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Black River Industries Inc

EIN 39-1658018 · Medford, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

In partnership with the community, to provide people with disabilities opportunities to achieve the highest level of independence. Catholic Charities Bureau Affiliates are organized to maintain, operate and conduct; directly or indirectly; as well as to assist and coordinate activities and Social Services in accordance with the charitable Works and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Works are carried out in accordance with Catholic Social teachings.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$5.2 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 49%
Employees
115
Volunteers
7

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% 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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $2.8 million spent. In 2025, Black River Industries (BRI) served 186 individuals across Taylor, Price, Lincoln, Marathon, and Clark Counties through a variety of programs and support services. Our comprehensive programming includes Vocational Services, Day Services/Community Integration, Residential Services, Supported Employment, Supervised Visits, Parent Education, and Transportation. Transportation services were provided to 108 individuals to support access to employment and community activities. Through our Supported Employment program, 47 individuals received assistance with job development and placement, job coaching, résumé building, and ongoing employment support to promote long-term success in the workforce. BRI's Day Services/Community Integration program served 31 individuals. This program offers meaningful activities designed to enhance quality of life, both at our facility and within the community. The program also includes our Summer Youth Program, serving individuals ages 14-21 during the summer months. Residential services were provided to 105 individuals, focusing on promoting independence, daily living skills, and safe living environments. Additionally, BRI provided supervised visitation services to five individuals to support safe and structured family interactions. In 2025, Black River Industries employed 115 dedicated staff members who support our mission and the individuals we serve.
  2. $2.2 million spent. Work services create opportunities for the people we serve and our staff to work together learning new skills and producing quality products for our communities. BRI contracted with ten local factories and three state of Wisconsin departments to employ 35 people with disabilities and 25 community staff in assembly, packaging, collating, commercial sewing, dry goods packaging, and confidential document shredding jobs. BRI also contracts to maintain five rest areas in Taylor and Rusk counties employing 6 people during the summer months. Another crew of 4 people operate BRI's commercial and residential lawn services. And an additional crew of 4 people maintain the two National Guard Armory locations. BRI is committed to providing an array of skill building jobs that encourage people with disabilities and community staff to excel.
  3. $17,228 spent. Food Services provides a commercial kitchen experience for individuals with disabilities in preparation for community employment. We prepare nutritional meals under contract with the Taylor County Commission on Aging at two Senior Centers in the county, as well as for members of BRI. In 2025 we prepared approximately 7,400 meals to over 500 seniors. This number includes catered meals for the 2025 annual Senior Health and Wellness Fair. We also provided approximately 2,900 hot lunches to clients and staff; and approximately 550 catered meals to local businesses and civic organizations.
  4. $5,156 spent. Transportation services are key to providing quality of life for people with disabilities in rural Wisconsin. BRI has provided door to door transportation to adults with disabilities since 1973 with expansion to senior citizens in 1980 and children in 1990. The BRI fleet of nine buses and one accessible van, logged approximately 299,900 miles in 2025 transporting approximately 400 unduplicated riders to medical appointments, grocery stores, community events, pharmacies, employment, and other essential places. BRI's fleet of buses are purchased with grant funds from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation competitive Section 5310 Grant Program. BRI also utilizes 16 passenger vehicles for in home services, one on one transportation, and meals on wheels delivery. This year, BRI delivered over 21,000 meals to homes and congregate sites this year.

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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 March 1946.

    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.