Chicago Advertising Federation
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
SAME AS MISSION STATEMENT ON 990 PAGE 1, PART 1, LINE 1 AND CONTINUING ON SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $422,326
- Spending
- $471,927
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 40
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- CAF HOLDS SEVERAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO CREATE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE CHICAGO ADVERTISING COMMUNITY. THESE EVENTS INCLUDE:CAREER DAY, WHICH IS A ONE DAY EVENT FOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, COUNSELORS, AND PROFESSORS TO ATTEND AND LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD OF ADVERTISING. THE DAY INCLUDES SEVERAL KEYNOTE SPEAKERS, PANEL DISCUSSION SESSIONS AND A NETWORKING LUNCH. SILVER MEDAL AWARDS, WHICH IS AN ANNUAL EVENT THAT HONORS A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE CHICAGO ADVERTISING COMMUNITY FOR HIS/HER CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO THE ADVERTISING FIELD. ADVERTISING WOMAN OF THE YEAR (AWOY) -- EACH YEAR A DISTINGUISHED FEMALE IN THE CHICAGO ADVERTISING COMMUNITY IS SELECTED BY A VOTE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AFTER CONSIDERATION OF NOMINEES, AS THE ADVERTISING WOMAN OF THE YEAR.
- CAF HOSTS THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS (ADDY AWARDS), WHICH IS A LOCAL COMPETITION FOR THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION'S (AAF) AWARDS PROGRAM AND SENDS ITS WINNERS TO THE DISTRICT LEVEL COMPETITION. WINNERS FROM THE DISTRICT LEVEL GO ON TO THE NATIONAL COMPETITION. THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS ARE THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY'S LARGEST AND MOST REPRESENTATIVE NATIONAL COMPETITION.
- PROFESSIONAL ENRICHMENT -- CAF HOSTS VARIOUS SEMINARS AND INDUSTRY DIVERSITY PROGRAMS WHICH ALLOW NETWORKING, LEARNING AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY. YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PARTICIPATE IN ATTENDING AND ASSIST IN ADMINISTRATION OF THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH SERVES AS A WAY TO GET THEM INVOLVED IN THE ORGANIZATION.
- COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT -- DONATIONS TO OFF THE STREET CLUB FULFILLS THE FEDERATION'S MISSION COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FUNDING TO CHICAGO'S OLDEST BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, SERVING MORE THAN 3,000 KIDS IN ONE OF CHICAGO'S MOST DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOODS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(7) social or recreational club.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(7) social or recreational club as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1937.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.