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Pillars Inc

EIN 39-1582471 · Appleton, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FROM HOMELESSNESS TO COMING HOME, PILLARS PROVIDES SHELTER, SUPPORT, AND SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$9.0 million
Spending
$5.9 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
93
Volunteers
700
Highest pay
$120,131, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 25

    14 of 14 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 September 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)
  1. $770,527 spent. AFFORDABLE HOUSING - PROVIDING A STRONG, STABLE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS THROUGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO THRIVE. HOUSING STOCK IS TYPICALLY DEVELOPED THROUGH PURCHASE OR DONATION OF HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY; REHABILITATION OF HOMES USING EXTENSIVE INVOLVEMENT OF COMMUNITY BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTEERS; AND RENTAL OF 152 UNITS AT A RATE THAT IS AFFORDABLE TO THE TENANTS (I.E. RENT IS SET AT AN AFFORDABLE LEVEL PROPORTIONAL TO TENANT INCOME). IN 2025 WE INHERITED 10 RENTAL PROPERTIES COMPRISING 20 ADDITIONAL UNITS OF HOUSING.
  2. $1.3 million spent. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING - DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF TRANSITIONAL AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. 149 ADULTS AND CHILDREN RECEIVED QUALITY, STABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PLUS INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TO MAXIMIZE SELF-SUFFICIENCY, INDEPENDENCE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE. A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS ENSURE THAT THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF PARTICIPANTS ARE ADDRESSED, PROVIDING A SENSE OF DIGNITY AND PERSONAL SUCCESS.
  3. $2.9 million spent. CRISIS HOUSING - PROVIDING SAFE, TEMPORARY SHELTER TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. 135 PARTICIPANTS PER NIGHT WERE PROVIDED SHELTER AND OFFERED CASE MANAGEMENT, ADDICTION RECOVERY, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, AND OTHER SUPPORTS TO ADDRESS BARRIERS TO HOUSING. AN EXPANDED STREET OUTREACH TEAM CONNECTED WITH 201 PEOPLE LIVING OUTDOORS OR IN THEIR VEHICLES, A 50 PERCENT INCREASE OVER 2024.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 October 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.

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.