Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, inc. Was established in 1966, under the economic opportunity act to help disadvantaged individuals in buffalo, eau Claire, Jackson, and Trempealeau counties located in west central Wisconsin. The agency's mission is to alleviate poverty related conditions and provide opportunities which enable people to advance economically and socially.the agency works with individuals as well as community organizations to improve the quality of life for all. The agency is governed by a 24 member board of directors representing a cross section of the community. Eight members are local elected officials, eight are representatives of the low-income population, and eight are representatives of community groups and organizations.community action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc at a glance
In short: Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc gave $1.1M across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $280K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,118,184
- +25.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $279,546
- -5.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,754
- Total assets
- $15,555,336
- +9.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Eau Claire Area School District ($1.1M). Together the top 4 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 6 grants of 16 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+11%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $858K (2020) to $1.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire Area School District Eau Claire WI, WI | Provide Headstart Activities to Children/Families | $1,068,735 |
| Bolton Refuge House Eau Claire, WI | Provide Supportive Housing Activities to Individuals and Families | $19,299 |
| Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley Inc Eau Claire, WI | Provide Supportive Housing Activities to Individuals and Families | $16,209 |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse Inc La Crosse, WI | Provide Supportive Housing Activities to Individuals and Families | $13,941 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15,555,336 | $20,655,375 | $19,687,613 | $1,118,184 | 4 | $75,485 |
| 2023 | $14,163,834 | $18,332,590 | $17,907,852 | $890,795 | 3 | $53,364 |
| 2022 | $14,240,722 | $18,239,883 | $17,860,882 | $971,659 | 3 | $3,845 |
| 2021 | $9,371,395 | $17,670,947 | $17,209,272 | $1,011,923 | 3 | $40,655 |
| 2020 | $9,081,107 | $16,092,657 | $15,841,267 | $857,580 | 3 | $218,483 |
About Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc
Based on IRS filings
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Independence, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $15.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $1.1M. Net investment income was $75K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc is led by Anna Cardarella, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 3 of 28 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Anna Cardarella
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$115K (2020) → $141K (2024)
Richard Schaumberg
President
Secretary → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thanh Bui-Duquette
Director of Head Start
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$105K (2024)
Bill Baxa
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Smith
Director
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gentry Jesse
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jenny Ebert
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Ziegeweld
Director
Vice President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristy Kreibich
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lou Anne Roby
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Gunther
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Savides
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheila Kersten
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Marum
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alton Staff
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bridgette Turner
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Bork
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Christianson
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Anne McMillan-Urell
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Vue
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nick Smiar
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dary Boe
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dwight Ruff
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theresa Olson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marie Pehler Gernes
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$98K (2023) → $104K (2024)
Craig Thompson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Greendeer-Rave
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne Nutter
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Mem-Gween Hernandez (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Nancy Coffey (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Carol McDonough (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Connie Russell (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Curtis Skoyen (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Danielle Stanley (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Douglas Winters (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Judy Gatlin (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Steven Nelson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ashley Simpson (2020–2021) — Director · Filing note: Thru nov 2021
- Former: Grady Gutknecht (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $141K, to Anna Cardarella (Chief Executive Officer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc
How much does Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc give each year?
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc gave $1.1M across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $891K across 3 grants.
What is Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc's typical grant size?
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc's median grant in 2024 was $17,754, and its average grant was $279,546, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc give grants?
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Eau Claire, WI (2 grants).
Does Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc?
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc reported $15.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.7M.
What is Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc?
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Independence, WI. It holds $15.6M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc's EIN?
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1076993. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Leveling-Up Award $1,000 · Due October 25, 2026
- Arnold F. Keller, Jr. Grant for New Initiatives/Program Expansion $25,000 · Due October 27, 2026
- Wausau Marathon County Impact Grants (Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin) $1,000 to $100,000 depending on the scope of the project · Due October 27, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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