Nonprofit · EIN 99-0983777
WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE
Tax-exempt · WILLISTON, ND 58802
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $1,653,827 | $1,592,848 | $60,979 | $830,093 | $6,245 | $823,848 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990-EZ | – | – | – | $0 | – | $0 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,155,536
- of which government grants
- $1,086,580
- Membership dues
- $65,000
- Program service revenue
- $488,019
- Investment income
- $4,711
- Other revenue
- $5,561
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $160,673
- Other salaries and wages
- $628,089
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,022,984
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $71
- Accounting fees
- $10,000
- Occupancy
- $19,443
- Travel
- $66,439
- Program services (functional)
- $1,143,873
- Management and general (functional)
- $448,975
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $0
- Total assets, end of year
- $830,093
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $6,245
- Net assets, end of year
- $823,848
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $823,848
- Gross receipts
- $1,653,827
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 37
- Year formed
- 2024
- State of legal domicile
- ND
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 June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENJAMIN SCHAFER | EXEC DIRECTO Officer | 40 | $35,611 | $4,184 |
| RUSS ZIEGLER | BOARD CHAIR Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| LESLIE BIEBER | VICE CHAIR Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| TROY WALTERS | MEMBER Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MARCUS LEWTON | MEMBER Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| KRIS KUEHN | MEMBER Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DARLA RATZAK | MEMBER Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE HOLEN | MEMBER Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended June 30, 2024: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Schafer | Executive Director | 40 | $0 |
| Russell Ziegler | Director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Leslie Bieber | Director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Marcus Lewton | Director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Kris Kuehn | Director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Darla Ratzak | Director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Troy Walters | Director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Steve Holen | Director | 0.5 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 1964, WILLISTON, ND 58802-1964
- In care of
- % BENJAMIN SCHAFER
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- BENJAMIN SCHAFER, PO BOX 1964, WILLISTON, ND 58802
- Signed the 990
- BENJAMIN SCHAFER, EXEC DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (701) 340-4557
- Website
- WERCCENTER.COM
- Return prepared by
- HAGA KOMMER LTD
Mission
TO SERVE AND ASSIST SCHOOLS WITHIN OUR REGION IN ALL THEIR EFFORTS TOWARD SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT, WHILE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THEIR INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT GOALS AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.
Program accomplishments
- WERC'S INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING PROGRAM HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT BY PROVIDING EDUCATORS WITH SUSTAINED, JOB-EMBEDDED PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT FOCUSED ON IMPROVING TEACHING AND LEARNING OUTCOMES. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE COACHING CYCLES, CLASSROOM MODELING, REFLECTIVE CONVERSATIONS, AND DATA- DRIVEN GOAL SETTING, WERC INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES PARTNER WITH TEACHERS TO STRENGTHEN INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES AND INCREASE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE INSTRUCTION, AND RESEARCH-BASED STRATEGIES THAT EMPOWER EDUCATORS TO GROW PROFESSIONALLY WHILE MEETING THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF THEIR STUDENTS. SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN WERC'S INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING SERVICES HAVE DEMONSTRATED MEASURABLE ACADEMIC GROWTH, WITH PARTNER SCHOOLS AVERAGING MORE THAN A 3% ANNUAL INCREASE IN STUDENT PERFORMANCE DATA. BY FOSTERING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND BUILDING INSTRUCTIONAL CAPACITY WITHIN SCHOOLS, WERC'S COACHING MODEL CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN EDUCATOR CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT LONG-TERM STUDENT SUCCESS.Expenses $143,326 · revenue $156,000
- TSI/CSI: WE WORKED UNDER THE FRAMEWORK OF NDDPI SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, TARGETING LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS IN THE STATE. AS A REQUIRE OF ESSA, WE FACILITATE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MEETINGS THAT INCLUDE ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS TO IDENTIFY THE HIGHEST NEEDS OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL. WE THEN LEAD THE SCHOOL THROUGH PDSA CYCLES WHERE NEW STRATEGIES OR PROGRAMMING ARE TRIED AND MONITORED FOR SUCCESS USING MEASUREMENTS IDENTIFIED BY THE TEAM.Expenses $150,000
- COGNIA: WE HAVE WORKED WITH 25+ SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO AID IN THE SCHOOL ACCREDITATION PREPARATION PROCESS THROUGH COGNIA. OUR STAFF WORK WITH SCHOOL LEADERS TO FACILITATE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING MEETINGS THAT REVIEW STUDENT PERFORMANCE DATA, STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK, AND CLASSROOM OBSERVATION DATA TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT AND EXCELLENCE. WE WORK WITH THE TEAM TO DEVELOP SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS TO ADDRESS THE AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT TO IMPLEMENT IN A 5-YEAR PLAN.Expenses $77,808 · revenue $81,313
- ASSIST SCHOOLS WITHIN OUR REGION IN ALL THEIR EFFORTS TOWARD SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT, WHILE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THEIR INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT GOALS AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.Expenses $772,739 · revenue $250,706
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990-EZ on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 99-0983777
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2025
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B90)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $830,093
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,653,827
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $1,653,827 | $1,592,848 | $830,093 | IRS |
| 990-EZ | June 2024 | – | – | $0 | XML |
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 99-0983777).
Questions about WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE
- What is the EIN of WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE is 99-0983777.
- Is WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2025.
- Are donations to WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE 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 WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names BENJAMIN SCHAFER.
- Who are the officers and directors of WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 8 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $35,611 (BENJAMIN SCHAFER, EXEC DIRECTO).
- How much revenue does WESTERN EDUCATION REGIONAL COOPERATIVE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,653,827, expenses of $1,592,848 and total assets of $830,093 at year end.
Other nonprofits in WILLISTON
- WILLISTON STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION EIN 45-6012226 · last filed 990 for 2025
- C F MARTELL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION EIN 45-6010183 · last filed 990-PF for 2025
- HARMONIC CREATIVE WORLD EIN 88-4053671 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- TETON BOOSTER CLUB INC EIN 45-0417554 · last filed 990 for 2025
- WILKINSON ELEMENTARY PTO EIN 99-4581138 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- HAGAN ELEMENTARY PTO EIN 45-0451513 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- JOHN EBERLE SCHOLARSHIP FUND EIN 20-5110609 · last filed 990-PF for 2025
- WILLISTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY FOUNDATION EIN 36-4084334 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025