Challenge Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide services that support people facing challenges to living and working in the community. 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
- $5.4 million
- Spending
- $5.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 94%
- Employees
- 168
- Volunteers
- 5
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
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 67% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% 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 24% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $2.5 million spent. The Residential Services Program at the Challenge Center is designed to provide each person with the level of support needed to enjoy safe and successful community living. A total of 8 residences, with private rooms for all residents served, are located in neighborhoods throughout the city of Superior, WI. Each residence is designed to provide a level of care that meets the needs of the individuals in the home. Six of the homes are Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF's) providing for intensive and/or continuous support needs. The program also oversees two Adult Family Homes and one apartment home. A total of 20,075 days of support were provided in 2025. Staff encourages and assists residents to greater community involvement providing support and transportation when needed for individuals to take part in a wide variety of community activities. The Residential Services Program also provides for Independent Living Skills supports and Supported Home Care services to individuals residing in their own homes or with family members. In 2025 these 1:1 support service were provided to 12 individuals living in Superior/Douglas County.
- $1.1 million spent. Enterprises were specifically created to support individuals with hands-on work opportunities at a pace and expectation level to meet the individual's current capabilities. This program allows individuals a safe environment in which to test community workplace readiness and interest in either a prevocational sheltered workplace or in the community. These vocational services include job development and preparedness, job shadowing and coaching, task analysis, transportation supports, career profile services and transition to long term employment. Our Community Employment Program provided support for 9 individuals in 7 different community businesses in 2025. Of the 9 individuals served, 2 were new to the program in 2025. Within Bay Produce and Marathon Enterprises 26 participants pursued their individual prevocational goals toward future employment while earning $98,753.37 in wages in 2025. Bay Produce consists of 1.5 acres of greenhouse space, producing several different types of tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, cucumbers and flowers. Marathon Enterprises operates a fulltime confidential shredding service with the ability to take on long or short-term work on a contractual basis with local businesses.
- $887,688 spent. The Adult Day Program provides a wide variety of learning and recreational opportunities to people with varied capabilities. Adult Day Programs offer scheduling choices for activities both community wide and facility based within four program areas. The Life Enrichment Program schedules community opportunities that generally appeal to older participants. This program utilizes many local resources such as restaurants, museums, parks and other points of interest. The Life Enrichment Program served 18 individuals in 2025 providing 23,088 hours of service. The Life Skills Program adds volunteering opportunities, caring for a local park and a variety of other community organizations. The schedule also includes regular recreational activities, emphasizing physical activities such as local trail systems, swimming, bowling, and other seasonal activities. Life Skills served 30 individuals in 2025 providing 26,863 hours of service. The Sensory Program is focused on helping individuals with severe to profound physical challenges to maintain their activities of daily living. The Sensory Program served 14 individuals in 2025 providing 17,472 hours of service. It is common for individuals to spend a portion of each week in different programs to pursue personal interests.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.