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The Ark

EIN 23-7164967 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ARK IS TO HELP CHICAGOLAND JEWS WHO ARE FACING ADVERSITY NAVIGATE TOWARD SELF-RELIANCE. ARK PROFESSIONALS, VOLUNTEERS, AND DONORS PROVIDE FREE, COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES WITHIN A FRAMEWORK OF JEWISH VALUES AND LAWS.

Income
$14.2 million
Spending
$12.0 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
67
Volunteers
4,284
Highest pay
$317,125, ceo

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    27 of 27 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 (10)
  1. $4.7 million spent. SOCIAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE: PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT, FOOD, RENT, UTILITY AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND LEGAL AID TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FROM THE ARK'S HEADQUARTERS IN CHICAGO. 4,200 CLIENTS SERVED. (Expenses $ 529,914 including grants of $ 291,406) VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH: RECRUITS AND MANAGES OVER 2,500 PROFESSIONAL AND LAY VOLUNTEERS; DEVELOPS VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES. (Expenses $ 461,887 including grants of $) ARK NORTHWEST: PROVIDES INCREASED ACCESS FOR NORTHWEST SUBURBAN CLIENTS TO THE ARK'S VITAL HUMAN SERVICES, INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT, FOOD PANTRY, RENT & UTILITY ASSISTANCE, JOB COUNSELING, AND DELIVERY OF MEDICATIONS FROM THE ARK'S PHARMACY. 1,041 CLIENTS SERVED. (Expenses $ 406,816 including grants of $ 8,691) CLINIC: PROVIDES MEDICAL SERVICES, PRIMARILY THROUGH VOLUNTEER PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING BLOOD TESTS AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES, MEDICATIONS, EYEGLASSES, AND MOBILITY AND POST-OPERATIVE AIDS. 113 CLIENTS SERVED. (Expenses $ 358,976 including grants of $) SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT: PROVIDES CLASSES, PASTORAL COUNSELING, HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS, AND ASSISTANCE WITH LIFE-CYCLE EVENTS. 573 CLIENT ATTENDANCE. (Expenses $ 351,358 including grants of $) DENTAL PROGRAM: PROVIDES DENTAL SERVICES, THROUGH VOLUNTEER DENTISTS, INCLUDING CLEANINGS, FILLINGS, EXTRACTIONS, DENTAL X-RAYS, AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT PROCEDURES. 274 CLIENTS SERVED. (Expenses $ 170,416 including grants of $) EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: 111 CLIENTS SERVED. (Expenses $ 155,443 including grants of $) PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES: PROVIDES PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING BY VOLUNTEER PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND COUNSELORS, ASSISTED BY STUDENT INTERNS. 89 CLIENTS SERVED.
  2. $1.1 million spent. HOUSING PROGRAM: PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING AND UTILITY PAYMENTS TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS, MANAGE A FEW RENT-REDUCED APARTMENTS, AND ASSISTS WITH TEMPORARY HOTEL STAYS DURING CRISIS. 544 CLIENTS SERVED.
  3. $541,029 spent. INTENSIVE DAY PROGRAM: ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO SUFFER FROM CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS. OVERSEES CLIENTS' HOUSING AND BUDGETING, OFFERS FAMILY SUPPORT; PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC CLASSES, GROUP ACTIVITIES, COMMUNAL MEALS. 174 CLIENTS SERVED. (Expenses $ 529,914 including grants of $ 291,406) VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH: RECRUITS AND MANAGES OVER 2,500 PROFESSIONAL AND LAY VOLUNTEERS; DEVELOPS VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES. (Expenses $ 461,887 including grants of $) ARK NORTHWEST: PROVIDES INCREASED ACCESS FOR NORTHWEST SUBURBAN CLIENTS TO THE ARK'S VITAL HUMAN SERVICES, INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT, FOOD PANTRY, RENT & UTILITY ASSISTANCE, JOB COUNSELING, AND DELIVERY OF MEDICATIONS FROM THE ARK'S PHARMACY. 1,041 CLIENTS SERVED. (Expenses $ 406,816 including grants of $ 8,691) CLINIC: PROVIDES MEDICAL SERVICES, PRIMARILY THROUGH VOLUNTEER PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING BLOOD TESTS AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES, MEDICATIONS, EYEGLASSES, AND MOBILITY AND POST-OPERATIVE AIDS. 113 CLIENTS SERVED. (Expenses $ 358,976 including grants of $) SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT: PROVIDES CLASSES, PASTORAL COUNSELING, HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS, AND ASSISTANCE WITH LIFE-CYCLE EVENTS. 573 CLIENT ATTENDANCE. (Expenses $ 351,358 including grants of $) DENTAL PROGRAM: PROVIDES DENTAL SERVICES, THROUGH VOLUNTEER DENTISTS, INCLUDING CLEANINGS, FILLINGS, EXTRACTIONS, DENTAL X-RAYS, AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT PROCEDURES. 274 CLIENTS SERVED. (Expenses $ 170,416 including grants of $) EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: 111 CLIENTS SERVED. (Expenses $ 155,443 including grants of $) PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES: PROVIDES PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING BY VOLUNTEER PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND COUNSELORS, ASSISTED BY STUDENT INTERNS. 89 CLIENTS SERVED.
  4. $529,914 spent. VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH: RECRUITS AND MANAGES OVER 2,500 PROFESSIONAL AND LAY VOLUNTEERS; DEVELOPS VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES.
  5. $461,887 spent. ARK NORTHWEST: PROVIDES INCREASED ACCESS FOR NORTHWEST SUBURBAN CLIENTS TO THE ARK'S VITAL HUMAN SERVICES, INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT, FOOD PANTRY, RENT & UTILITY ASSISTANCE, JOB COUNSELING, AND DELIVERY OF MEDICATIONS FROM THE ARK'S PHARMACY. 1,041 CLIENTS SERVED.
  6. $406,816 spent. CLINIC: PROVIDES MEDICAL SERVICES, PRIMARILY THROUGH VOLUNTEER PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING BLOOD TESTS AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES, MEDICATIONS, EYEGLASSES, AND MOBILITY AND POST-OPERATIVE AIDS. 113 CLIENTS SERVED.
  7. $358,976 spent. SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT: PROVIDES CLASSES, PASTORAL COUNSELING, HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS, AND ASSISTANCE WITH LIFE-CYCLE EVENTS. 573 CLIENT ATTENDANCE.
  8. $351,358 spent. DENTAL PROGRAM: PROVIDES DENTAL SERVICES, THROUGH VOLUNTEER DENTISTS, INCLUDING CLEANINGS, FILLINGS, EXTRACTIONS, DENTAL X-RAYS, AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT PROCEDURES. 274 CLIENTS SERVED.
  9. $170,416 spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: 111 CLIENTS SERVED.
  10. $155,443 spent. PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES: PROVIDES PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING BY VOLUNTEER PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND COUNSELORS, ASSISTED BY STUDENT INTERNS. 89 CLIENTS SERVED.

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 March 1972.

    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.