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826chi Inc NFP

EIN 30-0248920 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUPPORT STUDENTS AGES 6 TO 18 WITH THEIR CREATIVE AND EXPOSITORY WRITING SKILLS, AND TO HELP TEACHERS INSPIRE THEIR STUDENTS TO WRITE.

Income
$672,271
Spending
$470,213
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
4
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$74,404, 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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $368,619 spent. AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS: FOUR DAYS A WEEK, CARING AND SUPPORTIVE VOLUNTEERS OFFER INDIVIDUALIZED HOMEWORK HELP TO FIRST THROUGH EIGHTH GRADERS. STUDENTS ALSO SHARPEN THEIR WRITING SKILLS WITH A DAILY CREATIVE WRITING ACTIVITY. EACH SEMESTER, THEIR WRITING IS PUBLISHED IN A CHAPBOOK AND CELEBRATED BY THE 826CHI COMMUNITY.FIELD TRIPS:ON WEEKDAY MORNINGS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, WE INVITE CLASSROOMS TO OUR WRITING LAB FOR CREATIVE WRITING EXPERIENCES. FIELD TRIPS ARE TUITION-FREE, OFFERED TO CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSES IN GRADES ONE THROUGH TWELVE, AND FOCUS ON A VARIETY OF WRITING SKILLS. EACH OF OUR SIX DIFFERENT FIELD TRIP EXPERIENCES IS DESIGNED TO BE PROJECTBASED, COLLABORATIVE, PLAYFUL, EMPOWERING, IMAGINATIVE, AND TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO SHARE THEIR IDEAS IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE VOICES.

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 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 June 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 January 2005.

    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.