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Embolden Wi Inc

EIN 80-0287566 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMBOLDEN WI AMPLIFIES AND CATALYZES INNOVATIVE HEALTH EQUITY AND CIVIC HEALTH ADVOCACY PROGRAMS IN WISCONSIN.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
129
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$94,846, founder & 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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. $1.0 million spent. PROVIDERS AND TEENS COMMUNICATING FOR HEALTH (PATCH): YOUTH-DRIVEN PROGRAM, WE EDUCATE, ENGAGE, AND EMPOWER YOUTH TO HELP CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE. WE WORK DIRECTLY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE TO ENSURE YOUTH VOICE IS INCLUDED IN DECISIONS THAT AFFECT YOUNG PEOPLE, TO IMPORVE ADOLESCENT HEALTH CARE QUALITY, AND TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THEIR GENERATION.
  2. ENGAGING COMMUNITIES TO CHANGE HEALTH OUTCOMES (ECCHO): ECCHO IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTCOMES IN DANE, MILWAUKEE, AND ROCK COUNTY BY EQUIPPING AND ENGAGING RESIDENTS WHO FACE THE GREATEST HEALTH CHALLENGES. THE PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY-BASED LEADERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING THAT ELEVATES THE VOICES AND EXPERIENCES OF THOSE MOST DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY HEALTH DISPARITIES. BY INVESTING IN AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES, ECCHO WORKS TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL SYSTEMS AND PROMOTE HEALTHIER FUTURES FOR ALL.
  3. EMBOLDEN SERVES AS AN EQUITABLE HUB AND ADMINISTRATIVE BACKBONE FOR CHARITABLE PROJECTS IN WISCONSIN. THROUGH FISCAL SPONSORSHIP, WE GIVE VISIONARY LEADERS THE STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BRING THEIR MISSIONS TO LIFE. WE HANDLE THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, COMPLIANCE, AND ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS SO THAT THEY CAN FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS MOST: FUNDRAISING, SERVING COMMUNITIES, AND DRIVING CHANGE.

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 December 2009.

    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.