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Midwest Environmental Advocates Inc

EIN 39-2006475 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood87 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MIDWEST ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES IS A NONPROFIT LAW CENTER THAT COMBINES THE POWER OF LAW WITH THE RESOLVE OF COMMUNITIES FACING ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE TO SECURE AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE TO HEALTHY WATER, LAND, AND AIR.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
15.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
12
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$101,760, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 August 31, 2025, 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. $873,211 spent. ACTIVITIES RELATED TO COMBINING THE POWER OF LAW WITH THE RESOLVE OF COMMUNITIES FACING ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE TO SECURE AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE TO HEALTHY WATER, LAND, AND AIR. $0 FOR AMICUS BRIEFING AND PARTICIPATION FOR A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN A CASE THAT WILL DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF WISCONSIN'S TOXIC SPILLS LAW TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH.$0 FOR LITIGATION RELATED TO ENFORCEMENT OF WISCONSIN'S PUBLIC RECORDS LAW, WHICH ADVANCES THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO TRANSPARENCY IN THE OPERATIONS OF GOVERNMENT.$0 FOR LITIGATION TO DEFEND PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITIES THAT DISCHARGE POLLUTANTS TO SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER, WHICH PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH.$0 FOR REPRESENTATION OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING RELATED TO A POLLUTION DISCHARGE PERMIT TO ADVOCATE FOR CONDITIONS THAT PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH.$14,997 FOR REPRESENTATION OF A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO CONTEST THE ISSUANCE OF WETLAND AND WATERWAYS PERMITS IN ORDER TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES.$0 FOR AMICUS BRIEFING TO SUPPORT SEPARATION OF POWERS AND FAITHFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.$0 FOR REPRESENTATION FOR A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS ABOUT THE AFFORDABILITY OF ROOFTOP SOLAR AND ELECTRICITY RATES.$0 FOR REPRESENTATION OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE AGENCIES' COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT IN CONNECTION WITH HIGHWAY EXPANSION.$0 FOR REPRESENTATION OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING RELATED THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXPANSION OF A POWERPLANT TO ADVOCATE FOR CONDITIONS THAT PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.$3,000 FOR AMICUS BRIEFING FOR A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO ADVOCATE FOR CONSUMER CHOICE AND DISTRIBUTED RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION.$0 FOR LITIGATION TO ALLOW THE STATE TO CONSIDER AIR POLLUTION IMPACTS AND REQUIRE RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GENERATION WHEN CONSIDERING PROPOSALS FOR NEW GENERATING FACILITIES.$10,439 FOR REPRESENTATION OF A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED INDIAN TRIBE IN A COURT PROCEEDING REGARDING STANDARDS FOR PERMITTING EXPLORATORY MINING OPERATIONS, ENSURING THE PROTECTION OF WATER QUALITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES.$0 FOR REPRESENTATION OF A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED INDIAN TRIBE IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING REGARDING THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS, TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.$0 FOR REPRESENTATION OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING RELATED TO A POLLUTION DISCHARGE PERMIT TO ADVOCATE FOR CONDITIONS THAT PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH.$0 FOR LITIGATION RELATED TO ENFORCEMENT OF WISCONSIN'S PUBLIC RECORDS LAW, WHICH ADVANCES THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO TRANSPARENCY IN THE OPERATIONS OF GOVERNMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 August 2025.

    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 April 2001.

    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.