Freshair Collective
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 20% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To collect accurate data, foster meaningful community engagement, and drive action to improve indoor and outdoor air quality in Milwaukee.
- Income
- $249,210
- Spending
- $154,990
- Spent on programs
- 20%
- Reserves
- 7.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 2
- Highest pay
- $33,924, co-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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.
Spending floor
0 of 1520% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $42,500 spent. DHS Minority Health Program Grant: the project addressed critical environmental justice issues exacerbated by poor air quality. It deployed an additional neighborhood-level air quality monitoring systems in targeted areas identified through comprehensive data analysis of the existing network. The expansion of this network equipped residents with real-time data on air pollutants, enabling them to make informed decisions to protect their health. Concurrently, the project developed and disseminated an evidence-based educational curriculum tailored to all age groups in the community. This curriculum covered the sources, impacts, and mitigation strategies of air pollution and was made accessible through both direct community engagement and on-demand online platforms. Additionally, the project introduced the Bad Air Badger, an innovative animatronic educational robot designed to raise awareness and engage community members effectively at various events. This tool, along with the educational programming and the first annual report summarizing air monitoring data, helped empower residents with the knowledge and advocacy tools needed to demand better environmental conditions.
- $33,000 spent. This project expanded MKE FreshAir Collectives work across outdoor air quality, indoor air quality, and indoor air contaminants. It included gathering community input through a resident survey to better understand local concerns and shape future education, programming, and project development. The project also strengthened the organizations air monitoring capacity by adding a near-reference sensor and continued the distribution of indoor air contaminant testing in prioritized Milwaukee neighborhoods with historically low testing rates. Grant runs from June 25-Jul 26 and all funds will be spent.
- $27,006 spent. This project is a community-led effort focused on documenting air quality concerns related to the proposed freeway expansion and helping residents better understand the potential health impacts. MKE FreshAir Collective works with community and partners to deploy air sensors near the corridor, share air quality information with residents, and support community education and advocacy. The project helps elevate environmental concerns, connect air pollution data to community health, and ensure residents have better access to information that could inform public discussion and policy decisions. Two year grant.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2023.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.