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Foundation of the Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Assoc

EIN 39-1719902 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES THAT HELP ENSURE WISCONSIN MAINTAINS A HIGHLY SKILLED TRANSPORTATION WORKFORCE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
62.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$424,402, president

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 62.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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. $830,587 spent. SCHOLARSHIP ACTIVITIES PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS ENTERING THE AUTOMOTIVE, COLLISION AND DIESEL TECHNICIAN FIELD. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO RECIPIENTS THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS THAT HIGHLIGHTS THEIR SKILLS, CAREER GOALS, AND POTENTIAL AS TECHNICIANS. THE FOUNDATION AWARDS BOTH ONE AND TWO-YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS ATTENDING WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGES, AND MANY RECIPIENTS ALSO RECEIVE A DONATED AUTOMOTIVE TOOL SET.
  2. $238,120 spent. EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND CAREER AWARENESS ACTIVITIES HELP STUDENTS EXPLORE A WIDE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE AUTOMOTIVE, COLLISION, AND DIESEL INDUSTRIES. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE CLEAR PATHWAYS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS WHILE EQUIPPING STUDENTS WITH ESSENTIAL JOB SEARCH AND INTERVIEW SKILLS. CAREER FAIRS AND TRANSPORTATION CAREER SHOWCASE EVENTS INTRODUCE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AUTOMOTIVE AND TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRIES. THESE EVENTS OFFER PRACTICAL GUIDANCE ON THE TRAINING REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS AND PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH PROFESSIONAL TOOLS THEY CAN USE THROUGHOUT THEIR EMPLOYMENT JOURNEY. TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO ENSURE HIGH CLASSROOM STANDARDS. THE FOUNDATION FACILITATES CERTIFICATION INSTITUTES FOR TRANSPORTATION INSTRUCTORS, ALLOWING EDUCATORS TO EARN PROFESSIONAL CREDITS AND STAY CURRENT WITH EVOLVING INDUSTRY TRENDS, TECHNOLOGIES, AND STANDARDS. ASE ACCREDITATION AND PROGRAM SUPPORT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ASE ACCREDITATION WHICH THE FOUNDATION HAS CHAMPIONED SINCE 1997 TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LONG-TERM CAREER SUCCESS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS 10 ASE ACCREDITED HIGH SCHOOLS SERVING APPROXIMATELY 1,400 STUDENTS, 33 ACCREDITED TECHNICAL COLLEGE PROGRAMS SERVING APPROXIMATELY 1,400 STUDENTS, AND MORE THAN 115 NON-ACCREDITED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS, REACHING OVER 11,000 STUDENTS STATEWIDE. MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PARTNERSHIPS WITH TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND DEALERSHIPS TO HOST HANDS-ON, WEEKLONG CAMPS. THESE EXPERIENCES INTRODUCE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO AUTOMOTIVE, COLLISION AND DIESEL CAREER PATHWAYS AND SPARK EARLY INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY. STUDENT COMPETITION ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SUPPORTING THE ANNUAL SKILLSUSA WISCONSIN AUTOMOTIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS THROUGH TECHNICAL COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION AND INDUSTRY VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT. THE FOUNDATION ALSO ASSISTS WITH A VARIETY OF TRANSPORTATION-RELATED COMPETITIONS ACROSS WISCONSIN, HELPING TO CELEBRATE STUDENT TALENT.

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? 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 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 April 1992.

    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.