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Workers Education Society NFP

EIN 32-0007123 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A VOLUNTEER BASED ORGANIZATION. WES'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE EDUCATION AND WELFARE OF WORKING AND UNEMPLOYED FAMILIES IN ILLINOIS AND TO CONDUCT EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WHICH ADVANCE THE WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$127,521
Spending
$67,943
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 91% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 (2)
  1. $44,332 spent. THE WORKERS EDUCATION SOCIETY ("WES") PROVIDED A SITE AND INTAKE WORKERS FOR LOW INCOME ILLINOIS RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDED ASSISTANCE WITH UTILITY BILLS AND WEATHERIZATION. FUNDING WAS PROVIDED BY THE LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ("LIHEAP"). THE SITE IS UTILIZED AS A MEETING VENUE FOR AGENCIES PARTICIPATING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ("CEDA") AND FOR TRAINING OF NEW INTAKE WORKERS. COMMUNITY MEMBERS DONATE HUNDREDS OF HOURS TO DO COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM.
  2. $7,566 spent. WES'S UNITY CENTER COMMUNITY RESOURCE PROGRAM HELPS NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS WITH CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS CONCRETE RESOURCES. CULTURAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ITS ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION, A MAY DAY POTLUCK, A REVIEW OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHICAGO FILM FESTIVAL, A STATE OF THE UNION WATCH PARTY, AN OUTING TO A WHITESOX GAME, AND REHEARSALS OF THE CHICAGO CHINESE CHORAS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALIVIO MEDICAL CENTER, ALIVIO'S PILSEN SATELLITE CENTER, WES PROVIDES COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ACCESS HEALTHCARE THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND INFORMATION ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE PROGRAMS. THE RESOURCE CENTER PROMOTES LITERACY THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE LABOR LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY BOOK EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

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 October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 September 2023.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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