New Life Centers of Chicagoland NFP
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To show the love of Jesus Christ by serving the needs of the people of Chicagoland through programs that provide educational enrichment, health awareness and life resources. New Life Centers of Chicagoland is a neighborhood based organization that connects youth and young adults with Christ and Community through mentoring, education, and sports.
- Income
- $34.4 million
- Spending
- $31.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 0.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 55%
- Employees
- 349
- Volunteers
- 3,211
- Highest pay
- $147,240, chief executive officer
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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 32% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 68% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $22.4 million spent. Community Care: In 2024, El Mercadito, our indoor markets, along with our mobile fresh markets provided food provision to the families in the communities we serve. In 2024, our distribution hubs across the neighborhood served 128,713 individuals. Our food pantry operates 5 days a week throughout our service areas. We offered English literacy classes for community members and case management for families that visit our pantry through partnerships with other community organizations. In response to the migrant crisis, we launched our New Vecinos program and shelter work. Through this program, NLC provides essential support and resources to individuals and families in need, focusing on sustainable housing solutions. In the past year, we moved 3,357 families and 15,116 individuals into apartments through the city. We distributed 345,779 emergency items, including jackets, hygiene kits and diapers within 24 hours of request. We operated three family shelters in the following neighborhoods: Midway, Hyde Park and Little Village caring for 3,855 people, providing programming and resources to help stabilize families to successful exit the shelter. (Expenses $ 842,094 including grants of $ 23,283)(Revenue $ 23,934) Sports: NLC offers 16 hours of sports-based programming weekly throughout the year. In addition, we offer weekly sports programming that include open gyms, basketball, baseball, boxing and running. Our Sports program has partnered with our local High School to support student wellness and engagement. Our mentors provide sports activities, and safe space to connect with the mentors three times a week during students' lunch breaks and free periods. Overall, we had 1,168 total people participate in our sports programming throughout the year. In the summer we led our annual Playing for Peace Summer Softball League in both the west and east side of Little Village. In 2024, we held 77 Light in the Night events with 18,666 attendees. (Expenses $ 651,087 including grants of $ 89,721)(Revenue $ 97,525) Education: During the school year, NLC provides Out-of-School Time programs, which includes both The Vine After School Programming and La Semilla After School Programming. During the summer we offer summer camp options in both The Vine and La Semilla. The Vine programming is for youth in grades K-8th in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. It continues to be a space of hope, teaching, tutoring, and physical activity Monday through Friday year-round. We provide support and resources for 5 local elementary schools and have served over 169 students during this past school year and 138 students last summer. La Semilla continues to be a safe space for students in grades 1st - 8th in Little Village. During the school year we serve 57 students who attend local elementary schools and 46 in our summer camp. Our focus is on building connections with young people through educational support, social-emotional learning, health/wellness, physical activity, art, and technology.
- $4.8 million spent. Peacemaking: NLC continued to provide street outreach, crisis response, mediation, hospital response, violence interruption, victim advocacy, case management, and mentoring services for young people in Little Village, Far East Side, Brighton Park and Humboldt Park. Our team engaged young people in small groups, one on one sessions, and programming. In 2024, 411 youth received mentoring services throughout the year. Approximately, 511 engaged in weekly programming with our restorative justice department. The Street Outreach staff responded to 100% of all critical incidents in our service area and spent 3,683 hours canvassing the streets working with high-risk key individuals. Our victim advocates provided services to 108 individuals that were either victims of violence or family members of those who were killed due to gun violence. They assisted families and victims in submitting 25 victim compensation applications and supported with 37 funerals.
- $1.2 million spent. Mentoring: In 2024, NLC served 2,791 youth through mentoring services and/or weekly programming. Of those 1,074 received one on one mentoring sessions. We provided weekly in-school programming to 5 local schools. We partnered with other agencies to provide cognitive behavioral therapy in the schools as part of our programming. Launched in 2024, The Heart Project supports youth mental health through art-based mentorship. Mentors are available four days a week at the local high school, offering open studio sessions during lunch and free periods. These sessions provide a safe, creative space for students to reflect, express themselves, and heal. NLC also expanded our entrepreneurship mentoring program to serve young ladies in Little Village in addition to Humboldt Park. Participants learn entrepreneurship, marketing, and product creation through jewelry-making, while also building leadership, financial literacy, and faith-based values. The program offers trauma-informed, promoting resilience and self-worth. Girls engage in small group mentoring, leadership, service projects, and creative experiences like workshops and adventure therapy. Youth voice and leadership are central, with girls planning activities and sharing their stories. Ongoing partnerships with schools and organizations help expand outreach and impact. (Expenses $ 842,094 including grants of $ 23,283)(Revenue $ 23,934) Sports: NLC offers 16 hours of sports-based programming weekly throughout the year. In addition, we offer weekly sports programming that include open gyms, basketball, baseball, boxing and running. Our Sports program has partnered with our local High School to support student wellness and engagement. Our mentors provide sports activities, and safe space to connect with the mentors three times a week during students' lunch breaks and free periods. Overall, we had 1,168 total people participate in our sports programming throughout the year. In the summer we led our annual Playing for Peace Summer Softball League in both the west and east side of Little Village. In 2024, we held 77 Light in the Night events with 18,666 attendees. (Expenses $ 651,087 including grants of $ 89,721)(Revenue $ 97,525) Education: During the school year, NLC provides Out-of-School Time programs, which includes both The Vine After School Programming and La Semilla After School Programming. During the summer we offer summer camp options in both The Vine and La Semilla. The Vine programming is for youth in grades K-8th in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. It continues to be a space of hope, teaching, tutoring, and physical activity Monday through Friday year-round. We provide support and resources for 5 local elementary schools and have served over 169 students during this past school year and 138 students last summer. La Semilla continues to be a safe space for students in grades 1st - 8th in Little Village. During the school year we serve 57 students who attend local elementary schools and 46 in our summer camp. Our focus is on building connections with young people through educational support, social-emotional learning, health/wellness, physical activity, art, and technology.
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
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2005.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.