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Islands of Brilliance Inc

EIN 47-1249195 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceWeak49 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ISLANDS OF BRILLIANCE PROVIDES SAFE SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR THE AUTISTIC AND NEURODIVERGENT COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 46%
Employees
16
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$79,875, executive director

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    9 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 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 (3)
  1. $812,958 spent. FOUNDATION STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED A 1:1 MENTOR WHO IS PROFICIENT IN THE TARGETING SOFTWARE PROGRAM SUPPORTED BY THE EXPERTISE OF IOB STAFF. LICENSED SPECIAL EDUCATORS OVERSEE ALL ASPECTS OF THE WORKSHOPS AND GUIDE THE INTERACTION OF BOTH THE TECHNICAL SKILLS AS WELL AS THOSE INTANGIBLES SUCH AS SOCIAL INTERACTION AND COLLABORATION. OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED SELF-CONFIDENCE, SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS AND STAMINA.
  2. SANDBOX, SANDBOX @, BRILLIANT BREAKFAST CLUB AND SUMMER CAMP WORKSHOPS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO CONNECT IN LARGER GROUP SETTINGS WHILE THEY EXPLORE AND CREATE ALONGSIDE PEERS. DESIGNED AND OVERSEEN BY LICENSED SPECIAL EDUCATORS, THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOCUS ON PEER TO PEER CONNECTIONS, DEVELOPING SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO ENGAGE AND INTERACT WHEN OUT IN A COMMUNITY SETTING.
  3. DIGITAL ACADEMY PROGRAMMING PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH A CHANCE TO ENGAGE IN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS 3D MODELING, ANIMATION AND ADVANCED DIGITAL PAINTING. THIS PROVIDES A HIGHER LEVEL OF RIGOR FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE ABLE TO WORK WITH MORE INDEPENDENCE, NAVIGATE A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT INCLUDES DIGITAL WHITEBOARDS, AND ARE ABLE TO REFLECT AND ACT ON FEEDBACK.

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 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 February 2016.

    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 November 4, 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.