Wisconsin Cranberry Research and Education Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WISCONSIN CRANBERRY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION, INC. IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO OPERATE EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES; AND SPECIFICALLY TO (1) PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FOR CRANBERRY GROWERS AND EMPLOYEES OF CRANBERRY GROWERS; (2) DEVELOP A RESEARCH FACILITY FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH RELATED TO THE HORTICULTURE OF CRANBERRIES; AND (3) RESEARCH AND DEVELOP BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ALL ASPECTS OF CRANBERRY PRODUCTION.
- Income
- $976,858
- Spending
- $449,974
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- -9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 63%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 30
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 (3)
- $305,727 spent. RESEARCH STATION - THE FOUNDATION PURCHASED A 130-ACRE OPERATING CRANBERRY MARSH AND RELATED EQUIPMENT TO CREATE A CRANBERRY PRODUCTION RESEARCH FACILITY. THE 130 ACRES INCLUDES 33 ACRES OF OPERATING CRANBERRY BEDS.
- $40,649 spent. CRANBERRY SCHOOL - THE FOUNDATION HOSTS A TWO-DAY PROGRAM THAT CRANBERRY GROWERS, AND THOSE INTERESTED, CAN ATTEND. THE PROGRAM DISCUSSES TOPICS RELATED TO THE CRANBERRY FIELD, SUCH AS INSECTS, PESTICIDES, POLLINATION, DRONES, PESTS AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT, AND GIVES NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY TO GROWERS. ALSO INCLUDES GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. THIS ANNUAL PROGRAM IS SPONSORED AS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT OF THE WISCONSIN CRANBERRY RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION, THE WISCONSIN STATE CRANBERRY GROWERS ASSOCIATION, AND THE UW-MADISON DIVISION OF EXTENSION.
- LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COURSE AIMS TO DEVELOP STRONG LEADERS FOR AGRICULTURE AND THE CRANBERRY COMMUNITY. THIS IS AIMED TOWARDS INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PART OF THE CRANBERRY INDUSTRY AND ARE COMMITTED TO SERVING IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE INDUSTRY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending October 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.