Milwaukee Downtown Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LEAD AND INSPIRE BELIEVERS IN MILWAUKEE TO ENGAGE IN EFFORTS THAT BUILD DOWNTOWN AS THE THRIVING, SUSTAINABLE, INNOVATIVE, AND VIBRANT HEART OF THE COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $2.7 million
- Spending
- $2.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 5.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $309,884, chief exective officer
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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 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 (4)
- $513,654 spent. HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL AND STREET DECORATING - THE MILWAUKEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL HAS HELPED TO ESTABLISH DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE AS A PREMIER MIDWESTERN DESTINATION, DAZZLING GUESTS WITH NEW DISPLAYS AND AN ABUNDANCE OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS. MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN IS THE LEAD COORDINATOR IN PROCURING AND INSTALLING DECOR, PRODUCING SEVERAL EVENTS, AND MARKETING EVERYTHING WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES DURING THE SIX-WEEK FESTIVAL. THE FESTIVAL INCLUDES LOCAL SCHOOLS DECORATING A TREE WITH HANDMADE ORNAMENTS TO CREATE COMMUNITY SPIRIT PARK; PARK DECORATIONS IN CATHEDRAL SQUARE, PERE MARQUETTE AND ZEIDLER UNION SQUARE; A KICK-OFF EXTRAVAGANZA TO TURN ON THE LIGHTS FOR THE FIRST TIME - SHOW INCLUDES DANCE ACTS, SINGERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, FIREWORKS AND MORE; SANTA'S MAILBOX, WHERE CHILDREN RECEIVE A PERSONALIZED LETTER BACK FROM SANTA; THE JINGLE BUS, A GUIDED TOUR OF MILWAUKEE WITH A FOCUS ON THE DECORATED PARKS; COCOA WITH THE CLAUSES, A FREE OPPORTUNITY TO SNAP FESTIVAL PHOTOS; AN ANNUAL ORNAMENT HONORING A DOWNTOWN LANDMARK; AND A COMPREHENSIVE BROCHURE FOR ACTIVITIES TO DO DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
- $707,213 spent. EVENTS AND MARKETING PROGRAMS FOR DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE CONSTITUENTS:DOWNTOWN DINING WEEK - FOR EIGHT DAYS AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE, CONSUMERS ENJOY A PRIX-FIXE MENU FOR LUNCH AND/OR DINNER AT 35+ RESTAURANTS. AN ESTIMATED 75,000 PATRONS PARTICIPATE IN DOWNTOWN DINING WEEK ANNUALLY.DOWNTOWN EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION WEEK - OUR THANK YOU TO THE DOWNTOWN WORKFORCE INCLUDES DAILY FREE LUNCHES, AFTER-WORK EVENTS INCLUDING VOLLEYBALL AND TRIVIA, EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION EVENTS, PRIZES AND MORE. WE WORK WITH OVER 20 LOCAL RESTAURANTS TO PROVIDE FREE LUNCH TO WORKERS, COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFITS TO HAVE BOOTHS THAT HAVE VALUABLE INFORMATION AND PRIZES FOR THE WORKFORCE AND SECURE OVER $30,000 WORTH OF GIVE AWAYS ALL WEEK LONG.TASTE & TOAST - THE MONDAY-FRIDAY EVENT FEATURES COCKTAILS, MOCK-TAILS AND SMALL PLATES AT 20+ ESTABLISHMENTS AT A HIGH VALUE TO THE CONSUMER. THE EVENT TAKES PLACE DURING FIRST QUARTER TO DRIVE PATRONS INTO RESTAURANTS AND BARS DURING A SLOW TIME. SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING: WE UTILIZE FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE IN A VARIETY OF WAYS TO CONNECT WITH OUR CONSUMER, COMMUNICATE IMPORTANT INFORMATION, SHARE PICTURES AND EVENTS AND SHARE SURVEY LINKS FOR ALL OF OUR EVENTS. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION - WE WORK WITH MANY COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE OUR EVENTS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING CITY AND COUNTY WORKERS, NON-PROFITS, STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, SPORT TEAMS AND MORE. PUBLIC RELATIONS/MARKETING - STRATEGIES UTILIZED TO COMMUNICATE BID #21'S MISSION AND ACHIEVE ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS. TACTICS INCLUDE PRESS RELEASE DEVELOPMENT, MEDIA COORDINATION, WEBSITE MAINTENANCE, NEWSLETTERS TARGETING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDIENCES, AND MEDIA PLACEMENTS.BRANDING - A HYPER LOCAL MULTIMEDIA CAMPAIGN TO BRAND DOWNTOWN AS A DESTINATION TO WORK, LIVE, PLAY AND VISIT BY ELEVATING THE AWARENESS OF THE PLETHORA OF THINGS AVAILABLE WITHIN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.
- $752,332 spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS: THE ORGANIZATION PROMOTES DOWNTOWN AS THE TOP DESTINATION FOR BUSINESSES TO LOCATE AND/OR EXPAND THROUGH A WIDE VARIETY OF STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS. STRATEGIES INCLUDE: CO-LEADING THE CONNECTING MKE DOWNTOWN PLAN 2040, CREATING COLLATERAL AND COMMUNICATION PIECES SUCH AS THE DOWNTOWN AREA INVESTMENT MAP, THE HOP STREETCAR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES GUIDE, MKE BLUEPRINT MAGAZINE, REAL RESULTS NEWSLETTER, SKYWALK MAP, AND REGULAR BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS TO TELL THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT STORY. MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN IS A GO-TO RESOURCE FOR ACCURATE MARKET DATA THAT IS USED BY DEVELOPERS, INVESTORS, BUSINESSES AND THE BROKERAGE COMMUNITY. THROUGH THE CEO CALL PROGRAM AND ONGOING OUTREACH, STAFF GATHERS DATA FROM BUSINESS EXECUTIVES ABOUT THE POSITIVES AND CHALLENGES OF DOING BUSINESS IN DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE, WHICH ULTIMATELY PROVIDES A POINT OF DIRECTION ON NEW AND EXISTING INITIATIVES. IN ADDITION TO WORKING WITH CITY OF MILWAUKEE STAFF ON INCENTIVE PROGRAMS SUCH AS FACADE, WHITE BOX, AND SIGNAGE GRANTS, STAFF HAS SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED ITS OWN INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO ATTRACT BUSINESS DOWNTOWN THAT WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BANK FIVE NINE NAMED THE MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LOAN POOL. STAFF ALSO PROMOTES THE USE OF THE DOWNTOWN PACE LOAN POOL, BETTER BUILDINGS CHALLENGE, AND OPPORTUNITY ZONES. MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN IS A TRUSTEE OF THE KIVA ZIP LOAN PROGRAM AND AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE STATE'S CONNECT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM.MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN IS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S STRATEGIC PLAN AND OTHER NEW PROGRAMS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN STAFF ALSO IS PLACING ADDED EMPHASIS ON SUPPORTING THE NIGHTTIME ECONOMY AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES THROUGH PUBLIC ART, BRANDING, AND CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS. STAFF ALSO MAINTAINS LISTS OF PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR LEASE/SALE, AND PROVES TO BE A GO-TO RESOURCE FOR DOWNTOWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION. STAFF ALSO IS LEADING SEVERAL QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVES THAT AIM TO MAKE MILWAUKEE A DESTINATION TO LIVE, ATTRACTING TALENT THAT IN TURNS, ATTRACTS BUSINESSES IN SEARCH OF TALENT. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE DOWNTOWN'S FIRST DOG PARK, AESTHETIC UNDER FREEWAY LIGHTING & MURALS, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO DOWNTOWN'S OPEN SPACES AND PARKS.PUBLIC ART IMPLEMENTATIONS - LED THE COORDINATION AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR VARIOUS MURALS TO BEAUTIFY THE PUBLIC REALM WITH ART.ACTIVATION - INITIATED NEW PROJECTS TO ENLIVEN DOWNTOWN'S SIDEWALKS, ALLEYS, AND OTHER PUBLIC SPACES TO BOOST PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC AND CUSTOMERS TO BRICK-AND-MORTAR BUSINESSES.REIMAGINE RED ARROW PARK - A MULTI-YEAR, PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO ENHANCE THIS CENTRALIZED PUBLIC SPACE, AND TO FOSTER CIVIC LIFE IN IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY, 365 DAYS A YEAR. PROGRAMMING INCLUDED DOWNTOWN ICE CAPE-ADE IN FEBRUARY, BIG TRUCK DAY IN MAY, AND HEART(BEATS) OF THE CITY POWERED BY MGIC, LUNCHTIME CONCERTS AND FOOD TRUCK SERIES TARGETING THE RETURNING DOWNTOWN WORKFORCE, AND JACK-O-LANTERN JUBILEE IN OCTOBER. DOWNTOWN DOG PARK - A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN MULTIPLE PUBLIC SECTORS, INCLUDING THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE, AND HISTORIC THIRD WARD BID #2, TO TRANSFORM AN EMPTY PARCEL OF LAND UNDERNEATH THE I-794 OVERPASS, BETWEEN THE MILWAUKEE RIVER AND PLANKINTON AVENUE, INTO DOWNTOWN'S FIRST DOG PARK.
- $178,103 spent. KEY TO CHANGE - DIRECTS FUNDS TO BENEFIT PROGRAMS TO HELP ASSIST HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. DONATIONS ARE USED TOFURTHER THE MISSION OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY HOUSING DIVISION'S HOUSING FIRST PROJECT, AN INITIATIVE THAT RECOGNIZES HOUSING AS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD STABILIZATION. STABLE LIVING CONDITIONS ARE THEN COMPLEMENTED BY WRAPAROUND SERVICES, WHICH RANGE FROM REHABILITATION AND COUNSELING TO JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT. REPLICATED IN OTHER CITIES, DATA FOR HOUSING FIRST PROGRAMS OVERWHELMINGLY SHOWS THAT THIS MODEL DRAMATICALLY REDUCES PUBLIC SERVICE COSTS, AS WELL AS IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE CONSUMER AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
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
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 December 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 August 2000.
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.
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