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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse Inc

EIN 39-1896823 · La Crosse, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROCLAIM CHRISTS GOSPEL OF LIFE AND PROMOTE HUMAN DIGNITY BY ALLEVIATING POVERTY AND STRENGHTING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Income
$7.8 million
Spending
$7.4 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 39%
Employees
186
Volunteers
1,067
Highest pay
$193,854, executive director

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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

    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, 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 (6)
  1. $1.9 million spent. COMMUNITY HOMELESS FACILITIES PROVIDED 27,900 OVERNIGHT SERVICE STAYS FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE AT LA CROSSE WARMING CENTER, EAU CLAIRE SOJOURNER HOUSE, AND WAUSAU WARMING CENTER. GUESTS IN ALL 3 AREAS CAN REST, SHOWER, WASH CLOTHES AND EAT SUPPER AND BREAKFAST. 22 FAMILY MEMBERS WERE ALSO HOUSED THROUGH THE THRIVING FAMILIES PROJECT.
  2. $1.6 million spent. DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED 25,272 HOURS OF SUPPORT TO CHILDREN, ADULTS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY ASPERGERS, AUTISM AND OTHER SEVERE EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES. CLIENTS ARE ASSISTED WITH DAILY ROUTINES SO THEY CAN STAY IN THEIR HOMES, BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL OR LIVE IN AN ADULT HOME. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY.
  3. $1.2 million spent. POST ADOPTION SERVICES PROVIDED RETREATS, PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS, NEWLETTERS AND SUPPORT GROUPS TO 6,925 INDIVIDUALS IN WISCONSIN.
  4. $671,145 spent. ST. LAWRENCE COMMUNITY SERVICES CHARITABLE OUTREACH PROVIDED FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND LIMITED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BASIC NEEDS TO 3,871 CLIENTS EXPERIENCING A CRISIS OR A DISASTER IN THEIR LIVES. REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM OFFERS CASE MANAGEMENT AND MONTHLY BUDGETING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS DURING THE YEAR. FINANCIAL COUNSELING IS RECEIVED THROUGH PERSONAL APPOINTMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY CLASSES AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDES EMERGENCY NEEDS OF FOOD, CLOTHING OR OTHER BASIC HUMAN NEEDS. DISASTER FUNDS AND ASSISTANCE IS ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY A DISASTER.
  5. $481,122 spent. ADOPTION SERVICES THIS PROGRAM PLACED 46 CHILDREN IN FAMILIES THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ADOPTION AND SUPPORTED 46 BIRTH PARENTS TO ENSURE HEALTHY PREGNANCIES.
  6. $215,674 spent. IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED TO 361 INDIVIDUALS. ALSO HELPED WITH THE AFGHAN REFUGEES AT FORT MCCOY.

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 October 1997.

    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.