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Chicago Audubon Society

EIN 23-7245647 · 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

Points to look into

  • Only 39% 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

CHICAGO BIRD ALLIANCE CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH BIRDS AND NATURE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, FIELD TRIPS, ADVOCACY, STEWARDSHIP AND RESEARCH.

Income
$233,698
Spending
$200,513
Spent on programs
39%
Reserves
52.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
4
Volunteers
180

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 52.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 91% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    39% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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 89% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $27,698 spent. COMMUNICATION TOOLS INCLUDE E-BLASTS, SOCIAL MEDIA (FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM) AND WEBSITE THAT REACH OVER 10,000 PEOPLE AND COVER IMPORTANT AND TIMELY LOCAL AND NATIONAL BIRDING AND CONSERVATION TOPICS. ORGANIZATION NEWS, EDUCATIONAL PIECES, AND CALENDAR OF ORGANIZATIONAL EVENTS ARE SHARED WIDELY.
  2. $43,895 spent. CHICAGO BID ALLIANCE SUPPORTS AN EXPANDING SLATE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, CONSERVATION AND BIRDWALKS THAT INCLUDES MANY PARTS OF THE REGION AND DIVERSE DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS. PROGRAMS TARGETING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PEOPLE INTERESTED IN LOCAL BIRD CONSERVATION HAVE BEEN ADDED TO OUR ALREADY LARGE SLATE. A FEW OF OUR KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: HIRED AN EDUCATION INTERN STATIONED AT MONTROSE BEACH TO EDUCATE BEACH GOERS ABOUT PIPING PLOVERS AND OTHER SHOREBIRDS WHOSE HABITAT NEEDS MONITORING AND PROTECTION; SUPPORTED NEW BIRDERS AND BIRDING GROUPS BY GIVING AWAY SPOTTING SCOPES AND BINOCULARS THROUGH THE BIRD GEAR EXCHANGE PROGRAM; ORGANIZED THE URBAN BIRDING FESTIVAL, WHICH ENGAGED OVER 400 PARTICIPANTS IN BIRD OUTINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS; ORGANIZED THE CHICAGO BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST THAT CELEBRATED BIRDS IN CHICAGO WITH A PHOTO EXHIBITION; RECRUITED VOLUNTEER BIRD MONITORS TO SAVE NESTING GRASSLAND BIRDS AT TECHNY BASIN CONSERVATION AREA IN GLENVIEW, IL; AND LED A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THE USE OF RODENTICIDE IN THE CITY AND RESEARCH SOLUTIONS TO MAKE URBAN ENVIRONMENTS SAFER FOR BIRDS. OUR ONGOING PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS DINNER, THE WASHINGTON PARK HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN AND THE RIVER PARK HABITAT RESTORATION. CHICAGO BID ALLIANCE SUPPORTS AN EXPANDING SLATE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, CONSERVATION AND BIRDWALKS THAT INCLUDES MANY PARTS OF THE REGION AND DIVERSE DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS. PROGRAMS TARGETING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PEOPLE INTERESTED IN LOCAL BIRD CONSERVATION HAVE BEEN ADDED TO OUR ALREADY LARGE SLATE. A FEW OF OUR KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: HIRED AN EDUCATION INTERN STATIONED AT MONTROSE BEACH TO EDUCATE BEACH GOERS ABOUT PIPING PLOVERS AND OTHER SHOREBIRDS WHOSE HABITAT NEEDS MONITORING AND PROTECTION; SUPPORTED NEW BIRDERS AND BIRDING GROUPS BY GIVING AWAY SPOTTING SCOPES AND BINOCULARS THROUGH THE BIRD GEAR EXCHANGE PROGRAM; ORGANIZED THE URBAN BIRDING FESTIVAL, WHICH ENGAGED OVER 400 PARTICIPANTS IN BIRD OUTINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS; ORGANIZED THE CHICAGO BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST THAT CELEBRATED BIRDS IN CHICAGO WITH A PHOTO EXHIBITION; RECRUITED VOLUNTEER BIRD MONITORS TO SAVE NESTING GRASSLAND BIRDS AT TECHNY BASIN CONSERVATION AREA IN GLENVIEW, IL; AND LED A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THE USE OF RODENTICIDE IN THE CITY AND RESEARCH SOLUTIONS TO MAKE URBAN ENVIRONMENTS SAFER FOR BIRDS. OUR ONGOING PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS DINNER, THE WASHINGTON PARK HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN AND THE RIVER PARK HABITAT RESTORATION.
  3. LIGHTS OUT AND BIRD FRIENDLY CHICAGO ARE TWO INITIATIVES DEDICATED TO REDUCING BIRD MORTALITY AT BUILDINGS. THE ALLIANCE COLLABORATES WITH THE CHICAGO BUILDING OWNERS AND MANAGERS' ASSOCIATION ON LIGHTS OUT, A PROGRAM TO EXTINGUISH DECORATIVE EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND LOBBY LIGHTS TO SAVE BIRDS DURING MIGRATION. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER LOCAL BIRDING ORGANIZATIONS, THE ALLIANCE OPERATES BIRD FRIENDLY CHICAGO TO EDUCATE ABOUT BIRD FRIENDLY DESIGN MEASURES 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

  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 August 1973.

    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.