Program areas at IndependenceFirst
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.
Wisloan and telework - this program is an alternative loan program for Wisconsin citizens with disabilities who desire to purchase assistive devices or services.
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.
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.
Who funds IndependenceFirst
Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
Financials for IndependenceFirst
| Revenues | FYE 12/2025 | FYE 12/2024 | % Change |
|---|
| Total grants, contributions, etc. | $2,144,398 | $2,011,409 | 6.6% |
| Program services | $19,819,513 | $21,322,142 | -7% |
| Investment income and dividends | $257,996 | $265,124 | -2.7% |
| Tax-exempt bond proceeds | $0 | $0 | - |
| Royalty revenue | $0 | $0 | - |
| Net rental income | $56,979 | $43,735 | 30.3% |
| Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets | $403,459 | $294,913 | 36.8% |
| Net income from fundraising events | $-36,557 | $54,987 | -166.5% |
| Net income from gaming activities | $0 | $0 | - |
| Net income from sales of inventory | $0 | $0 | - |
| Miscellaneous revenues | $0 | $0 | - |
| Total revenues | $22,645,788 | $23,992,310 | -5.6% |
Organizations like IndependenceFirst
| Organization | Type | Location | Revenue |
|---|
| Ability Beyond | 501(c)(3) | Bethel, CT | $67,955,400 |
| Resource Center for Independent Living | 501(c)(3) | Utica, NY | $100,718,076 |
| Evergreen Life Services | 501(c)(3) | Haughton, LA | $71,411,229 |
| Easter Seals Iowa | 501(c)(3) | Des Moines, IA | $15,340,927 |
| Valleylife | 501(c)(3) | Phoenix, AZ | $17,181,082 |
| Arc of Spokane | 501(c)(3) | Spokane, WA | $13,959,920 |
| The Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC) | 501(c)(3) | Brooklyn, NY | $39,801,501 |
| United Ability | 501(c)(3) | Birmingham, AL | $16,315,078 |
| The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region Incorporated (The Arc NCR) | 501(c)(3) | Aberdeen, MD | $28,428,920 |
| Easter Seals Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore | 501(c)(3) | New Castle, DE | $37,229,468 |
Data update history
October 5, 2026
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025
July 15, 2026
Used new vendors
Identified 1 new vendor, including
May 13, 2026
Updated personnel
Identified 2 new personnel
Nonprofit Types
Human service organizationsDevelopmentally disabled centersHeadquarter / parent organizationsCharities
Issues
Human servicesHuman rightsDevelopmentally disabled
Characteristics
Legally formed as corporationPolitical advocacyLobbyingFundraising eventsReceives government fundingCommunity engagement / volunteeringGala fundraisersTax deductible donationsAccepts online donations
General information
- Address
- 540 S 1st St
- Milwaukee, WI 53204
- Metro area
- Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
- County
- Milwaukee County, WI
- Website URL
- independencefirst.org/Â
- Phone
- (414) 291-7520
- Facebook page
- IndependenceFirstÂ
- Twitter profile
- @independence1stÂ
IRS details
- EIN
- 39-1343425
- Fiscal year end
- December
- Taxreturn type
- Form 990
- Year formed
- 1979
- Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
- Yes
Categorization
- NTEE code, primary
- P82: Developmentally Disabled Centers and Services
- NAICS code, primary
- 624120: Services for the Elderly and People with Disabilities
- Parent/child status
- Central organization
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