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Shelter Development Inc

EIN 47-1538865 · La Crosse, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SHELTER DEVELOPMENT, INC. IS TO CREATE LOCAL HOUSING SOLUTIONS THAT PUT PEOPLE FIRST AND ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY. THIS MISSION IS SERVED BY PROGRAMMING INCLUDING, THE EXCHANGE, LA CROSSE AREA FURNITURE BANK, AND FRANCIS HOMES PROGRAM. THE EXCHANGE PROGRAM SEEKS TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY DONATED BASIC HOUSEHOLD ITEMS TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED, WHILE THE FRANCIS HOMES PROGRAM SEEKS TO PROVIDE STABLE HOUSING FOR HOUSEHOLDS AT THE RISK OF ENTERING INTO A LITERALLY HOMELESS SITUATION.

Income
$209,066
Spending
$243,788
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-26.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
5

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

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 9 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.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $94,570 spent. FRANCIS HOMES ACQUISITION, MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT EXPENSES ARE NECESSARY TO THE SUCCESS OF SHELTER DEVELOPEMENT'S MISSON TO CREATE HOUSING SOLUTIONS THAT PUT PEOPLE FIRST AND ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY. SUCH EXPENSES SUPPORT STABLE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR HOUSEHOLDS AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS.
  2. $81,532 spent. SALARIES AND WAGES- IT IS NECESSARY TO INCUR SALARIES AND WAGE EXPENSE FOR THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND ASSITANTS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR CHARITABLE MISSION STATEMENT OF PROVIDING SERVICES INTENDED TO END HOMELESSNESS. PAID STAFF POSITIONS SUPPORT EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, COORDINATION, VOLUNTEER WORKFORCE SUPPORT, ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES AND DIRECT CLIENT/ PARTNER COMMUNICATION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF PROGRAMMING AND DELIVER QUALITY SERVICES TO THOSE EXPERIENCING HARDSHIPS INCLUDING HOMELESSNESS.
  3. $24,087 spent. THE EXCHANGE SERVES AS THE LA CROSSE AREA CHARTIABLE FURNITURE BANK PROGRAM WITHIN THE SHELTER DEVELOPEMENT AGENCY. THE EXCHANGE RECEVIES ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY DONATED HOUSEHOLD GOODS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND WORKS WITH MORE THAN 30 LOCAL NON PROFIT PARTNERS TO DISTRIBUTE THESE NEEDED HOUSEHOLD ITEMS TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP SUCH AS HOMLESSNESS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND AGING/DISABILITY.

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 March 2015.

    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.

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