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Hepburn Bootstrap Foundation Inc

EIN 39-1983506 · Milwaukee, 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

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$63,284
Spending
$338,601
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
94.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$342,082, assistant secretary (end 8/24)

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 94.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 435% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs.

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 92% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $308,700 spent. SEE SCHEDULE OTHE HEPBURN "BOOTSTRAP" FOUNDATION, INC. WAS FORMED TO OPERATE AS A SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED IN SECTIONS 501(C)(3) AND 509(A)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE TO RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM JILL AND MAL HEPBURN, AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILY, AND DISTRIBUTE THEM IN SUPPORT OF THE GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION. THE GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION IS A PUBLIC CHARITY DESCRIBED IN SECTIONS 509(A)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.AS SET FORTH IN THE HEPBURN "BOOTSTRAP" FOUNDATION, INC'S. ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, HEPBURN "BOOTSTRAP" FOUNDATION, INC. WAS ORGANIZED, AND SHALL AT ALL TIMES BE OPERATED, EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF, TO PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS OF, AND TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF, GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION, A CHARITABLE TRUST ORGANIZED PURSUANT TO THE DECLARATION OF TRUST ... IN FURTHERANCE THEREOF, THE CORPORATION SHALL BE ORGANIZED AND OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR, AND ITS ACTIVITIES SHALL BE LIMITED TO, SUCH RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AS WILL BENEFIT, CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES AND/OR PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS OF GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION, INCLUDING AMONG SUCH PURPOSES...THE MAKING OF GRANTS AND THE DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS TO GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION AND/OR FOR THE BENEFIT AND/OR PURPOSES OF GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION ... "

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 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 2024.

    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 May 2000.

    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.