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Badger Institute Inc

EIN 39-1592727 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH - TO ENGAGE AND ENERGIZE WISCONSINITES AND OTHERS IN DISCUSSIONS AND TIMELY ACTION ON KEY PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES CRITICAL TO THE STATE'S FUTURE, ITS GROWTH AND PROSPERITY. THE INSTITUTE'S RESEARCH AND PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ARE DIRECTED TO IDENTIFY AND PROMOTE PUBLIC POLICIES IN WISCONSIN WHICH ARE FAIR, ACCOUNTABLE AND COST EFFECTIVE.

Income
$867,318
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
18.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
8
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$259,212, president

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

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 March 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 (1)
  1. $758,964 spent. THE ORGANIZATION RESEARCHES PUBLIC POLICY IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AND PREPARES REPORTS AND MAGAZINES WHICH ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE MEDIA, STATE LEGISLATURE, AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. THE ORGANIZATION PRODUCED DOZENS OF ARTICLES, SHORT POLICY BRIEFS AND WHITE PAPERS ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO MAINTAINS A WEBSITE WHICH INCLUDES ALL PUBLICATIONS, COMMENTARY, AND CONTENT THAT HAS BEEN IN THE MEDIA, WWW.BADGERINSTITUTE.ORG. TOPICS ARE WIDE-RANGING AND MAY VARY BUT WE HAVE ADDED NO NEW, ENTIRE PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 2026.

    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 February 1988.

    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.