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Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin Inc

EIN 39-1711388 · Janesville, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN, INC. IS A TAX-EXEMPT NOT-FOR-PROFIT PHILANTHROPIC GRANTING ORGANIZATION THAT MATCHES PERSONAL PHILANTHROPY WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS THROUGH GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FROM ENDOWED AND NON-ENDOWED FUNDS. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS MEETING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS FOR COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS NATIONWIDE BY THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS NATIONAL STANDARDS BOARD. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS NATIONAL STANDARDS BOARD MEASURES QUALITY, INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN SIX KEY AREAS OF COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OPERATIONS: MISSION, STRUCTURE, AND GOVERNANCE; RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT; STEWARDSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY; GRANT MAKING AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP; DONOR RELATIONS; AND COMMUNICATIONS. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS NATIONAL STANDARDS BOARD HAS REACCREDITED THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN UNTIL 2026.

Income
$15.9 million
Spending
$7.2 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 44%
Employees
14
Volunteers
562
Highest pay
$154,481, president/ceo

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 55% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 64% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 June 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 (2)
  1. $4.5 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN CURRENTLY HAS 955 COMPONENT FUNDS SUPPORTING A VARIETY OF CHARITABLE INTERESTS INCLUDING THE ARTS, EDUCATION, THE ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION. DURING THE YEAR THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN PROVIDED GRANTS TO MORE THAN 289 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT THEIR CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
  2. $1.5 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN ADMINISTERS A VARIETY OF SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS THAT WERE ESTABLISHED BY INDIVIDUALS, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, AND BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT OUR SERVICE AREA. EACH SCHOLARSHIP IS UNIQUE AND SUPPORTS STUDENTS WITH A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS, AGES, EDUCATIONAL GOALS, AND ECONOMIC LEVELS. DURING THE YEAR THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO 471 STUDENTS FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 2025.

    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 July 1992.

    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.