Caffeinated Politics

Today, I received a letter from a reader via email that raised an issue worthy of attention. I think my local readers will appreciate the information.

Good Evening,

All of this week, I’ve been watching your newscasts where you cover and solicit fundraising for the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund.  You’ve had board members, the Executive Director, Tim Bruer talk about the need, and tonight the veterans service advocate under the topic of where the money goes.  Each night, the stories are preceded by an explanation that 95% of the contributions are delivered to program services.  

Impressive. 

However, as Paul Harvey used to say (I believe he was a feature on your station for years), the rest of the story paints a different picture.  I refer you to the summary below and the ProPublica link.  

I think your viewers would be interested in the fact that if you meet your fundraising goal this week of $100,000, you will only raise the equivalent of two months of the executive director’s salary.  (By the way, the veteran’s advocate who was featured in your story about where the money goes neglected to mention that he receives  $174,029 in salary and $21,728 in other benefits.)

I think your viewers deserve the “whole truth.”   I think your viewers deserve a news organization that does its due diligence before signing on to ask its viewers for money.  I also wonder if the KWW/CF receives the money that is already assessed by the state on people’s monthly utility bills, which amounts to $3-5 or $50 per year.  Transparency demands this.

Then people, many of whom are scraping by, can make an informed decision if this charity is worthy of more contributions.

I don’t for a minute dispute that many people in need are helped by this assistance.   What I do dispute is that many of your viewers would decide that this type of compensation is warranted, fair, or above board.

As a news organization that I have trusted, I expect to see a disclaimer on your broadcasts tomorrow and during the “telethon” on Friday.​

Sincerely,

Rick Soletski

Madison WI

How much does Tim Bruer, director of Warm/Cool Wisconsin, make?

As of early 2026, the specific salary for Tim Bruer in his current role as Executive Director of Energy Services Inc. (which operates the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund) has not yet been released for the 2025–2026 fiscal cycle. However, according to the most recent available tax filings (Form 990), his total annual compensation has historically ranged between approximately $400,000 and $700,000. 

Recent reported compensation figures for Tim Bruer include:

• Total Compensation: $704,004 (consisting of $633,856 base compensation and $70,148 in other benefits).
• Previous Years: Compensation has shown significant variation, with other recent filings listing base pay at $465,356 (plus $41,532 in benefits) and $368,558 (plus $28,384 in benefits). 

Key Context

• Organization: He serves as the Executive Director of Energy Services, Inc., the nonprofit responsible for the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund (KWW/CF).
• Role: Bruer oversees statewide efforts to provide emergency energy assistance to low-income households, veterans, and the elderly.
• Data Source: These figures are sourced from IRS Form 990 filings, which are typically made public via platforms like ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer with a one-to-two-year delay. 

Later in the day, WISC responded to Soletski’s letter.

Thanks for the email. We value our long-standing relationship with Energy Services, Inc.

They are the largest survival safety net in Wisconsin and they work in close collaboration with Class A and municipal utilities across the state to assist in preventing heating and cooling disconnects. Their emphasis for so many years on serving those vulnerable elderly, disabled, and struggling veterans in crisis.

They field roughly 100,000+ applications a year and just last year they helped over 90,000 households in need. They employ over 100 employees across the state via 37 service centers in 37 Wisconsin counties.

They have also been independently recognized both locally and nationally for their effectiveness and exemplary services to those most vulnerable.  

Thank you for the feedback.

Scot Chastain