Nonprofit · EIN 39-1343425
INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC
Tax-exempt · MILWAUKEE, WI 53204
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $22,645,788 | $22,723,470 | -$77,682 | $17,332,181 | $3,420,316 | $13,911,865 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $23,992,310 | $24,229,748 | -$237,438 | $17,207,756 | $3,641,508 | $13,566,248 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $25,211,248 | $24,937,959 | $273,289 | $17,483,263 | $3,978,699 | $13,504,564 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,144,398
- of which government grants
- $940,892
- Program service revenue
- $19,819,513
- Investment income
- $661,455
- Net rental income
- $56,979
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $403,459
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$36,557
- Other revenue
- $20,422
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $725,626
- Other salaries and wages
- $15,826,461
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $20,217,867
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $33,419
- Accounting fees
- $63,750
- Occupancy
- $362,906
- Travel
- $55,059
- Depreciation
- $158,370
- Program services (functional)
- $18,129,029
- Management and general (functional)
- $4,193,299
- Fundraising (functional)
- $401,142
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $17,207,756
- Total assets, end of year
- $17,332,181
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $3,420,316
- Net assets, end of year
- $13,911,865
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $5,043,616
- Publicly traded securities
- $9,137,489
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $10,605,557
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $3,306,308
- Gross unrelated business income
- $8,380
- Gross receipts
- $24,392,221
- Employees
- 1,005
- Volunteers
- 118
- Year formed
- 1979
- State of legal domicile
- WI
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARCIA BOUCHER | PRESIDENT/CEO Officer | 40 | $258,710 | $26,694 |
| WENDY HUOT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $209,177 | $11,742 |
| KATHY ACEVEDO | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $187,850 | $31,453 |
| TRACY THOMAS | CONTROLLER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $153,987 | $28,651 |
| JACOB NOWAK | IT DIRECTOR/FACILITIES DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $124,294 | $49,321 |
| SAMANTHA HUDSON | PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,212 | $26,523 |
| SCOTT CURWICK | HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $112,556 | $17,818 |
| GERALD HAY | DIRECTOR OF INDEPENDENT LIVING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $108,338 | $19,108 |
| BILLIE TORRENT | DIRECTOR (FROM JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JACCI BORCHARDT | DIRECTOR (FROM JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELANIE PARE | DIRECTOR (FROM JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN RAMOS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BRAD HOLZ | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| KAWANZA NEWSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KENT WALTERS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
10 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN DZIEWA | DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARK CIESKO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ERIC DEGROOT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| WILLIAM CROWLEY | DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE BROOKS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PAUL WIERZBA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EMILY SIIRA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANNE SCHWARTZ | DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BEVERLY WALKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JAKEIM JACKSON-BELL | DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 26 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARCIA BOUCHER | PRESIDENT/CEO Officer | 40 | $245,894 | $24,448 |
| WENDY HUOT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $196,072 | $11,112 |
| KATHY ACEVEDO | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $177,021 | $27,954 |
| TRACY THOMAS | CONTROLLER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $149,309 | $23,769 |
| JACOB NOWAK | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR/FACILITIES DIRECTO Highest-paid employee | 40 | $120,289 | $43,924 |
| MYRA SANCHICK | MARKETING & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $123,514 | $28,469 |
| SAMANTHA HUDSON | PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $111,614 | $21,059 |
| SCOTT CURWICK | HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $109,442 | $15,337 |
| RYAN RAMOS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BRAD HOLZ | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| KAWANZA NEWSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KENT WALTERS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BILLIE TORRENTT | CHAIR (THRU JUNE 2024) Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID FRANK | TREASURER (THRU JUNE 2024) Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN DZIEWA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK CIESKO | DIRECTOR (FROM JUNE 2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC DEGROOT | DIRECTOR (FROM JUNE 2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM CROWLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE BROOKS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL WIERZBA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY SIIRA | DIRECTOR (FROM JUNE 2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE SCHWARTZ | DIRECTOR (FROM JUNE 2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BEVERLY WALKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAKEIM JACKSON-BELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN HUNT | DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE 2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT LUBER | DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE 2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 25 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARCIA BOUCHER | PRESIDENT/CEO Officer | 40 | $232,167 | $22,837 |
| WENDY HUOT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $183,773 | $16,420 |
| KATHY ACEVEDO | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $171,938 | $25,781 |
| TRACY THOMAS | CONTROLLER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $143,272 | $22,154 |
| JACOB NOWAK | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $116,549 | $40,672 |
| MYRA SANCHICK | MARKETING & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $117,875 | $26,365 |
| SCOTT CURWICK | HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $104,893 | $14,464 |
| CHARLES SMITH | ASSISTANT CONTROLLER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $100,386 | $17,363 |
| BILLIE TORRENTT | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN RAMOS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BRAD HOLZ | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID FRANK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN HUNT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT LUBER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN DZIEWA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAKEIM JACKSON-BELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM CROWLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAWANZA NEWSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BEVERLY WALKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KENT WALTERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL WIERZBA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE BROOKS | DIRECTOR (FROM JULY 2023) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOANNE WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE 2023) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES GUCKENBERG | DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE 2023) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SAMANTHA TADYCH | DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE 2023) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 540 S 1ST ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53204-1605
- In care of
- % INDE
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- MARCIA BOUCHER, 540 S 1ST ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 532041605
- Signed the 990
- MARCIA BOUCHER, PRESIDENT/CEO
- Phone
- (414) 291-7520
- Website
- WWW.INDEPENDENCEFIRST.ORG
- Return prepared by
- WEGNER CPAS LLP
Mission
INDEPENDENCE FIRST IS A NON-PROFIT 501C3 INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER (ILC) DIRECTED AND CONTROLLED BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, PRIMARILY SERVING THE FOUR COUNTY METROPOLITAN MILWAUKEE AREA. THE MISSION OF INDEPENDENCE FIRST, INC. IS TO EFFECTIVELY FACILITATE EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH THE CORE SERVICES OF: ADVOCACY; INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS; INFORMATION AND REFERRAL; PEER SUPPORT; AND TRANSITION.
Program accomplishments
- PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES PROVIDE PERSONAL CARE SERVICES AT HOME FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WITH RN SUPERVISION AND CASE MANAGEMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS. THESE SERVICES ASSIST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT IN THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN BE FORCED TO MOVE INTO AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING.Expenses $15,273,762 · revenue $19,480,536
- INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES PROVIDES SKILLS TRAINING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WITH EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO INCREASE THEIR ABILITY TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY. SKILLS TRAINING OFFERED INCLUDE TOPICS OF MONEY, HOME AND TIME MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, HOW TO BUILD SELF-ESTEEM, HOW TO SET GOALS AND MAKE GOOD DECISIONS, DEALING WITH CONFLICT AND ANGER, STRESS MANAGEMENT, ASSERTIVENESS, COMPUTER TRAINING, JUST TO NAME A FEW. INDIVIDUALS SET THEIR GOALS AND TRAINING ASSISTS THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ACHIEVING THEM.Expenses $2,152,276 · revenue $324,942
- WISLOAN AND TELEWORK - THIS PROGRAM IS AN ALTERNATIVE LOAN PROGRAM FOR WISCONSIN CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES WHO DESIRE TO PURCHASE ASSISTIVE DEVICES OR SERVICES.Expenses $210,960
- OTHER PROGRAMS - THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL KINDS IN ALL AGE GROUPS, AND PROVIDES PROGRAMS ON DISABILITY AWARENESS, EMPLOYMENT TIPS AND ACCESS TO THE GENERAL COMMUNITY.Expenses $492,031 · revenue $14,035
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 39-1343425
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1980
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Human services (P80Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $17,332,181
- Income (IRS master file)
- $24,392,221
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $22,645,788 | $22,723,470 | $17,332,181 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $23,992,310 | $24,229,748 | $17,207,756 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $25,211,248 | $24,937,959 | $17,483,263 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $26,173,789 | $25,802,011 | $15,904,443 | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 39-1343425).
Questions about INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC
- What is the EIN of INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC is 39-1343425.
- Is INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1980.
- Are donations to INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names MARCIA BOUCHER.
- Who are the officers and directors of INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 25 people; 8 received compensation from the organization, the highest $258,710 (MARCIA BOUCHER, PRESIDENT/CEO).
- How much revenue does INDEPENDENCE FIRST INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $22,645,788, expenses of $22,723,470 and total assets of $17,332,181 at year end.
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