER OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES AND SUPPORT. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE PARTNERING AGENCIES: ENERGY SERVICES, INC., CATHOLIC CHARITIES, CASA HISPANA, FIRST 5 FOX VALLEY, UMOS, FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE, CHILD CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL, CHRISTINE ANN DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICES, FOX VALLEY VETERANS COUNCIL, LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN, SAFE FAMILIES, CHILDRENS WISCONSIN, UW-MADISON EXTENSION,SND HEADSUP FOX CITIES.
  3. $21,244 spent. PAY IT FORWARD PROGRAM IS A NO-FEE, NO-COST LOAN PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WHO WOULDN'T QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE TRADITIONAL CHARITY MODEL. A CONTINGENCY TO THE LOAN IS NO-COST BUDGET COUNSELING PROVIDED BY FISC. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO HELP PARTICIPANTS LEARN TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS AND BUILD FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY. LOANS PAYMENTS WILL BE RECYCLED TO FUND NEW LOANS, ENSURING GREATER UTILIZATION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S RESOURCES AND ENABLING IT TO EXTEND ITS REACH TO MORE HOUSEHOLDS. DURING 2025, THE ORGANIZATION PAID OUT 0 IN LOANS AND RECEIVED 557 IN REPAYMENTS.

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 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 May 1987.

    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.

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