Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Kids Matter Inc

EIN 39-1988488 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF KIDS MATTER INC. IS TO HELP ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN HEAL AND THRIVE, TO BRING VOLUNTEER ENERGY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO FOSTER AND KINSHIP CHILDREN, AND TO APPLY LESSONS LEARNED FROM HELPING CHILDREN HEAL TO PREVENTING FURTHER CHILD ABUSE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
12.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
20
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$98,383, executive direc

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

    6 of 6 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 (4)
  1. $1.1 million spent. THE FOSTERING HEALING PROGRAM HELPS CHILD CRIME VICTIMS INCLUDING CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT OR WHO ARE SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE OF A PARENT OR CAREGIVER. FAMILY CONNECTIONS PROVIDES FAMILY SUPPORT AND CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION TO EXTENDED KIN CAREGIVERS, INCLUDING A GRANDFAMILY SUPPORT GROUP. KIDS MATTER HAS A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM TO PROVIDE TRAUMA SUPPORT, FREE LEGAL SERVICES, FREE COUNSELING, SAFETY PLANNING, IN-HOME VISITS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO OVER 2,500 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ANNUALLY. MILWAUKEE'S COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE (CASA) PROGRAM IS WHOLLY MANAGED BY KIDS MATTER INC. EACH YEAR HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN VICTIMIZED BY ABUSE OR NEGLECT ARE ASSIGNED A CASA VOLUNTEER BY A JUDGE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE CHILDREN'S BEST INTERESTS IN OBTAINING A SAFE, PERMANENT HOME OR TO TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING.
  2. $168,219 spent. FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, HOMICIDE, LOSS OR ABSENCE OF PARENT. ASSISTANCE KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE WITHIN EXTENDED KINSHIP FAMILIES AND OUTSIDE OF FOSTER CARE.
  3. FOSTERING HOPE. COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS DONATE GOODS AND SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN CRISIS. IN 2024, $575,226 IN IN-KIND DONATIONS AND DONATED VOLUNTEER SERVICES PROVIDED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN IN NEED, SUPPORTED POSITIVE EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN, AND EASED THE BURDENS OF COVID BY CAREGIVING FAMILIES.
  4. OTHER PROGRAMSKINSHIP CAREGIVER SUPPORT/NAVIGATION. FREE SUPPORT GROUPS, LEGAL EDUCATION, EVENTS, NAVIGATION OF AVAILABLE SERVICES FOR KINSHIP CAREGIVING FAMILIES. HOPE FOR CHILD HOMICIDE SURVIVORS. NEW GRANT SUPPORTED PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TIMELY SUPPORT, COUNSELING AND SERVICES TO CHILDREN WHO LOSE A PARENT OR CAREGIVER TO HOMICIDE.

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.