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By the Hand Club for Kids

EIN 20-3144284 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

By the Hand Club for Kids is a faith-based after school program that helps children have a new and abundant life by nuturing the whole child - mind, body and soul.

Income
$16.8 million
Spending
$18.3 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
254
Volunteers
2,000
Highest pay
$199,898, cdo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 August 31, 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 (1)
  1. $14.2 million spent. DURING 2024-2025, BY THE HAND, A CHRIST-CENTERED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, TOOK OVER 2,000 CHILDREN BY THE HAND AND WALKED WITH THEM HOLISTICALLY-- MIND, BODY AND SOUL. FOR THE MIND-- WE PROVIDED HOMEWORK HELP, TUTORING, LANGUAGE AND READING LITERACY PROGRAMS AND OUR CHILDREN GREW ACADEMICALLY. 93 PERCENT OF OUR K-12 STUDENTS PASSED ALL CLASSES, 76 PERCENT EARNED ALL ABC'S. 100 PERCENT OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS GRADUATED AND 85 PERCENT ENROLLED IN COLLEGE OR A TECHNICAL SCHOOL. FOR THE BODY--100 PECENT OF STUDENTS WERE OFFERED A NUTRITIOUS MEAL EACH DAY, 718 RECEIVED EYE EXAMS, 142 RECEIVED GLASSES, AND 781 RECEIVED DENTAL CHECKUPS AND CLEANING, 6 RECEIVED ADDITIONAL DENTAL CARE. FOR THE SOUL -- 77 PERCENT OF STUDENTS PROFESSED FAITH, AND 51,927 STUDENT HOURS WERE SPENT IN CHAPEL AND BIBLE STUDY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.