Wisconsin Independent Learning College Inc.
Mission:
Autism specific programs - ages 18 and over - providing daily living skills pre-vocational training utilizing academics and various modes to teach communication skills. Approx ... (More)
www.wisconsinilc.org
| PO BOX 851 Waukesha WI 53187-0851
Wisconsin Independent Learning College Inc. is headquartered in Waukesha, WI, and is a 501(c)(3) organization. EIN: 45-4309128. Donations are tax-deductible. The IRS NTEE classification code is B28, Specialized Education Institutions within the Educational Institutions and Related Activities category. The IRS ruling year for tax exemption was 2013.
(Source: IRS Business Master File and Form 990)
Encompass Rating System by Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator’s Encompass Rating System evolves on a quarterly basis as we add new measures and indicators, which we call Beacons. Check back often to see how this organization’s score changes.
Learn about the Encompass Rating System: Announcement | FAQ | Release Notes
Overall Score
BETA
Not Scored
Encompass Scores are calculated from one or more Beacon Scores. This organization is either not eligible for a Beacon (see below), or that Beacon is not yet available.
This organization is ineligible for a Finance & Accountability score. Find out why.
This organization is ineligible for a Impact & Results score. Find out why.
Finance & Accountability
Charity Navigator evaluates a nonprofit organization’s financial health including measures of stability, efficiency and sustainability. We also track accountability and transparency policies to ensure the good governance and integrity of the organization.
No Score
We have not issued this nonprofit a Finance & Accountability score. This does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, only that we have not reached a conclusion for the following reason:
This organization cannot be evaluated by our Encompass Rating methodology due to only having one year of electronically-filed IRS Form 990 data.
To ensure year-to-year consistency the Encompass Rating System’s Finance & Accountability beacon analyzes the three-year average of some data provided through the IRS 990.
Charity Navigator currently only has one year of consecutive e-filed Forms 990 from the IRS for Wisconsin Independent Learning College Inc. under the EIN: 45-4309128.
Before Charity Navigator can evaluate this organization, Wisconsin Independent Learning College Inc. will need to e-file for additional fiscal years.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Total Revenue and Expenses
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons
Presented here are up to five of the highest compensated employees listed on page 7 of the IRS Form 990. This compensation data is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts include salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting here.
LINDA SUMWALT, PRESIDENT
$0
PAM JOY, VICE PRESIDENT
$0
ANN VOGEL, TREASURER
$0
KATHY WEIDENMAN, DIRECTOR
$0
TOD FRISKE, DIRECTOR
$0
Source: IRS Form 990, filing year 2018
Business Master File Data
The Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) includes cumulative information the IRS collects and displays for all exempt organizations. The data is updated monthly. Below are some key data points from the BMF for this organization. View information about the BMF on the IRS website here.
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
Foundation Status:
School 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) (BMF foundation code: 11)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
Data Sources: IRS Forms 990
The IRS Form 990 is the source of the finance and accountability data used within the Encompass Rating System. When an organization is eligible for a Finance & Accountability beacon score, each metric is based on elements of the 990. Some metrics are based on the most recent available filing, while others are based on averages of values over multiple years. We provide links to all available 990s here, whether or not this organization is eligible for a Finance & Accountability score.
IRS Forms 990 are provided courtesy of Foundation Center.
Impact & Results
Charity Navigator assesses how well a nonprofit delivers on its mission. To issue an Impact & Results score, we estimate the actual impact a nonprofit has on the lives of those it serves, and determine whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
No Score
We have not issued this nonprofit an Impact & Results score. This does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, only that we have not reached a conclusion for one of the following reasons:
The nonprofit is eligible for a score, but we have not yet gotten to scoring it.
The nonprofit is eligible for a score, but we have not yet developed the specific algorithms to estimate the impact of the type of service it delivers and so cannot issue a score yet.
The nonprofit does not primarily deliver services directly to beneficiaries or it is not reasonable to expect the nonprofit to measure impact for its primary activity. The impact analysis framework that we use is not well suited to these nonprofits.
The nonprofit is not heavily reliant on individual donors because beneficiaries fund a majority of its costs or it does not receive any private charitable contributions.
Do you work at Wisconsin Independent Learning College Inc.? Share your impact data to request a score.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
Wisconsin Independent Learning College Inc. reported its largest program on its FY 2018 Form 990 as:
$367,847
Spent in most recent FY
99%
Percent of program expenses
Autism specific programs - ages 18 and over - providing daily living skills pre-vocational training utilizing academics and various modes to teach communication skills. Approximately 13 students benef ... (More)
GuideStar Seal of Transparency
Gold
GuideStar is Charity Navigator's trusted partner in sharing information on how this organization seeks impact. GuideStar has recognized this organization with a Gold Seal of Transparency for voluntarily and publicly describing their goals, strategies, and accomplishments. Click here for more information.
Note: GuideStar Seals do not effect the nonprofit’s Impact & Results Score.
What is your organization aiming to accomplish?
Wisconsin Independent Learning Colleges goal is for every student with autism is to be recognized as intelligent and although challenged with a disability to be as independent in their life as they can be, no matter what the degree of disability they have as young adults. Our expectation is that every student be given opportunities to developing skills toward part to full time employment by providing programs and strategies to meet their unique sensory and communication needs. This builds a foundation for success. With respect and understanding, each student works on daily living such as learning to prepare healthy family meals and snacks no matter if food sensitivities exist, such as gluten and casein free, and other allergen restrictions. Students learn basic self care and personal safety. They learn how to accomplish goal setting and planning for home and work. Each student works with staff and peers to improve communication through structured augmented educational approaches if needed. Use of technology to enhance their communication is practiced to mastery. We work with WI Workforce Development at Waukesha County Technical College for Computer Training and practice skills at school to gain proficiency and practicing at WILC. By expanding student's basic daily living skills, meeting sensory needs and Proprioception which refers to the body's ability to perceive its own position in space, learning prevocational skills leading to job skills, practicing social and recreational experiences at school, in the community and in vocational settings, student's skill progress increases and is generalized across settings to a goal of proficiency to mastery. We are currently working with one of our students attending Carroll University as a part time student auditing a prevocational course. Continually expanding each young adult's experiences and exposing them to challenging activities in varied settings allows for time to learn skills. We provide many opportunities for community volunteerism, multiple prevocational and vocational experiences and paid work at or above minimum wage increasing each student's confidence, self esteem and expectations to be full citizens of their home community and the world.
What are your strategies for making this happen?
WILC Board Meetings are held the third Wednesday at 4:30 to 6:00 pm of every month since 2012. The Executive Director's Report /Monthly Board Meeting Agenda are available upon request. Visionary Meetings are held every three years to determine and update one, three and five year plans for the school involving the WILC Board, Executive, and Vocational and Program Coordinator. Our 2019-2020 Vision Committee meets monthly to update our goals and is facilitated by a non WILC leader community mediator. Weekly staff meetings and planning is built in throughout the weekly schedule. Staff Development is scheduled during non school times for specific trainings. Our staff attends a variety of professional conferences including the Autism Society of Wisconsin, Employment / Vocational Trainings, and Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Conferences and DVR Training Meetings. Many educational strategies are implemented to meet the unique educational and sensory needs of our students with autism. Art and Music Therapy, yoga, student self massage and meditation, and various augmented communication methods including written, verbal and nonverbal techniques / strategies for students. Rapid Prompting Method, an educational technique that leads to communication using choices and letter boards and text to speech on tablets and or computers improves the overall communication levels for many of our non-verbal students with autism. Using technology, including Open Educational Resources, The Great Courses, technology training, local technical college and universities, and WI Workforce Development computer training, Carroll University audit courses, and current events: Ted Talks and daily news, and use of text to speech software and technology are integrated into all activities. Sensory needs are crucial and various strategies are used to reduce an individual's anxiety that is often part of each students daily life. Use of visual scheduling and daily planning involves each student in choices of leisure and recreational activities, empowering them in decision making and language and communication lessons. Allowing for sensory needs such as verbal and non verbal prompts, using LED lighting vs. fluorescent lights in our educational areas which can trigger seizures for some students, option of weighted blankets for sensory regulation, hot / cold pads, student choices of herbal teas / juice or water during the school day, meeting unique dietary restrictions, and special sensory rooms decrease anxiety. Organic gardening provides students learning experiences from seed planting to harvesting, food preparation which may include fresh, freezing and canning vegetables, fruits, and herbs. We focus on gluten / casein free ingredients when required. We provide varied schedules to better meet the needs of each student for attendance, transportation, and their daily schedules as needed. These are just some of our strategies and activities for WILC.
What are your organization's capabilities for doing this?
Located in Waukesha, WI, centrally located city in southeastern Wisconsin has increases opportunities for employment for our students. Our organization leases our renovated 6000 sq ft. ADA compliant one story building to meet the unique health, sensory, and educational needs of individuals with autism. Contractors and many volunteer hours helped to create a sensory sensitive building bringing to code unique setting for adults with autism. In 2017 the WILC Board created a separate nonprofit LLC that then purchased our facility and has provided a locked in long term, reasonable lease to WILC which ensures the future sustainability and availability of a centralized and updated location in southeastern Wisconsin for present and future adults with autism. WILC's educational day program draws students from multiple southeastern counties in Wisconsin including Waukesha, Milwaukee, Washington, Racine, and Walworth Counties presently. We attend many area School Transition Fairs, present at individual schools, and Autism related conferences. WILC often is a resource consultant and advocate for families with autism, and local Wisconsin CESA / Cooperative Educational Service Agencies to families and educators. For 2020 statewide Autism Conference, staff is attending, and the WILC Executive Director was asked to attend and be part of an Autism Post Secondary Option Panel. WILC belongs to the Waukesha County Business Alliance, and the Waukesha Chamber of Commerce.2012-2016 Waterford Chamber of Commerce member. We also provide informational assistance to families seeking post secondary programming resources that may better meet the needs of other families of adults and children with autism. We are part of the new Community Resource Network in Wisconsin created in 2019.
How will your organization know if you are making progress?
The WILC Annual Meeting is held in January of each year at our Waukesha facility for and with Students/Families, Caretakers, Service Providers, WILC Board, staff, business partners, and to the public to review finances, improvements and goals for each year. We provide an annual report and presentation and recognize business partners and volunteers. We updated school website https://www.wisconsinilc.org in 2019 . Our WILC Federal 990 filing / financial records from 2013 to present and other important financial documents, along with Annual Reports are available to provide transparency. Included are local news articles about our students and the school. Posting of new programs and events is done monthly. Family Updates are sent out multiple times a month and open communication including face to face meetings, semester parent conferences and allow IRIS consultants, DVR Counselors, or caretakers to participate and tour our school. We email, phone, text contacts with families and caretakers to meet the needs of the students daily. Social media postings on WILC Facebook are done weekly. Each September we hold an Open House annually. Private tours are arranged for families, educators, and students. The first Friday in November of each year we hold the WILC Annual Gala that involves families, staff, students, business partners, and other supporters which is open to the public as one of our fundraisers. We provide all businesses and individuals who donate, letters of thanks for their donation and tax record and updates and descriptions of current programs and improvement and social media recognition. We encourage all to visit our facility or contact us at 262-332-7334 or email us at https://wisconsinilc.org/contact/ for more information. WI IRIS consultants and and WI DVR counselors are invited to observe their clients who are WILC students at our school and participate in conference meetings. Each January is our Annual Meeting, and September our Annual Open House open to the public, families, students, educators, disability providers to visit, tour and meet staff and the WILC board of directors.
What have and haven't you accomplished so far?
In 2012, Wisconsin Independent Learning College opened in Waterford, Wisconsin at a single apartment setting for daily living and prevocational skills as an WI IRIS vendor. A five person Board of Directors, two staff and three students comprised the first year. Staffing included an Executive Administrator at three quarter time and a half time Administrative Director. Part time support staff member was hired. In 2013 the school expansion to six students, some attending part or full time allowed for an expansion to include a second adjacent apartment setting. In 2014, a change in leadership led to a new full time Executive Director, full time Lead Instructor, and two part to full time support staff hired. Expansion to include more community opportunities, students allowed to attend one to five days a week 8:00 to 4:30 pm, and year round programming was available. 2015 Vision Planning Meeting by the Board and Directors determined that a more centralized and larger facility was needed for future expansion. WILC moved from Racine to Waukesha County in 2016. In January 2016 the board signed a lease with option to purchase our current 6000 square foot facility with outdoor planting and ample parking. After initial renovations and improvements were completed, we moved from Waterford to Waukesha, WI June 2016. Renovations of existing restrooms and building an additional ADA restroom were completed. Student population expanded over 50% that year and additional staff hired. In 2016 WILC became a WI Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Vendor to provide supportive employment for individuals with autism. The WILC Board established 1936 MacArthur Inc. to purchase the renovated building in late 2017. We began building a larger kitchen / student work area, updated all office areas to meet ADA requirements, and additional organic raised bed gardening. Volunteerism, community outings, and vocational programming were expanded. By 2018, WILC had a 85% successful vocational hiring rate for students with WILC educational training and Department of Vocational Rehabilitation DVR Supportive Employment which is above the state and national average for individuals with autism. In summer of 2018 we added a DVR Customized Employment option, two students graduated and four new students joined us. 2019 updated internet/security, smart boards, smart tv, the new Student Training Kitchen, and purchased a transportation eight passenger van, and added four new students. Interactive technology whiteboards for multimedia instruction have been added. As students graduate or reduce their attendance with us due to their paid work schedules, we open new student opportunities. Over 80% of our students are involved in paid work experiences and or paid permanent part time employment. We continue to expand programs for our young adults to grow as fully involved citizens. In12/2019 we added a 12 passenger van for community outings. 2020 we added a full laundry area.
GlobalGiving
GlobalGiving Badge not earned
GlobalGiving is the largest global crowdfunding community connecting nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country. For donors, GlobalGiving provides an additional layer of vetting and due diligence for each of its nonprofit partners every two years, which may include site visit verification. Learn more about GlobalGiving.
Note: GlobalGiving Badges do not effect the nonprofit’s Impact & Results score.
Leadership & Adaptability
Charity Navigator will provide an assessment of the organization’s leadership capacity, strategic planning, and the ability to readily innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization’s mission.
Culture & Community
Charity Navigator will provide an assessment of the organization’s people operations, its engagement with the constituents served, and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) measures.
Culture & Community Score (BETA)
Coming Soon
Encompass Rating Beta V2 does not provide an evaluation of the organization's culture and community. Beta V3 will provide an evaluation of Constituent Feedback and Listening Practices. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile. This data will provide the basis for the initial evaluation of Culture & Community. Other measures will be added later in the year.
Additional Information
Unscored
This beta feature is currently viewable only on desktop or tablet screens. Check back later for updates.
Constituent Feedback
Here's how this organization is listening and learning from the people they serve:
Why It Matters
Like the Encompass Rating System, the Culture & Community Beacon is designed to evolve as relevant metrics are developed and ready for integration. Our partnership with Feedback Labs and Guidestar by Candid, and other partners including Fund for Shared Insight, GlobalGiving and Keystone Accountability, enables us to launch the first version of this beacon with Constituent Feedback information collected on Candid's site.
Feedback practices have been shown to support better Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion outcomes, an essential area of assessment that we intend to further expand and develop in the future. Feedback Labs has documented several studies which indicate that beyond achieving organizational goals, nonprofits that are attentive and responsive to concerns and ideas raised by beneficiaries establish stronger relationships with the people they serve, promote greater equity, and empower constituents in ways that can help to ensure better long-term outcomes. You can find resources to help nonprofits improve their feedback practices here.
