Christopher House
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CHRISTOPHER HOUSE IS A FAMILY OF SCHOOLS THAT HELPS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, THE WORKPLACE, AND LIFE. THROUGH OUR UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE APPROACH, WE ARE EFFECTIVELY CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY GAP THROUGH A CONTINUUM OF PERSONALIZED EDUCATION WITH IMMERSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT STARTING AT BIRTH.
- Income
- $20.7 million
- Spending
- $20.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 0.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 89%
- Employees
- 270
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $197,892, interim president/interim 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
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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
10 of 10Gave 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (4)
- $8.2 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - Christopher House's nationally renowned, full-day infant and preschools educate children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. Our schools advance literacy, motor skills, positive social behavior, cognitive development, math skills, and long-term success. Christopher House's infant and preschools are nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and maintains the prestigious Gold Circle of Quality, the highest rating on ExceleRate Illinois. the statewide quality rating and improvement system. (Expenses $ 1,103,422 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 29,911) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
- $7.9 million spent. Christopher House CHARTER SCHOOL is an innovative school offering a continuum of education for children from kindergarten through 8th grade. Christopher House Elementary School's mission is to develop independent, creative, lifelong learners in a school where students, teachers, and parents form a community committed to excellence, perseverance, personal responsibility, and compassion. The school's rigorous college prep curriculum develops critical thinkers who will succeed in high school, college, and beyond.
- $1.4 million spent. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES provides immersive family supports that meet the needs of our families; including working with families as partners in their child's educational journey, parent engagement, family assessments and family led goal setting, food pantry, support of emergency and emerging needs, parent education through workshops. Christopher House food pantry and holiday programs meet the hunger and nutrition needs of our families while educating them on food budgeting and healthy lifestyle choices. Children, parents, and families who are enrolled in our continuum of schools have access to social worker services and family advocates who partner closely with clients, providing individually tailored and culturally responsive care, and offering supports to manage difficult situations in the classroom and at home. Through our services, parents are able to address their mental health concerns and build a stable home environment that encourages their child's healthy development. (Expenses $ 1,103,422 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 29,911) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
- $1.1 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
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
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.
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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1970.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.