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Focused Interruption Inc

EIN 87-3784685 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO ADDRESS AND REDUCE GENERATIONAL TRAUMA CAUSED BY GUN VIOLENCE THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH. WE FOCUS ON DELIVERING EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION SERVICES TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUALS, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND FAMILIES MOST IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE. BY INTEGRATING THESE SERVICES, WE AIM TO FOSTER HEALING AND RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITIES, EMPOWERING THEM TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 59%
Employees
25
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$110,000, chief executive officer & president/chair

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 98% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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

    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

    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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.0 million spent. FOCUSED INTERRUPTION, INC. IS A COMMUNITY-ROOTED ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO REDUCING VIOLENCE, PROMOTING HEALING, AND FOSTERING RESILIENCE THROUGH CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, TRAUMA-INFORMED PROGRAMMING. GUIDED BY THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, WE ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE AND INEQUITY BY OFFERING SERVICES THAT PROMOTE LONG-TERM STABILITY AND WELL-BEING. OUR WORK CENTERS AROUND FIVE KEY AREAS: OUTREACH, COMMUNITY SAFETY WORK, MENTORSHIP, AFTERCARE AND RECOVERY, AND SUPPORT GROUPS. WE PROVIDE SERVICES SUCH AS CRISIS RESPONSE, PEER MENTORSHIP, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT, JOB READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, HOUSING SUPPORT, LEGAL AID NAVIGATION, AND ACCESS TO BASIC NEEDS. THROUGH STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS, LOCAL AGENCIES, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, WE EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO HEAL, THRIVE, AND CONTRIBUTE TO SAFER, MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITIES.

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 August 2022.

    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.