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Lussier Community Education Center Inc

EIN 39-1938173 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BUILDING COMMUNITY, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, ENRICHING EDUCATION

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
46
Volunteers
174
Highest pay
$82,400, exective dir

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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

    9 of 9 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 (5)
  1. $294,004 spent. FACILITATED COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING - LCEC PROVIDES SPACE FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO BRING DIVERSE PROGRAMMING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. KINDERGARTEN READINESS (PLAY & LEARN) AND EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED BY THE MADISON SCHOOL DISTRICT; COURSES FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS ARE PROVIDED BY LITERACY NETWORK; MUSIC LESSONS ARE PROVIDED BY WCO; AND COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE SPONSORED AND LED BY FOLKS FROM THE COMMUNITY.
  2. $119,674 spent. COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENGAGEMENT - THROUGH COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENGAGEMENT, LCEC SERVES AS A FOCAL POINT OF NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITY, PROVIDING A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND CIVIC SERVICES PRIMARILY TO RESTRICTED INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LIVING ON THE FAR WEST SIDE OF MADISON. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, LCEC CREATES A COMMUNITY SPACE WHERE FOLKS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE CAN GATHER AND PROVIDES FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS, SUCH AS FOOD SECURITY, HEALTH & WELLNESS, AND FINANCIAL WELL-BEING. LCEC'S CAPACITY TO PROVIDE CIVIC SERVICES WAS LARGELY INCREASED WITH THE ADDITION OF A 16 FT X 16FT FRIDGE/FREEZER COMBO, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR FOOD PROGRAMS.
  3. $294,689 spent. ELEMENTARY PROGRAM - THE LCECS AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY-AGE CHILDREN PROVIDES MORE THAN 600 HOURS OF HIGH-QUALITY, AGE-SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING EACH ACADEMIC YEAR. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP CHILDREN GROW UP HEALTHY, RESILIENT, AND SUCCESSFUL BY FOCUSING ON ACADEMICS, HEALTH AND FITNESS, THE ARTS, AND SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP.
  4. $412,735 spent. MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM - THE LCEC IS A POSITIVE PLACE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH TO BELONG, STRENGTHEN SCHOOL CONNECTIONS,AND PREPARE FOR THE CHALLENGES OF HIGH SCHOOL. EACH DAY, AN AVERAGE OF 20 MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTHDROP IN FOR PROGRAMMING ADDRESSING GENDER AND IDENTITY, ART AND MEDIA,PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, OR HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS. HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM - TEEN BUILD UP IS THE UMBRELLA FOR AN ARRAY OF COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SERVING MORE THAN 250 HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS ANNUALLY WITH MORE THAN 600 HOURS OF INNOVATIVE AND DIVERSE PROGRAMMING. EVERY SCHOOL DAY, TEENS FROM MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL COME TO THE CENTER TO RECEIVE HELP WITH HOMEWORK AND PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS COOKING, MINDFULNESS, AND THE ARTS. AFTERSCHOOL TIME IS STRUCTURED THROUGH DAILY GROUP SESSIONS: ARTS & MEDIA CLUB, COOKING CLUB, HOMEWORK HELP, IDENTITY GROUPS (BOSS AND MENS), OPEN GYM, AND YOUTH ACTION. THERE WILL ALSO BE SPACE TO RELAX, SOCIALIZE, ENJOY OPEN GYM, STUDY, CHECK-IN AND REFLECT, AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS. THERE WILL BE TIMES WHERE ALL YOUTH IN THE SPACE ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CLUB ACTIVITY TO STAY IN THE BUILDING. WE ASK THAT YOUTH KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND TRY NEW THINGS. BEATS - BUILDING EMPLOYMENT & TECHNOLOGY SKILLS (BEATS) THE BUILDING EMPLOYMENT & TECHNOLOGY SKILLS PROGRAM'S GOAL IS TO CREATE BETTER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR LOW-INCOME AND UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, TRAINING, AND EDUCATION.
  5. MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM - THE LCEC IS A POSITIVE PLACE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH TO BELONG, STRENGTHEN SCHOOL CONNECTIONS,AND PREPARE FOR THE CHALLENGES OF HIGH SCHOOL. EACH DAY, AN AVERAGE OF 20 MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTHDROP IN FOR PROGRAMMING ADDRESSING GENDER AND IDENTITY, ART AND MEDIA,PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, OR HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS. HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM - TEEN BUILD UP IS THE UMBRELLA FOR AN ARRAY OF COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SERVING MORE THAN 250 HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS ANNUALLY WITH MORE THAN 600 HOURS OF INNOVATIVE AND DIVERSE PROGRAMMING. EVERY SCHOOL DAY, TEENS FROM MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL COME TO THE CENTER TO RECEIVE HELP WITH HOMEWORK AND PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS COOKING, MINDFULNESS, AND THE ARTS. AFTERSCHOOL TIME IS STRUCTURED THROUGH DAILY GROUP SESSIONS: ARTS & MEDIA CLUB, COOKING CLUB, HOMEWORK HELP, IDENTITY GROUPS (BOSS AND MENS), OPEN GYM, AND YOUTH ACTION. THERE WILL ALSO BE SPACE TO RELAX, SOCIALIZE, ENJOY OPEN GYM, STUDY, CHECK-IN AND REFLECT, AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS. THERE WILL BE TIMES WHERE ALL YOUTH IN THE SPACE ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CLUB ACTIVITY TO STAY IN THE BUILDING. WE ASK THAT YOUTH KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND TRY NEW THINGS. BEATS - BUILDING EMPLOYMENT & TECHNOLOGY SKILLS (BEATS) THE BUILDING EMPLOYMENT & TECHNOLOGY SKILLS PROGRAM'S GOAL IS TO CREATE BETTER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR LOW-INCOME AND UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, TRAINING, AND EDUCATION.

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 December 1998.

    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.

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