Chicago District Evangelistic Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 49% 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
To fulfill the Great Commission Matthew 28:18-20 within the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana area by promoting and establishing new churches consistent with the principles held by the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ of the Restoration Movement.
- Income
- $417,010
- Spending
- $530,473
- Spent on programs
- 49%
- Reserves
- 45 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 79%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $60,265, executive director
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: 55 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 45.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 38% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1549% 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
Good: 73 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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)
- $251,454 spent. Ignites vital mission involved facilitating diverse church planting initiatives throughout the region by offering crucial financial backing and essential resources. The organization wholeheartedly supported projects targeting various ethnic communities in Chicagoland and neighboring areas. These churches play a pivotal role in spreading the message of Jesus to suburban urban and rural populations. Collaborating closely with numerous churches Ignite played a key role in establishing daughter churches and extending outreach to previously unreached demographics.
- $4,000 spent. Thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment Ignite Thriving Churches successfully supported four churches in the Chicagoland area to enhance their health and vitality. The programs approach consists of three key steps to guide the churches towards improvement. Initially the churches undergo comprehensive evaluations employing various assessment tools. Following this they receive tailored training sessions conducted by experts in their identified areas of need. Lastly the churches are provided ongoing guidance and support by certified coaches to facilitate their journey towards increased health and vitality.
- $2,062 spent. Each year our organization commemorates the inception of the church as detailed in Acts 2 by urging our supporters to engage in a designated fundraising initiative. In the most recent campaign donations were allocated to support the establishment of various Latino-focused endeavors in the Chicagoland area. Specifically we successfully initiated the development of a daughter church catering to Spanish-speaking individuals in Grundy County IL alongside another congregation serving the Ecuadorian community in Chicago.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Worth knowing.
The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1969.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.