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Access Ability Wisconsin

EIN 82-1716438 · Mineral Point, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ACCESS ABILITY WISCONSIN, INC (AAW)'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES TO PROMOTE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT MOBILITY CHALLENGES (SUCH AS INJURIES RESULTING IN PARALYSIS) TO EXPERIENCE NATURE JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. BY PROVIDING ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT AND EDUCATION, AAW PROMOTES PARTICIPATION, LEADERSHIP, AND HOLISTIC WELL-BEING. OUR CLIENTS REPORT SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN INDEPENDENCE, DIGNITY, AND FREEDOM ALONG WITH THE ABILITY TO EXPERIENCE THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS OR ON THEIR OWN.

Income
$306,971
Spending
$291,449
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
22.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
5
Volunteers
78
Highest pay
$67,983, business manager

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $96,845 spent. INDIVIDUALS - WE PROVIDE FOR FREE (WITH A SMALL REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT), AN OUTDOOR WHEELCHAIR (OWC) & ENCLOSED TRAILER THAT ONLY INDIVIDUALS WITH MOBILITY CHALLENGES AND DISABILITIES CAN USE TO EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS. AAW'S MODEL IS UNIQUE IN THAT THE INDIVIDUALS CAN RESERVE EQUIPMENT AND TAKE IT WHEREVER THEY WANT TO GO WITH IT OR USE IT ON-SITE AT CERTAIN NETWORK PARTNER LOCATIONS. AAW'S FLEET CONSISTS OF 34 OWCS AND 28 TRAILERS. THE FLEET INCLUDES EVENT TRAILERS THAT HOLD MULTIPLE OWCS. SINCE INCEPTION, OVER 1,000-1,500 PEOPLE PER YEAR HAVE DIRECTLY BENEFITED FROM OUR PROGRAMS IN 2024. AAW'S NETWORK OF LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN 13 WI COUNTIES FACILITATES OUR HOSTING PROGRAM. THIS MAKES AAW EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL USE.
  2. $93,221 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - OUR COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO COLLABORATE ON HOW TO BLEND AND MARKET "OUTDOOR ACCESS 4 ALL!" WITHIN THEIR PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE SERVICES TO INCREASE HEALTH AND WELLNESS BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPERIENCE NATURE AND ACCESS THE GREAT OUTDOORS. THIS EDUCATION AND COLLABORATION HELP LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS REACH VISITORS AND RESIDENTS OF ALL ABILITIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES SO THEY CAN INCLUDE THEM IN THE OUTDOOR PROGRAMMING. AAW'S IMPACT IN 2024 WAS OVER 50,000 PEOPLE LEARNING AAW'S MISSION AND GOALS BY ATTENDING AND CO-HOSTING EVENTS.
  3. $61,350 spent. PROGRAM EDUCATION (FOR ALL AGES TO BE PARTICIPANTS AND LEADERS) - EQUITY, ACCESS AND INCLUSION ARE RARELY IMPLEMENTED IN EXISTING CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL AND OUTDOOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY. AAW LEADERS AND STAFF FOCUS ON EDUCATING THE BOARDS, TEACHERS, AND LEADERS OF THESE EXISTING PROGRAMS. WHEN THE AAW TEAM SUCCESSFULLY SHARES AND TEACHES OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT OUR PROGRAMMING (VETERANS, YOUTH, OLDER ADULTS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, HOSTING, AND PEER MENTORING ACTION), THESE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT ACCESS, PARTICIPATION, LEADERSHIP, AND HOLISTIC WELL-BEING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MOBILITY CHALLENGES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

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 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 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 June 2017.

    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.