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Independent Living Resources Inc

EIN 39-1762026 · La Crosse, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

INDEPENDENT LIVING RESOURCES IS COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY DIVERSITY THROUGH ADVOCACY, CHOICE, AND EDUCATION RESULTING IN EMPOWERMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 86%
Employees
20
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$79,960, executive director

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 47% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 (4)
  1. $400,986 spent. INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS (ILCS) HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ACHIEVE OR MAINTAIN MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE ASSISTED IN EXPLORING ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION AND ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT HOW THEY WILL LIVE. ILCS DIRECTLY PROVIDE OR COORDINATE THROUGH REFERRAL THOSE SERVICES WHICH ASSIST PEOPLE IN INCREASING THEIR ABILITIES TO EXERCISE CONTROL OVER THEIR LIVES. CONTROL OVER ONE'S LIFE MEANS HAVING A CHOICE OF ACCEPTABLE OPTIONS THAT MINIMIZE RELIANCE ON OTHERS IN MAKING DECISIONS AND PERFORMING EVERY DAY ACTIVITIES. THIS INCLUDES MANAGING ONE'S OWN AFFAIRS, PARTICIPATING IN DAY-TO-DAY COMMUNITY LIFE, AND FULFILLING A RANGE OF SOCIAL ROLES.
  2. $139,799 spent. ILR HAS NEGOTIATED A VARIETY OF CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS WITH FUNDING SOURCES SUCH AS COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES CCS & OTHER PROGRAMS, DVR, IRIS, CLTS WAIVER, AND MCOS FOR FEE-BASED SERVICES. ILR IS REIMBURSED IN DIFFERENT WAYS; BY THE HOUR, QUARTER HOUR, OR COMPLETED ASSESSMENT. ALL SERVICES ARE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL REFERRAL AUTHORIZATIONS VIA REFERRALS EMAIL.
  3. $108,364 spent. INDEPENDENT LIVING RESOURCES, INC. IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT OF THE LA CROSSE COLLABORATIVE TO END HOMELESSNESS. IT IS MADE UP OF SEVERAL COMMUNITY PROVIDERS, FUNDERS, AND HOMELESS CONSUMERS WHO ACT AS AN ADVISORY COUNCIL. THERE IS ONE STAFF WHO COORDINATES MEETINGS OF SEVERAL MEMBER COMMITTEES, SECURES FUNDING, COLLECTS DATA, DEVELOPS SUB CONTRACTS WITH MEMBERS, PROVIDES TRAINING, AND DRIVES THE ENTIRE PROCESS TO BE COHESIVE. ILR HAS TWO SUBCONTRACTS FOR TWO OUTREACH STAFF AND FOR PREVENTION FUNDS. CATHOLIC CHARITIES IS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR ALL THEIR ACTIVITIES AND FUNDING.
  4. $382,310 spent. GRANT FROM DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES: -PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO EIGHT DHS FUNDED PEER RUN ORGANIZATIONS (PRO), SO THEY MEET DHS REQUIREMENTS. -DEVELOP STATEWIDE PEER LEADERSHIP THROUGH ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT PRO'S RESULTING IN STATEWIDE TRAINING. -PROVIDE TIMELY REIMBURSEMENT TO CONSUMERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN STATE SPONSORED MEETINGS. RAVE IS A CONSUMER RUN DROP-IN CENTER FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS LOCATED IN LA CROSSE. THE DROP-IN CENTER IS OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY FROM 9-5 AND IS STAFFED BY PEER SPECIALISTS. THE STAFF ARE ALL PERSONS LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A 48 HOUR PEER SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION COURSE. RAVE PROVIDES A SAFE, COMFORTABLE, AND ACCEPTING PLACE TO MEET AND VISIT WITH PEERS TO HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE, TO READ THE DAILY NEWSPAPER TO FIND OUT ABOUT COMMUNITY RESOURCES, TO GET HELP WITH JOB SEARCHES, TO USE THE COMPUTERS, PLAY POOL, PAINT A PICTURE, DO CRAFTS, OR WHATEVER HELPS WITH PERSONAL RECOVERY. MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECOVERY IS A JOURNEY OF HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION ENABLING PEOPLE TO LIVE MEANINGFUL LIVES IN THE COMMUNITY WHILE STRIVING TO ACHIEVE HIS/HER FULL POTENTIAL.

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 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 June 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 October 1993.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Resource Center for Independent Living Inc (Utica, NY), EIN 22-2518284. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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