Community Advocates Inc
Community Advocates Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, providing comprehensive advocacy and services to low-income and at-risk individuals and families. Founded in 1976, the organization operates as a multipurpose human services agency offering more than 30 specialized programs. Community Advocates is one of the few social service agencies in the region that accepts walk-in clients five days a week.
Key facts about Community Advocates Inc
- EIN
- 39-1249426
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,393,519
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- Average grant
- $95,741
- Median grant
- $37,241
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (8 of 25, 2024)
- Total assets
- $12,589,416
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Community Advocates Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Community Advocates Inc's 25 itemized 2024 grants were Wisconsin (99%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (12 grants) and Madison, WI (2 grants). None of its 25 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Prevention Grant" (25 grants).
Is Community Advocates Inc open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 25 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $97K; repeat grants $95K. How we count
Medians: $51K first-time, $35K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Community Advocates Inc
- How to evaluate Community Advocates Inc as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Community Advocates Inc with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.6M
-13.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+17.9% YoY
Grant Count
25
+19.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$96K
-1.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To provide individuals and families with advocacy and services to meet their basic needs so they may live in dignity.
The organization addresses critical needs including lack of access to housing, utilities, and fundamental supports that enable individuals to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. Community Advocates works to remove systemic barriers, provide immediate relief, and promote long-term solutions for individuals in crisis through advocacy, case management, and coalition building.
Primary Program Areas:
- Basic Needs Division: Housing programs, energy assistance and utilities programs, disability advocacy, and protective payee services
- Behavioral Health Services: Homeless Outreach Nursing Center, Autumn West Safe Haven, and Project Bridge programs providing continuum of care for individuals with mental illness experiencing chronic homelessness
- Milwaukee Women's Center: Emergency shelter and wraparound care for adults and children impacted by domestic violence or homelessness; programming for older abused women; batterer's treatment programs; job-readiness services
- Public Policy Institute: Evidence-based policy research and advocacy focused on poverty prevention, reentry for returning citizens, transitional jobs, and substance abuse prevention
Grantmaking
Community Advocates functions primarily as a service provider and recipient of grants rather than as a grantmaking foundation. However, the organization does provide grantmaking focused on:
Ready to take the next step with Community Advocates Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Community Advocates primarily serves Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Wisconsin, with some grantmaking activity extending to Nevada.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 25 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Information:
- Total Income: $17,639,571
- Total Expenses: $17,764,315
- Total Administrative Expenses: $1,267,976
- Total Fundraising Expenses: $214,689
- Total Net Ending Assets: $7,189,204
2023 Financial Information:
- Total Revenues: $28,237,266
- Total Expenses: $27,527,586
- Total Assets: $14,484,256
Assets: $12,589,416 (per most recent IRS Form 990)
Staffing: 221 employees as of 2023
Organization Growth: Since 2005, Community Advocates has grown from approximately 30 staff members to more than 170, with budget growth from $4 million to $20 million by 2021.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,589,416 | $14,484,256 | $15,374,838 |
| Revenue | $16,195,715 | $28,237,266 | $46,085,952 |
| Expenses | $16,232,604 | $27,527,586 | $45,554,827 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $29,019 | $1,351 | $653 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
107 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include The Parenting Network ($518,662), Neu-Life Community Developement Inc ($470,421), United Community Center ($225,333).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE PARENTING NETWORK Milwaukee, WI | PREVENTION GRANT | $518,662 |
| NEU-LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPEMENT INC Milwaukee, WI | PREVENTION GRANT | $470,421 |
| UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER Milwaukee, WI | PREVENTION GRANT | $225,333 |
| PATHFINDERS MILWAUKEE INC Milwaukee, WI | PREVENTION GRANT | $169,995 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS Milwaukee, WI | PREVENTION GRANT | $130,000 |
| MILWAUKEE CHRISTIAN CENTER Milwaukee, WI | PREVENTION GRANT | $129,944 |
| PEARLS FOR TEEN GIRLS Milwaukee, WI | PREVENTION GRANT | $124,731 |
| WISCONSIN ALLIANCE FOR INFANT MENTAL HEALTH Madison, WI | PREVENTION GRANT | $80,148 |
| END DOMESTIC ABUSE WISCONSIN Madison, WI | PREVENTION GRANT | $71,045 |
| WEST ALLIS - WEST MILWAUKEE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER West Allis, WI | PREVENTION GRANT | $70,981 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Chief Executive Officer: Andrea Mallmann-Elliott
The organization was founded in 1976 by Ramon Wagner, a former Catholic priest, along with two volunteers who opened the initial storefront on Milwaukee's north side. Wagner served as the agency's Executive Director until his death in 2005.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan House | President | 1 | — |
| Sharon Jordan | Vice President | 1 | — |
| Sandra Samse | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Natasha Dotson | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Nicole Angresano | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Anne Deleo | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Valerie Gabriel | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Gary Ingram | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Pamela Klein | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Jim Liedtke | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Kate Venne | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Jodi Wire | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Andrea Mallmann-Elliott | Chief Executive Officer | 42 | $190,004 |
| Maudwella Kirkendoll | Chief Operating Officer | 42 | $167,616 |
| William Koch | Chief Financial Officer | 42 | $145,062 |
| Jennifer Patrick | HR Director | 40 | $106,696 |
Recent Activity & Impact
Recent developments and announcements
**2023 Program Outcomes:**
2,237 households in Milwaukee and Waukesha County received emergency rental assistance
7,876 landlords and tenants received support resolving rental housing issues
254 adults and 574 children received intensive case management services
3,363 residents accessed resources through the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center
886 individuals obtained employment through the FoodShare and Employment Training Program
27,793 energy assistance applications were processed
**Recognition:** Community Advocates earned a Four-Star rating with a 96% overall score, reflecting strong performance in accountability, finance, culture, community, leadership, and adaptability.
Advocates receives $45,000 Impact Your Community grant | News | daily-tribune.comContact Information
Address: 728 N James Lovell St, Milwaukee, WI 53233-2408
Phone: 414-270-2970
Website: www.communityadvocates.com
EIN: 39-1249426
IRS Ruling Year: 1979
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Community Advocates Inc fund?
**Mission:** To provide individuals and families with advocacy and services to meet their basic needs so they may live in dignity. The organization addresses critical needs including lack of access to housing, utilities, and fundamental supports that enable individuals to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. Community Advocates works to remove systemic barriers, provide immediate relief, and promote long-term solutions for individuals in crisis through advocacy, case management, and coalitio…
How do I apply for a grant from Community Advocates Inc?
Community Advocates functions primarily as a service provider and recipient of grants rather than as a grantmaking foundation. However, the organization does provide grantmaking focused on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Nonprofit Human Services • Poverty Alleviation **Grant Activity:** Total giving of $5,892,443 with typical award ranges of $5,010–$518,662.
Where does Community Advocates Inc make grants?
Community Advocates primarily serves Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Wisconsin, with some grantmaking activity extending to Nevada.
What size grants does Community Advocates Inc award?
In 2024, Community Advocates Inc awarded 25 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $96K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Community Advocates Inc's EIN?
Community Advocates Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1249426. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Advocates Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
838
Total Given
$66.8M
Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation
Elm Grove, WI
Assets
—
Grants
94
Total Given
$1.0M
United Way of Greater Milwaukee &
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
$57.5M
Grants
434
Total Given
$46.0M
Baird Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
—
Grants
3,751
Total Given
$6.6M
Herbert H Kohl Charities Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
—
Grants
258
Total Given
$14.2M
Green Bay Packers Foundation
Green Bay, WI
Assets
—
Grants
530
Total Given
$3.6M
Gardner Foundation
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
—
Grants
60
Total Given
$233K
Anon Charitable Trust
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
—
Grants
130
Total Given
$2.0M
Weiss Family Foundation
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
—
Grants
43
Total Given
$256K
Otto Bremer Trust
St Paul, MN
Assets
—
Grants
883
Total Given
$68.5M
Joseph and Vera Zilber Family
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
—
Grants
319
Total Given
$18.8M
Croen Foundation Inc
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Assets
—
Grants
37
Total Given
$271K
More Funders in Wisconsin
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.