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Grip Outreach for Youth

EIN 20-1668619 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INVEST IN THE LIVES OF CHICAGO'S YOUTH THROUGH CHRIST-CENTERED, LIFE-ON-LIFE RELATIONSHIPS. WE HAVE A VISION FOR THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF KIDS TO GROW INTO SOLID CHRISTIAN ADULTS WHO WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT AND CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY, THEIR COMMUNITIES, THEIR CHURCHES, AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
9.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
20
Volunteers
350
Highest pay
$138,932, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $1.0 million spent. SLAM: GRIP'S FLAGSHIP PROGRAM, ATTRACTING HUNDREDS OF TEENS FOR HIGH-ENERGY TEAM SPORTS, CREATIVE GAMES, BIBLE TEACHING, SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, LOTS OF HUGS, AND DEDICATED TIME TO MEET WITH MENTORS ONE-ON-ONE. SLAM SERVES AS A LAUNCHING PAD FOR LIFE-ON-LIFE RELATIONSHIPS. OVER 450 STUDENTS COME THROUGH THE DOORS OF SLAM EACH YEAR.
  2. $911 spent. GRIP THE SCHOOL: WE CONNECT WITH STUDENTS INSIDE SIX CHICAGO PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS THROUGH LUNCHTIME CONVERSATIONS/DISCUSSIONS. AS RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST ARE BUILT, STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO SLAM WHERE THEY'LL CONNECT AND BUILD TOWARDS LIFE-ON-LIFE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MENTORS.
  3. $101,831 spent. FUTURE STEPS: LEVERAGES THE NETWORK OF LIFE-ON-LIFE RELATIONSHIPS TO OFFER PRACTICAL SUPPORT FOR OUR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS AS THEY LEARN IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS AND PURSUE JOBS, COLLEGE AND/OR CAREER GOALS. WITH FUTURE STEPS, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE EQUIPPED TO UNDERSTAND THEIR UNIQUE, GOD-GIVEN DESIGN, FORM A VISION FOR THEIR FUTURE THROUGH CAREER FAIRS AND COLLEGE VISITS, AND ARE EMPOWERED TO LIVE IT OUT THROUGH PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS THAT GUIDE THEM IN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND ADULT CAREERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 February 2005.

    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.