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Care for Real

EIN 27-1962360 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FOSTER A HEALTHY AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITY BY HELPING VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS OVERCOME FOOD INSECURITY WITH DIGNITY. WITH LOCATIONS IN EDGEWATER AND ROGERS PARK, CFR PROVIDES FOOD, CLOTHING, PET FOOD, REFERRAL, AND ADDITIONAL SERVICES WITH COMPASSION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS.

Income
$8.4 million
Spending
$7.1 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
18
Volunteers
1,200
Highest pay
$131,956, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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.

  • 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 March 31, 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 (3)
  1. $5.9 million spent. FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM - THE PROGRAM'S GOALS ARE TO PROVIDE HUNGER RELIEF TO ALL WHO NEED; IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE OUR CLIENTS; CLIENTS SAVE MONEY ON FOOD SO THEY CAN AFFORD HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING (AND AVOID HOMELESSNESS). CLIENTS MAY COME ONCE A WEEK FOR FOODS SUCH AS MEAT, EGGS, DAIRY, BEANS, RICE, FRESH PRODUCE, AND BAKED GOODS. FOOD IS DONATED BY OUR RETAIL PARTNERS AND PICKED UP BY OUR 3 HUNGER RELIEF VANS AND BY THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY.
  2. $632,419 spent. CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM - LIKE THE HUNGER RELIEF PROGRAM, THE CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM HELPS OUR LOW-INCOME, VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS SAVE MONEY ON CLOTHES SO THEY CAN AFFORD HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING. SEASONALLY APPROPRIATE, NEW AND GENTLY USED DONATED CLOTHING IS COLLECTED FROM RETAILERS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS AND PROVIDED FREE TO OUR CLIENTS. DONATED PERSONAL CARE ITEMS ESSENTIAL FOR HEALTHY LIVING ARE ALSO COLLECTED AND DISTRIBUTED TO THOSE IN NEED.
  3. $39,868 spent. PET PANTRY - THE PET PANTRY PROVIDES FREE PET FOOD AND SUPPLIES TO CLIENTS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN FEEDING THEIR FAMILIES AND FEEDING THIER PETS (OR GIVING UP THEIR PETS TO A SHELTER). DONATED PET FOOD AND SUPPLIES ARE COLLECTED FROM LOCAL RETAILERS, DISTRIBUTORS, VETERINARIANS, AND INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.