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Wisconsin County Highway Association

EIN 80-0983766 · Monona, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WISCONSIN'S 72 COUNTIES PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN OUR STATE'S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE 19,700-MILE COUNTY TRUNK HIGHWAY SYSTEM. WE ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE 11,800-MILE STATE TRUNK HIGHWAY SYSTEM AND INTERSTATE SYSTEM UNDER THE OVERSIGHT OF THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.THE WCHA REPRESENTS WISCONSIN'S 72 COUNTY HIGHWAY AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS AND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION.

Income
$675,298
Spending
$796,567
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
2
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$123,113, 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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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, 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 (1)
  1. $561,453 spent. WISCONSIN'S 72 COUNTIES PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN OUR STATE'S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE 19,700-MILE COUNTY TRUNK HIGHWAY SYSTEM. WE ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE 11,800-MILE STATE TRUNK HIGHWAY SYSTEM AND INTERSTATE SYSTEM UNDER THE OVERSIGHT OF THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.THE WCHA REPRESENTS WISCONSIN'S 72 COUNTY HIGHWAY AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS AND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION.DURING 2025, WCHA HELD THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:WINTER ROAD SCHOOL - 333 ATTENDEESSPRING COMMISSIONER'S TRAINING - 76 ATTENDEESSUMMER ROAD SCHOOL - 391 ATTENDEESLDG ROAD SCHOOL - 344 ATTENDEESSNOW FIGHTER TRAINING - 124 ATTENDEESFALL COMMISSIONER'S TRAINING - 77 ATTENDEESPESTICIDE CERTIFICATION REVIEW COURSE - 59 ATTENDEES

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.