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Serenity Inns Inc

EIN 41-2034019 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE QUALITY HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE HEALTH, EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES FOR THOSE MOVING FROM ADDICTION AND HOMELESSNESS TO CONTINUED RECOVERY AND INDEPENDENT LIVING.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
-5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
29
Volunteers
1,750
Highest pay
$158,379, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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. $1.7 million spent. SERENITY INNS PROVIDES A HOLISTIC CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR MEN SEEKING RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES: DROP-IN CLINIC: (BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY OF 2025) PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE CARE FOR ALL, REGARDLESS OF INSURANCE STATUS. OUR DROP-IN SERVICES OFFER A WELCOMING AND FLEXIBLE ENTRY POINT FOR INDIVIDUALS FACING SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO TRADITIONAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS. IN A SUPPORTIVE AND NON-JUDGMENTAL ENVIRONMENT, WE PROVIDE ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND BUILD GENUINE CONNECTIONS, FOSTERING TRUST AND ENGAGEMENT.RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT: A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE MEN BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY TO RECOVERY, ADDRESSING DIVERSE HEALTH NEEDS. OUR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE AND STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT FOR MEN BEGINNING THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY. ROOTED IN EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES, OUR PROGRAM IS GUIDED BY A DEDICATED TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING EACH INDIVIDUAL'S PATH TO LASTING SOBRIETY. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH A MEDICAL DIRECTOR, CLINICAL DIRECTOR AND COUNSELORS. GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL THERAPY SESSIONS ARE PART OF THE PROGRAM PROVIDING BOTH PEER AND PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE.TRANSITIONAL LIVING: OFFERING CONTINUED STRUCTURE AND GUIDANCE AS MEN PROGRESS TOWARDS INDEPENDENT LIVING. SERENITY INNS' TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM OFFERS A SUPPORTIVE BRIDGE BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND INDEPENDENT LIVING, PROVIDING STRUCTURE AND GUIDANCE AS MEN CONTINUE THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY. THIS PHASE OF OUR CONTINUUM OF CARE IS DESIGNED TO HELP RESIDENTS BUILD ON THEIR PROGRESS WHILE FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY.ALUMNI HOUSE: ENSURING ONGOING SUPPORT AND CONNECTION FOR PROGRAM GRADUATES. THE BUEHLER ALUMNI HOUSE AT SERENITY INNS PROVIDES A VITAL LIFELINE FOR OUR PROGRAM GRADUATES. THIS FACILITY OFFERS SAFE, CLEAN, AND AFFORDABLE SOBER APARTMENTS, ENABLING INDIVIDUALS TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY TO RECOVERY BEYOND THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. WITH THE OPTION TO STAY FOR UP TO 12 MONTHS, THE ALUMNI HOUSE CREATES A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY THAT FOSTERS LASTING CONNECTIONS AND EMPOWERS GRADUATES TO MAINTAIN THEIR NEWFOUND SOBRIETY WHILE SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATING INTO SOCIETY. THIS ENVIRONMENT ENCOURAGES PERSONAL GROWTH, RESPONSIBILITY, AND CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT IN RECOVERY ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.