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Cathedral Center Inc

EIN 74-3038890 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CATHEDRAL CENTER'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES, WHILE WORKING TO END HOMELESSNESS ONE LIFE AT A TIME. THE CATHEDRAL CENTER SERVES UNACCOMPANIED WOMEN AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WHO ARE HOMELESS OR EXPERIENCING A HOUSING CRISIS PRIMARILY FROM THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY AREA, THOUGH MAY COME FROM ANY GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
58
Volunteers
604
Highest pay
$185,619, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $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

    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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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. $1.4 million spent. SHELTER - EMERGENCY SHELTER: IN 2025, CATHEDRAL CENTER PROVIDED 15,232 NIGHTS OF EMERGENCY SHELTER TO 195 WOMEN AND 50 FAMILIES COMPRISED OF 60 ADULTS AND 85 CHILDREN, RESULTING IN AN OCCUPANCY RATE OF 77%. WE MAINTAINED OCCUPANCY, EVEN DURING A 6 WEEK PERIOD IN WHICH GUESTS WERE SERVED AT AN ALTERNATE LOCATION, DUE TO SIGNIFICANT BUILDING DAMAGE DURING HISTORIC STORMS. SHELTER SERVICES INCLUDE ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES THAT BEINGS WITH AN ASSESSMENT AND INLCUES PROVIDING GUESTS WITH TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO REACH GOALS FOCUSED ON SECURING SAFE HOUSING, INCREASING INCOME AND HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. CASE MANAGERS PROVIDE REFERRALS TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS SUPPORT GUESTS INTERNALLY WITH MEETING BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS CLOTHING, FOOD AND TRANSPORTATION, AS WELL AS EMPLOYMENT AND PARENT SUPPORT. SHELTER STAFF PROVIDE DAILY MEALS, HYGIENE ITEMS AND ENSURE SAFETY AND SUPPORT DURING THEIR TEMPORARY SHELTER STAY.
  2. $641,866 spent. FRIENDSHIP HOUSE - EMERGENCY HOUSING: OUR FRIENDSHIP HOUSE PROGRAM PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL 6421 NIGHTS OF SAFE EMERGENCY HOUSING TO 10 WOMEN AND 14 FAMILIES WITH 18 ADULTS AND 29 CHILDREN. OUR FLEXIBLE HOUSING PROGRAM MODEL IS VERY SUCCESSFUL AND RESULTED IN 86% OF ALL WOMEN AND 100% OF ALL FAMILIES WHO EXITED, LEFT TO A SAFE PLACEMENT. OUR FLEXIBLE EMERGENCY HOUSING PROGRAM INCLUDES CLINICAL CASE MANAGEMENT, PARENTING SUPPORT, TRAUMA HEALING, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MORE. DAILY MEALS ARE OFFERED, AS WELL AS SUPPORT FOR PARENTS WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
  3. $360,893 spent. CASE MANAGEMENT - HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES: IN 2025 CATHEDRAL CENTER'S HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM SERVED 55 UNACCOMPANIED WOMEN AND 89 FAMILIES WITH 100 ADULTS AND 230 CHILDREN. OF THOSE SERVED, 98% WERE SUCCESSFULLY SUPPORTED TO AVOID LITERAL HOMELESSNESS, THROUGH SERVICES THAT FOCUSED ON STABILIZING THEIR CURRENT HOUSING WHILE WORKING ON GOALS TO SECURE LONG TERM SAFE HOUSING. IMPLEMENTING OUR FLEXIBLE HOUSING MODEL OF SERVICE DELIVERY, WOMEN AND FAMILIES RECEIVING THIS CRITICAL PREVENTION SUPPORT ARE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE BREADTH OF SERVICES THEY NEED AND THE DURATION IN WHICH THEY WILL REMAIN ACTIVE IN OUR PROGRAM WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING THEM TO AVOID THE NEED FOR A SHELTER STAY ALTOGETHER.

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 2002.

    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.