Nonprofit · EIN 39-1393389
SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE INC
Tax-exempt · MADISON, WI 53703
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,616,784 | $1,588,385 | $28,399 | $23,952,213 | $106,800 | $23,845,413 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $8,405,096 | $1,401,420 | $7,003,676 | $22,810,809 | $141,929 | $22,668,880 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $3,372,546 | $1,110,795 | $2,261,751 | $16,336,310 | $193,186 | $16,143,124 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,366,144
- Program service revenue
- $13,163
- Investment income
- $197,046
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $7,930
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $40,431
- Other revenue
- $40,431
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $102,732
- Other salaries and wages
- $693,970
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $960,150
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $7,106
- Accounting fees
- $17,946
- Occupancy
- $92,698
- Travel
- $6,126
- Depreciation
- $59,694
- Program services (functional)
- $1,236,301
- Management and general (functional)
- $207,356
- Fundraising (functional)
- $144,728
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $22,810,809
- Total assets, end of year
- $23,952,213
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $106,800
- Net assets, end of year
- $23,845,413
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $14,966,118
- Publicly traded securities
- $7,643,640
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $17,703,168
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $6,142,245
- Gross receipts
- $1,747,284
- Employees
- 34
- Volunteers
- 400
- Year formed
- 1980
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATT REETZ | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $99,740 | $2,992 |
| MATTHEW FORTNEY | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK CLARK | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFF GALLIGAN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIM NORRIS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA LEPEAK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DARCY KIND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT KRUEGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| OLIVIA DUNN | DIRECTOR (THRU APRIL) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEXTER PATTERSON | DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK EAGAN | DIRECTOR (THRU FEBRUARY) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANET SILBERNAGEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASMINE BANKS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KLARA HENRY | DIRECTOR (FROM AUGUST) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATT REETZ | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $94,417 | $2,833 |
| MATTHEW FORTNEY | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK CLARK | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFF GALLIGAN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIM NORRIS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA LEPEAK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DARCY KIND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOANNE JONES | DIRECTOR (THRU NOV) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT KRUEGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| OLIVIA DUNN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEXTER PATTERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK EAGAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANET SILBERNAGEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASMINE BANKS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATT REETZ | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $87,333 | $2,620 |
| MATTHEW FORTNEY | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK CLARK | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFF GALLIGAN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIM NORRIS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA LEPEAK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DARCY KIND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOANNE JONES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT KRUEGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| OLIVIA DUNN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEXTER PATTERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK EAGAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID RIHN | DIRECTOR (THRU MAY) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN SHILLINGLAW | DIRECTOR (THRU FEB) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 211 S PATERSON ST STE 340, MADISON, WI 53703-4504
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- MATT FORTNEY, 211 S PATERSON ST 340, MADISON, WI 53703
- Signed the 990
- MATT FORTNEY, CHAIR
- Phone
- (608) 255-2473
- Website
- SWIBIRDS.ORG
- Return prepared by
- WEGNER CPAS LLP
Mission
OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE HABITAT FOR BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE THROUGH LAND ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY.
Program accomplishments
- SANCTUARIES: SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE (SOWBA) ACTIVELY PROTECTS, RESTORES, AND MANAGES NEARLY 3,000 ACRES OF LAND. AT OUR FOUR EXISTING SANCTUARIES (FAIR MEADOWS, FAVILLE GROVE, GOOSE POND, AND HILLSIDE PRAIRIE) WE CONTINUE PERFORMING HIGH-QUALITY HABITAT CONSERVATION, INCLUDING PRAIRIE PLANTING, NATIVE SEED COLLECTION (FROM 400+ NATIVE SPECIES), AND PRESCRIBED BURNS. WE HOSTED 9 SUMMER INTERNS AND RAN IMPACTFUL VOLUNTEER CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS LIKE MONARCH BUTTERFLY TAGGING, NEST BOX MONITORING, WILDLIFE SURVEYS, AND MUCH MORE. COUNTLESS VISITORS ENJOYED THE OUTDOORS AT OUR SANCTUARIES. WE MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST STANDARDS FOR EXCELLENCE AND LAND CONSERVATION PERMANENCE AS A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED LAND TRUST, A MARK OF DISTINCTION.Expenses $840,428 · revenue $13,163
- EDUCATION: SOWBA HAS TWO FULL-TIME EDUCATORS AND ONE INTERN ON OUR STAFF WHO TAUGHT WEEKLY IN ABOUT 14 CLASSROOMS SPANNING KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH GRADE. WE ALSO WORK WITH ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AT LOCAL COMMUNITY CENTERS. OUR PARTNERSHIPS ARE WITH ORGANIZATIONS SERVING GROUPS WITH MORE THAN HALF OF THE KIDS BEING PEOPLE OF COLOR OR FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. OUR FUN, HANDS-ON LESSONS GET KIDS RUNNING, EXPLORING, AND THINKING LIKE SCIENTISTS. LESSONS AND PODCAST EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR FREE! WE ALSO PROVIDED MANY ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS LIKE BIRDING 101 AND BIRDING BY EAR (FOR PEOPLE OF ALL VISUAL ABILITIES) IN ADDITION TO A VARIETY OF FIELD TRIPS WELCOMING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, BACKGROUNDS AND ABILITIES.Expenses $208,390
- ADVOCACY: ALONG WITH ITS MEMBERS, SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE SUPPORTED MEANINGFUL CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND ADVOCATED WIDELY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES THROUGH A BLOG, NEWSLETTER, EMAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITE, AND MORE. WE PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC OUTREACH THROUGH HYBRID (IN PERSON, STREAMED ONLINE) PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. WE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO IMPROVE REPRESENTATION IN CONSERVATION AND ACCESS TO NATURE FOR BIPOC, LGBTQ+, AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. WE COORDINATED MULTIPLE VOLUNTEER-LED COMMUNITY SCIENCE EFFORTS ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING BALD EAGLE NEST WATCH, NOW ESTABLISHED IN OVER HALF OF THE COUNTIES AROUND WISCONSIN. WE ALSO PROMOTED BIRD-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUR BIRD-WINDOW COLLISION MONITORING AND BIRD-WINDOW COLLISION PREVENTION OUTREACH PROGRAMS. WE HELPED LAUNCH AND MAINTAIN A STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE LIGHT POLLUTION CALLED LIGHTS OUT WISCONSIN. SOWBA ALSO COORDINATES MONTHLY MEETINGS FOR A COALITION OF BIRD AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS TO BETTER IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN OUR COLLECTIVE APPROACH AND WORK TO BETTER ADVOCATE FOR BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS.Expenses $187,483
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
- 39-1393389
- 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
- 1981
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C300)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $23,952,213
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,747,284
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $1,616,784 | $1,588,385 | $23,952,213 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $8,405,096 | $1,401,420 | $22,810,809 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $3,372,546 | $1,110,795 | $16,336,310 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $2,068,997 | $993,529 | $13,498,481 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | 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 39-1393389).
Questions about SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE INC
- What is the EIN of SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE INC is 39-1393389.
- Is SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1981.
- Are donations to SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE 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 SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE 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 SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE 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 SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names MATT FORTNEY.
- Who are the officers and directors of SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 14 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $99,740 (MATT REETZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,616,784, expenses of $1,588,385 and total assets of $23,952,213 at year end.
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