Nonprofit · EIN 39-1411980
PROJECT RETURN INC
Tax-exempt · MILWAUKEE, WI 53233
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,013,598 | $970,737 | $42,861 | $301,931 | $26,406 | $275,525 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $685,344 | $617,395 | $67,949 | $259,459 | $26,795 | $232,664 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $544,926 | $585,226 | -$40,300 | $200,028 | $35,313 | $164,715 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $999,612
- of which government grants
- $169,811
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $2,412
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$2,321
- Other revenue
- $11,574
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $98,786
- Other salaries and wages
- $426,081
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $634,818
- Professional fundraising fees
- $7,870
- Accounting fees
- $8,900
- Occupancy
- $44,843
- Travel
- $4,656
- Depreciation
- $4,546
- Program services (functional)
- $760,868
- Management and general (functional)
- $67,084
- Fundraising (functional)
- $142,785
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $259,459
- Total assets, end of year
- $301,931
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $26,406
- Net assets, end of year
- $275,525
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $6,610
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $140,525
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $135,000
- Gross receipts
- $1,040,078
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 75
- Year formed
- 1981
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WENDEL HRUSKA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $79,773 | $17,669 |
| RODNEY EVANS | PAST DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $6,000 | $0 |
| ROB SCHREIBER | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $3,920 | $0 |
| STEVEN BECKHAM | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUDGE PATRICIA GORENCE | PAST VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ED DE ST AUBIN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM HARRELL | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAM GUSTAFSON | PAST COMPTROLLER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLES HAMPTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR TOM LEBEL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW PINIX | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV JOE ELLWANGER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM NITZ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CARL FIELDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA VUCHETICH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
1 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONTE MABRA | PAST BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WENDEL HRUSKA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $62,100 | $10,480 |
| RODNEY EVANS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $6,480 | $0 |
| ROB SCHREIBER | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $4,320 | $0 |
| JUDGE PATRICIA GORENCE | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ED DE ST AUBIN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM HARRELL | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAM GUSTAFSON | COMPTROLLER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLES HAMPTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MONTE MABRA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR TOM LEBEL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW PINIX | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVEN BECKHAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV JOE ELLWANGER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM NITZ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WENDEL HRUSKA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $68,480 | $7,407 |
| ROB SCHREIBER | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $3,820 | $0 |
| RODNEY EVANS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $1,260 | $0 |
| DR ED DE ST AUBIN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLES HAMPTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUDGE PATRICIA GORENCE | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM HARRELL | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAM GUSTAFSON | COMPTROLLER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MONTE MABRA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR TOM LEBEL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS AVALLONE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MAGGIE KUHN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV JOE ELLWANGER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PASTOR DAVID REBEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1004 N 10TH ST STE 200, MILWAUKEE, WI 53233-1472
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- WENDEL HRUSKA, 1004 N 10TH STREET SUITE 200, MILWAUKEE, WI 53233
- Signed the 990
- WENDEL HRUSKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (414) 374-8029
- Return prepared by
- RITZ HOLMAN LLP
Mission
PROJECT RETURN EXISTS TO HELP MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED INCARCERATION MAKE A POSITIVE, PERMANENT RETURN TO FAMILY, FRIENDS AND THE COMMUNITY.
Program accomplishments
- OVERVIEW OF SERVICES: PROJECT RETURN CONTINUES TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE-EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE OFTEN SEVERAL STEPS BEHIND THEIR COUNTERPARTS OF JUST A FEW YEARS AGO. WE CREATE AN INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN TO HELP EACH CLIENT ACCESS THE RESOURCES NEEDED FOR EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS. EXAMPLES OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE INCLUDE: BUILDING EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AND CONNECTING PEOPLE TO SPECIALIZED, SHORT-TERM JOB TRAINING IN HIGH-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS. HELPING CLIENTS ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO AND FROM TRAINING OR WORK. ASSISTING WITH THE COST OF TUITION OR TEXTBOOKS. OFFERING FREE, DONATED CLOTHING FROM OUR RESOURCE ROOM, AS WELL AS HYGIENE KITS. PURCHASING WORK TOOLS OR SPECIALIZED, SAFETY CLOTHING. HELPING PEOPLE OBTAIN FOOD AND HOUSING. PROVIDING TRAINING THAT PREPARES CLIENTS FOR LEADERSHIP ROLES AT WORK AND IN THE COMMUNITY.CIRCLES OF SUPPORT OUR CIRCLES OF SUPPORT PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW! THESE SMALL GROUPS MEET REGULARLY TO PROVIDE A STABLE, SUPPORTIVE NETWORK TO INDIVIDUALS RETURNING FROM INCARCERATION. THEY HELP TO OVERCOME THE SOCIAL ISOLATION AND STIGMA THAT THOSE RETURNING FROM INCARCERATION ENCOUNTER AND ENABLE THEM TO REALIZE NEW POSSIBILITIES IN THEIR LIVES. LAST YEAR A RECORD-SETTING 391 FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN ONE OF OUR 13 CIRCLES. ADDITIONAL CIRCLES OF SUPPORT ARE PLANNED IN 2025, INCLUDING TWO THAT WILL BE OFFERED INSIDE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CLOSE TO THEIR RELEASE DATES. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE MIDST OF A RESEARCH COLLABORATION WITH MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY AND UWM TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF OUR CIRCLES PROGRAM ON RE-ENTRY SUCCESS AND WILL BE EXCITED TO SHARE RESULTS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE MID-YEAR. AT THE CORE OF OUR STRATEGY ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS IS OUR RELIANCE ON PEER SPECIALISTS. WE BELIEVE THAT FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE, BOARD, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE INSIGHT AND PERSPECTIVES ESSENTIAL TO OUR WORK. WE PRIORITIZE THEIR INPUT AND BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE A DIRECT IMPRINT ON OUR WORK WITH CLIENTS, AS WELL AS OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS. ADVOCACY ADVOCACY IS ESSENTIAL IN CHANGING COMMUNITY MINDSETS AND REDUCING SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO RE-ENTRY SUCCESS. ALONG WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, PROJECT RETURN HAS ADVOCATED FOR ADDED FUNDING FOR MILWAUKEE COUNTY'S MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT COURT. THE GOAL OF THE TREATMENT COURT IS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR FOR INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS THROUGH COURT-ORDERED, LONG-TERM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT WITH INTENSIVE COURT SUPERVISION. AT ONE TIME A PILOT PROJECT, THE COURT NOW HAS A FULL-TIME COORDINATOR AND STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE CHIEF JUDGE OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY'S CIRCUIT COURT. HOUSING INITIATIVE AS SEEN BY THE LARGE NUMBER OF CLIENTS WHO ARE DESPERATE TO FIND HOUSING, TOO MANY PEOPLE RETURN HOME ONLY TO FIND THEY NO LONGER HAVE ONE. ACCORDING TO THE REPORT WHO'S COMING HOME? (DATA YOU CAN USE, 2021), ABOUT 42% (1,042) OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO RETURN TO MILWAUKEE FROM PRISON EACH YEAR DO NOT HAVE A STABLE PLACE TO LIVE. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT FINDING STABLE HOUSING WITHIN A MONTH OF RELEASE REDUCES THE CHANCES OF RETURNING TO PRISON; CONVERSELY, INDIVIDUALS WHO ENTER A HOMELESS SHELTER WITHIN THE FIRST TWO YEARS AFTER RELEASE ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE RE-INCARCERATED. FOR YEARS, PROJECT RETURN HAS WORKED WITH LANDLORDS TO OPEN UP HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES TO CLIENTS WHO ARE IN NEED. WE HAVE SEEN OUR CLIENTS STRUGGLE REPEATEDLY TO FIND SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING A PREREQUISITE TO MOVING AHEAD IN THEIR LIVES. IT IS NOT EASY TO FIND AND KEEP A JOB IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A STABLE PLACE TO LIVE! THE PROJECT RETURN BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS COMMITTED TO MOVING AHEAD WITH PLANS TO PROVIDE SECURE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE FACING HOMELESSNESS UPON RELEASE FROM INCARCERATION.Expenses $760,868
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
- 39-1411980
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1982
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Mental health and crisis intervention (F60Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $301,931
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,040,078
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $1,013,598 | $970,737 | $301,931 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $685,344 | $617,395 | $259,459 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $544,926 | $585,226 | $200,028 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $738,281 | $654,299 | $307,723 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | 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 39-1411980).
Questions about PROJECT RETURN INC
- What is the EIN of PROJECT RETURN INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of PROJECT RETURN INC is 39-1411980.
- Is PROJECT RETURN INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1982.
- Are donations to PROJECT RETURN INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does PROJECT RETURN 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 PROJECT RETURN 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 PROJECT RETURN 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 PROJECT RETURN INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names WENDEL HRUSKA.
- Who are the officers and directors of PROJECT RETURN INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 16 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $79,773 (WENDEL HRUSKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does PROJECT RETURN INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,013,598, expenses of $970,737 and total assets of $301,931 at year end.
Other nonprofits in MILWAUKEE
- SIRONA RECOVERY INC EIN 39-1246685 · last filed 990 for 2024
- META HOUSE FOUNDATION INC EIN 93-1510137 · last filed 990 for 2024
- IMPACT ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE SERVICES INC EIN 39-0988784 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ABG WELLNESS GROUP INC EIN 81-2081323 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF WISCONSIN INC EIN 39-0827843 · last filed 990 for 2024
- MILWAUKEE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES INC EIN 20-5856716 · last filed 990 for 2025
- EISENHOWER CENTER INC EIN 39-1022482 · last filed 990 for 2024
- CORE-EL CENTRO INC EIN 39-2042797 · last filed 990 for 2024
All nonprofits in MILWAUKEE · Wisconsin · Mental health and crisis intervention