Newcap CEO's Pay Raises Concerns Amid Financial Troubles

State puts nonprofit under enhanced monitoring due to financial issues as CEO's compensation has risen 142% over 8 years.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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An independent audit has raised concerns about the future of Newcap, a Northeast Wisconsin nonprofit that helps low-income residents, as the agency has been operating at a $2 million deficit. The state of Wisconsin has put Newcap under enhanced financial monitoring due to these financial concerns. The CEO of Newcap, Cheryl Detrick, has seen her compensation rise 142% over the past 8 years, reaching $239,641 in 2024, which is over $100,000 higher than the average pay for CEOs at other community action agencies in the state.

Why it matters

As a nonprofit that receives millions in taxpayer funding each year, Newcap's financial troubles and the high compensation of its CEO raise questions about how the organization is managing its resources and serving the low-income communities it is meant to help. The state's decision to put Newcap under enhanced monitoring signals the gravity of the situation and the need for greater oversight and accountability.

The details

Newcap, founded in 1965, is required to have a 30-member board of directors with representation from low-income individuals, local elected officials, and community groups. However, Newcap's two most recent tax filings show it only had 16 board members, with at least half from Brown County, which makes up a significant portion of Newcap's service area. Former board member Holly Clark claims the board was filled with "yes people" who agreed with CEO Cheryl Detrick's decisions. Current board member Tom Sieber acknowledges that some board members are "friends of Cheryl's" and that the board relies heavily on Detrick for board member nominations.

  • In 2024, Cheryl Detrick's compensation as Newcap CEO was $239,641.
  • Detrick's pay has increased 142% since she started at $98,876 eight years earlier.

The players

Cheryl Detrick

The CEO of Newcap, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income residents in Northeast Wisconsin. Detrick's compensation has risen significantly during her tenure, raising concerns about the organization's financial management.

Holly Clark

A former member of Newcap's board of directors who left the board in 2023. Clark has been critical of Detrick's leadership and the board's composition, claiming the board was filled with "yes people" who agreed with Detrick's decisions.

Tom Sieber

A current member of Newcap's board of directors, who acknowledges that some board members are "friends of Cheryl's" and that the board relies heavily on Detrick for board member nominations.

Newcap

A nonprofit organization that provides assistance to low-income residents in a 10-county service area in Northeast Wisconsin. Newcap has been operating at a $2 million deficit, leading the state to put the organization under enhanced financial monitoring.

State of Wisconsin

The state government that has put Newcap under enhanced financial monitoring due to the organization's financial concerns.

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What they’re saying

“She wanted all her board members to be yes people. Whatever she said, they agreed with.”

— Holly Clark, Former Newcap board member (FOX 11 News)

“They need to get people in there that genuinely care about the people you're supposed to be helping -- not, 'Oh, I wonder if I do this, how much money I'll get in my pocketbook.'”

— Holly Clark, Former Newcap board member (FOX 11 News)

“Some people are definitely friends of Cheryl's. I consider Cheryl a friend as well. There's a handful of us that we've definitely questioned things and we've definitely had changes and we've definitely had things addressed.”

— Tom Sieber, Newcap board member (FOX 11 News)

“We ended up basing it on other CEOs of Newcaps that had similar number of clients served, number of population and number of staff.”

— Tom Sieber, Newcap board member (FOX 11 News)

What’s next

The state of Wisconsin will continue to monitor Newcap's financial situation and board composition to ensure the organization is operating in compliance with federal funding requirements and serving the needs of the low-income communities it is meant to assist.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of nonprofit organizations, especially those receiving significant public funding, maintaining strong financial oversight, independent board governance, and a clear focus on their mission to serve the communities they are intended to help. The high compensation of Newcap's CEO and the concerns raised about the board's composition raise questions about whether the organization is prioritizing its own interests over those of the low-income individuals and families it is meant to support.