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Peer Specialists Limited

EIN 86-2937896 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE THE WORK, PRACTICE, AND UTILIZATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE IN SUPPORTING WELLNESS AND RECOVERY OF THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE NEEDS.

Income
$367,870
Spending
$399,073
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
9
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$82,074, general manager

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

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 188% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 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

    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, 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 (4)
  1. $154,534 spent. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM: MADE UP OF THREE KEY PILLARS, THE PROGRAM ENGAGES FAMILIES IN CARE AND SERVICES THROUGH THE VALUABLE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF PARENT PEER SPECIALISTS. ENGAGEMENT IS FOCUSED ON LISTENING TO THE FAMILY'S UNIQUE JOURNEY AND DEVELOPING A SUPPORTIVE PLAN WITH THE FAMILY'S TEAM TO MEET IDENTIFIED NEEDS. ADVOCACY SERVICES AMPLIFY FAMILY VOICES, ENSURING FAMILIES ARE HEARD IN DECISIONS THAT IMPACT THEIR LIVES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES RESOURCES AND SUPPORT, HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE COMPLEX SYSTEMS, ADVOCATE FOR RESOURCES, AND DRIVE COMMUNITY-DRIVEN CHANGE. THE FAMILY GOVERNANCE COUNCIL IS COMPRISED OF FAMILIES AND YOUTH SERVED BY CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, THE WRAPAROUND MILWAUKEE SYSTEM OF CARE, AND SYSTEM PARTNERS. THE FAMILY GOVERNANCE COUNCIL DEVELOPS A PLAN OF ACTION AND MOVES FORWARD A SET OF RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SYSTEM FUNCTIONING OR ADDRESS SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS AND NEEDS.
  2. $139,548 spent. PROJECT WISE TEEN OUTREACH PROGRAM: EQUIPS TEENS WITH DECISION-MAKING TOOLS AND PEER SUPPORT TO RESIST PEER PRESSURE. USING THE WYMAN TEEN OUTREACH PROGRAM, THE PROGRAM FOSTERS RESILIENCE AND COMMUNITY AMONG YOUTH THROUGH A SPECIALIZED CURRICULUM FACILITATED BY TRAINED INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $24,438 spent. PARENT PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM: EMPOWERS PARENTS THROUGH THE WISDOM OF LIVED EXPERIENCE AND OFFERING COMPASSIONATE AND PRACTICAL GUIDANCE TO NAVIGATE FAMILY NEEDS. SERVICES INCLUDE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT, GROUP SESSIONS, AND WORKSHOPS TAILORED TO DIVERSE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY NEEDS.
  4. $16,744 spent. CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION - YOUTH CONNECTIONS - MONTHLY WORKSHOPS, MENTORSHIP, AND PEER-FED DISCUSSIONS SUPPORT TEENS IN BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE AND DECISION-MAKING SKILLS, HELPING THEM NAVIGATE ADOLESCENCE WITH RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH. PARENT CAFES - OPPORTUNITIES TO STRENGTHEN PARENTS THROUGH CONNECTION BY SHARING THEIR STORIES AND COLLECTIVELY DEVELOPING STRATEGIES. DESIGNED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES HEALING, BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THEIR FAMILY STRUCTURE, AND FOSTER NURTURING ENVIRONMENTS. WELLNESS RECOVERY ACTION PLANNING - A 16-HOUR, EVIDENCE-BASED WORKSHOP THAT PROMOTES DIGNITY AND SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE NEEDS IN ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING WELLNESS.

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 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 2024.

    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.