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Alternative Schools Network

EIN 23-7375976 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

ASN IS COMMITTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ENGAGE URBAN CHILDREN, YOUTHS, AND ADULTS WITH WELL-ROUNDED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS LEADING TO COLLEGE ENTRANCE AND/OR CAREER PATHS, WHICH FOSTER ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

Income
$22.3 million
Spending
$23.0 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
-0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
2,160
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$305,382, executive director

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

Weak: 33 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 104% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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 (4)
  1. $3.9 million spent. ASN, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES ("IDCFS"), HAS DEVELOPED A PROGRAM WITH 15 COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTHS WHO ARE OUT OF SCHOOL AND DO NOT HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ("GED") EQUIVALENT. THE YOUTH SCHOLARS, SKILLS, AND SERVICE PROGRAM ("YS3") DIRECTORY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH YOUTHS FROM AGES 16 THROUGH 21 IN THE CARE OF THE IDCFS, RESIDING IN SUCH PLACEMENTS AS TRADITIONAL FOSTER CARE, HOME OF A RELATIVE, INDEPENDENT LIVING, OR GROUP HOME. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CHICAGO-AREA YOUTHS WHO ARE IN THE CARE OF THE IDCFS, ARE NOT ENROLLED IN AN EDUCATIONAL OR VOCATIONAL PROGRAM, AND DO NOT HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY AND RESOURCES TO ATTAIN THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND BECOME INDEPENDENT AND PRODUCTIVE ADULTS. INTEGRAL COMPONENTS OF YS3 ARE STUDENT MENTORING, COLLEGE PLACEMENT, AND SUPPORT.
  2. $3.9 million spent. THE REENROLLED STUDENT PROGRAM ("RSP") IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN ASN AND THE ILLINOIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD ("ICCB"). THE RSP PROVIDES EXPANDED ACADEMIC AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO OVER 450 OUT-OF-SCHOOL TEENS ANNUALLY THROUGH PROGRAMS CENTERED IN COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS CHICAGO. THE RSP FOCUSES ON GETTING STUDENTS REENROLLED AND SUPPORTING THEM IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE AS THEY ATTAIN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS AND CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES AT A COLLEGE LEVEL OR PLACE INTO A JOB.
  3. $850,170 spent. YOUTH EXPERIENCING SUCCESS PROVIDES ACADEMIC AND MENTORING AND CAREER PATHWAY SERVICES TO OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTHS. 11 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, WHICH SERVES OVER 200 STUDENTS CITYWIDE. STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED AND LINKED TO AN ON-SITE MENTOR, WHO PROVIDES THEM WITH COUNSELING, ASSESSMENT, SUPPORT SERVICES, AND ADVOCACY. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS FOR EACH STUDENT TO OBTAIN ACADEMIC SUCCESS, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, AND FUTURE PLANNING AND ACHIEVEMENT. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE CHICAGO COOK WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP.
  4. $12.5 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE TITLE XX/COMPASS COUNSELING PROGRAM, THE FOSTERING LEARNING PROGRAM, ADDED CHANCE, THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS, THE CRITICAL HEALTH NETWORK, THE CHICAGO YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, ASNEWS, AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS, ONE SUMMER CHICAGO, THE OPPORTUNITY TIME PROGRAM, THE ILLINOIS YOUTH INVESTMENT PROGRAM, INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FOUNDATION, SCAN, YOUTH ENGAGE, THE LAUREUS SPORTS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, THE MAYOR'S MENTORING INITIATIVE, AND THE ASN PREPARATORY INSTITUTE.

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 June 1974.

    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.