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Korean Cultural Center of Chicago

EIN 20-2534366 · Wheeling, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 16% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE PURPOSES SHALL BE: (1) TO DISCOVER, PRESERVE, AND DEVELOP KOREAN IMMIGRANTS' HISTORY AND KOREAN CULTURAL LEGACIES IN THE US, (2) TO ENHANCE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE KOREAN CULTURE'S UNIQUENESS BY PROPAGATING AND EDUCATING KOREAN CULTURE TO KOREAN DESCENDANTS AND OTHER PEOPLE, (3) TO SERVE AS THE CENTER FOR COOPERATION AMONG ALL KOREAN-AMERICANS AND THEIR ORGANIZATIONS, AND (4) TO SUPPORT THE CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND NETWORKING BETWEEN KOREA AND THE US AND FACILITATE ANY OTHER CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$952,205
Spent on programs
16%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
2
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$78,795, executive di

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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    16% 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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

    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 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 (4)
  1. $5,448 spent. MAINTAIN THE CENTER AS COMMUNITY SPACES FOR SEVERAL CLASSES, CULTURAL EXHIBITION, AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
  2. $6,445 spent. SUPPORT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND HOLD KOREAN CULTURAL EVENTS.
  3. $5,069 spent. PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING OF KOREAN CULTURE, IDEAS AND TRADITIONS AND TO DISSEMINATE THE INFORMATION TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES.
  4. $138,492 spent. OTHER

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 November 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.