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Wisconsin Law Foundation Inc

EIN 39-6063515 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 47% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW, IMPROVEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND OTHER LAW-RELATED PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH FUNDING OF INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE PROGRAMS THAT IMPROVE THE VISION OF THE AMERICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM.

Income
$596,716
Spending
$189,532
Spent on programs
47%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
0
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$292,191, secretary (see schedule o)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 68% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 53% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    47% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $28,000 spent. TRUMAN MCNULTY GRANTS: THE MCNULTY GRANTS ARE AWARDED TO CHARITABLE OR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW, OR IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, OR ARE A LAW-RELATED PUBLIC SERVICE PROJECT. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE FY2025 GRANTS ARE: ABC FOR HEALTH; BRIARPATCH YOUTH SERVICES, INC.; CATHOLIC MULTICULTURAL CENTER; CENTRO LEGAL; GRANT COUNTY TEEN COURT; LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN, INC.; MILWAUKEE JUSTICE CENTER; ONEIDA COUNTY TEEN COURT; SAUK COUNTY FAMILY LAW COURT; SHEBOYGAN COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES; WISCONSIN CASA ASSOCIATION; WISCONSIN TEEN COURT ASSOCIATION.
  2. $16,463 spent. STATE BAR LAW-RELATED EDUCATION PROGRAMS: THE STATE BAR LAW-RELATED EDUCATION PROGRAM GRANTS SUPPORT THE HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT, WHICH PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE LAW AND CITIZENSHIP THROUGH INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. THE HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT FAMILIARIZES STUDENTS WITH THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM WITH STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN A TRIAL SIMULATION AS LAWYERS AND WITNESSES.
  3. $15,169 spent. 1. 2025 ANNUAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FOR THREE DIVERSITY CLERKSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.2. 2025 SOLO AND SMALL FIRM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FOR UP TO THREE DIVERSITY CLERKSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.3. EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR OF THE 2025 DIVERSITY CLERKSHIP RECEPTION WHICH HONORS BOTH THE LAW CLERKS AND EMPLOYERS FOR THIS YEAR'S DIVERSITY CLERKSHIP PROGRAM. LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE PROFESSION COME TOGETHER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS ANNUAL GATHERING.
  4. $29,362 spent. TO PROMOTE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW, IMPROVEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND OTHER LAW-RELATED PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH FUNDING OF INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE PROGRAMS THAT IMPROVE THE VISION OF THE AMERICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: THE BELLE CASE LA FOLLETTE AWARDS RECOGNIZE THREE RECENT LAW SCHOOL GRADUATES, WHO ARE STATE BAR OF WISCONSIN MEMBERS AND PRACTICING IN WISCONSIN, AND WHO REPRESENT UNDER-SERVED POPULATIONS, SUCH AS PEOPLE OF MODEST MEANS AND THOSE WHO LIVE IN RURAL AREAS. ONE AWARD IS GIVEN TO A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN LAW SCHOOL. ONE AWARD IS GIVEN TO A GRADUATE OF MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL. ONE AWARD IS GIVEN TO A GRADUATE OF A LAW SCHOOL LOCATED OUTSIDE WISCONSIN WHO IS PRACTICING IN WISCONSIN.THE KATHRYN RASMUSSEN BULLON FUND TO ENHANCE LEGAL REPRESENTATION ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN UNDERSERVED AREAS, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS "LEGAL DESERTS," BY FUNDING THE RURAL PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. THE GOAL OF THIS STATE BAR OF WISCONSIN ADMINISTERED PROGRAM IS TO RECRUIT THREE ATTORNEYS EACH YEAR TO PRACTICE LAW IN A DESIGNATED COUNTY IN RURAL WISCONSIN FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. OPTIONS INCLUDE STARTING A PRACTICE, JOINING A FIRM, OR PRACTICING IN A GOVERNMENT OR NONPROFIT SETTING. AN APPROVED ELIGIBLE ATTORNEY RECEIVES $5,000 AT THE START OF THE AGREEMENT AND ANOTHER $5,000 UPON COMPLETION OF THE TWO-YEAR COMMITMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 August 1963.

    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.