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Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin Inc

EIN 39-1681338 · Wauwatosa, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION AT THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN (DSAW) IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO WISCONSIN FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND RELATED DISABILITIES THROUGH EDUCATION, INFORMATION, PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES.

Income
$7.9 million
Spending
$6.4 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
8.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 48%
Employees
152
Volunteers
786
Highest pay
$195,773, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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

    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

    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, 2024, 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. $4.5 million spent. MEMBER EVENTS AND OUTREACH PROGRAM: TO HELP MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF DOWN SYNDROME, BUILD FRATERNITY AND SUPPORT IN COMMUNITIES, AND INCREASE ACCEPTANCE AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME.
  2. $1.0 million spent. FAMILY SERVICES: TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES TO OUTSIDE CLIENTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND RELATED DISABILITIES. UNDER THIS PROGRAM, THEY ALSO PROVIDE HOME AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AS WELL AS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DESCRIBED BELOW.HOME AND COMMUNITY SERVICES:CHILDREN UNDER 18 CAN UTILIZE CHILDREN'S LONG TERM SUPPORT WAIVER (CLTS) TO PAY FOR SERVICES. DSAW HAS CONTRACTS WITH EACH COUNTY WHERE WE PROVIDE SERVICES THAT LISTS THE MAXIMUM DOLLAR AMOUNT OF SERVICES WE CAN PROVIDE PER YEAR IN THAT COUNTY, ALONG WITH COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS. THEN FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL WHO WE PROVIDE SERVICES FOR, WE CONTACT THEIR CASEWORKER AND RECEIVE AN AUTHORIZATION TO PROVIDE SERVICES. THIS AUTHORIZATION LISTS DATES, THE TYPE OF SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED, THE UNITS AUTHORIZED AND THE UNIT COST. AT THE END OF EACH MONTH, DSAW SENDS THE COUNTY AN INVOICE FOR THE SERVICES THAT WERE PROVIDED. ADULTS 18+ CAN UTILIZE EITHER IRIS OR FAMILY CARE TO PAY FOR SERVICES. IRIS IS A SELF-DIRECTED PROGRAM, AND DSAW IS AN IRIS PROVIDER. INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE A BUDGET AND CAN DIRECT DOLLARS TOWARDS SERVICES. FISCAL AGENTS (SUCH AS ILIFE AND PREMIER), RECEIVE THE FUNDS FROM THE STATE AND HELP PARTICIPANTS MANAGE THEIR BUDGETS. IF INDIVIDUALS CHOOSE DSAW, WE CONTACT THE INDIVIDUAL'S FISCAL AGENT AND RECEIVE AN AUTHORIZATION WITH DATES, THE TYPE OF SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED, THE UNITS AUTHORIZED AND THE UNIT COST. AT THE END OF EACH MONTH, DSAW SENDS THE FISCAL AGENT AN INVOICE FOR THE SERVICES THAT WERE PROVIDED. ADULTS 18+ ALSO HAVE A SECONDARY PROGRAM TO CHOOSE FROM, CALLED FAMILY CARE. THEY WORK ALONGSIDE THEIR CARE MANAGER, RN, GUARDIAN AND ANY OTHER IDT MEMBER THAT IS INVOLVED AT THAT TIME. DSAW IS CONTRACTED WITH A FEW OF THE MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE THE FAMILY CARE FUNDED PROGRAM. IF THE INDIVIDUAL ADDS A SERVICE TO THEIR PLAN AND DSAW IS THE CHOSEN SERVICE PROVIDER, THEN WE RECEIVE AN AUTHORIZATION AND BILL FOR THE SERVICE AT THE END OF THE MONTH. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES:DSAW RECEIVES REFERRALS TO WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS DIRECTLY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT'S DEPARTMENT OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (DVR). DSAW IS A DVR PROVIDER IN SEVERAL WDAS. DSAW COMPLETES SERVICES PER THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE REFERRAL, AND THEN SENDS DVR AN INVOICE AT THE END OF EACH MONTH FOR THE SERVICES THAT WERE PROVIDED.
  3. $55,536 spent. DSAW HOUSING LLC: THESE COMPANY IS A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN, INC. THIS WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY-BASED HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYDROME AND RELATED DISABILITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2013.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.