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Upstream International Inc

EIN 47-1896316 · Onalaska, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UPSTREAM INTERNATIONAL GRANTS MONEY TO ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND CHARITABLE RELIEF TO POOR, DISTRESSED, AND UNDERPRIVILEGED PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES. WE ASSIST AND EMPOWER THEM TO HELP THOSE IN NEED AND BECOME SUSTAINABLE, INDEPENDENT, AND PROUD.

Income
$449,415
Spending
$450,706
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
2
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$104,630, president

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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (1)
  1. $335,536 spent. EMPOWERING PEOPLE WHO HELP PEOPLE - THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS OUT WORLD CHANGERS AND DIFFERENCE MAKERS AROUND THE GLOBE AND EQUIPS THEM TO FULFILL THEIR UNIQUE PURPOSE. THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS HELPING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES IN NEED AND EMPOWERS THEM TO BECOME SUSTAINABLE, INDEPENDENT, AND PROUD. HOW AND WHERE THE ORGANIZATION CONTRIBUTES IS BASED ON THE CULTURAL CHALLENGES AND STRENGTHS OF A COMMUNITY AS DEFINED BY ITS MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE--THE PEOPLE. THE ORGANIZATION USES DONOR SUPPORT TO BUILD SCHOOLS, PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, CREATE SUSTAINABLE FOOD PROGRAMS, PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, PLANT AND GROW CHURCHES, HOST MISSION TRIPS, AND IMPROVE THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.AS WE REFLECT ON ALL THAT GOD HAS ALLOWED US TO BE A PART OF THIS YEAR, WE ARE DEEPLY HUMBLED BY HIS UNWAVERING FAITHFULNESS AND THE INCREDIBLE GENEROSITY OF OUR UPSTREAM DONORS. THOSE WE SERVE DEPEND ON GOD'S PROVISION, DELIVERED THROUGH THE HANDS OF HIS PEOPLE. IT'S BECAUSE OF OUR DONORS THAT UPSTREAM IS ABLE TO STEP IN AND MEET THE NEEDS DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. THIS INCLUDES 486 STUDENTS SERVED AT OUR SCHOOL, OVER 375,000 MEALS PROVIDED, AND OVER 6,200 SALVATIONS ACROSS THE CHURCHES WE SUPPORT IN 2024.AS HAITI FACES PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL CHALLENGES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE PREVALENCE OF VOODOO AND VIOLENCE, UPSTREAM CONTINUES TO PRIORITIZE THEOLOGY AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BIBLICAL CHURCHES. THIS YEAR, WE PLANTED 2 NEW CHURCHES, EXPANDING OUR OUTREACH AND STRENGTHENING LOCAL COMMUNITIES. AT THE SAME TIME, FAMILIES FROM ACROSS HAITI ARE GRAPPLING WITH SEVERE FOOD AND WATER CRISIS. ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER IS ESSENTIAL FOR SURVIVAL, AND WITHOUT IT, PEOPLE ARE AT GREATER RISK OF DEHYDRATION, ILLNESS, AND DEATH. MEETING THESE BASIC NEEDS IS VITAL FOR THE HEALTH AND RESILIENCE OF THESE COMMUNITIES SO UPSTREAM SUPPORTED THE PROVISION OF OVER 1.7 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.UPSTREAM ALSO CONTINUES TO SPONSOR THE BETTER THAN BULLETS PROGRAM TRAINING 136 STUDENTS 3 DAYS A WEEK WITH 4 INSTRUCTORS - ALL TO KEEP KIDS OUT OF THE LOCAL GANGS AND BUILD CONFIDENCE AND STRENGTH IN SELF AND THE COMMUNITY. THIS IS ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES THAT UPSTREAM PARTNERS WITH OTHERS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR HAITIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

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 July 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 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.