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Epoch Media Midwest

EIN 20-0916595 · Chicago, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOUND OF HOPE NFP DBA: EPOCH MEDIA MIDWEST IS DEDICATED TO SPREADING THE TRUTH AND TRADITIONAL VALUES VIA INDEPENDENT MEDIA INCLUDING PRINTING AND BROADCASTING.

Income
$6.2 million
Spending
$6.1 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$36,807, mail processing clerk

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 60 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (6)
  1. $5.6 million spent. EPOCH MEDIA MIDWEST KNOWN AS SOUND OF HOPE NFP CIRCULATES AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ENGLISH EDITION IN MIDWEST.
  2. $131,483 spent. SINCE 2013 SOUND OF HOPE NFP EPOCH MEDIA MIDWEST HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTING THE ABOVE-MENTIONED NEWSPAPER CHINESE EDITION IN MIDWEST. THE CHINESE EDITION IS FREE OF CHARGE AND GOES TO GROCERY STORES COMMUNITY CENTERS IN 9 STATES INCLUDING IA IL IN KS KY MI NE OH AND WI.
  3. $55,374 spent. In 2022 Sound of Hope NFP Epoch Media Midwest created video news content for television broadcast
  4. FORM 990 PART IV LINE 11B ORGANIZATIONS PROCESS TO REVIEW FORM 990 BOARD MEMBERS HOLD MEETINGS TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS
  5. FORM 990 PART VI LINE 15B COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR OFFICERS BOARD MEMBERS HOLD MEETINGS TO DISCUSS.
  6. FORM 990 PART VI LINE 19 GOVERNING DOCUMENTS DISCLOSURE EXPLANATION CAN BE SEARCHED THROUGH INTERNET AND UPON REQUEST.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.