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Lydia Home Association

EIN 36-1412810 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF LYDIA HOME ASSOCIATION IS TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES TO CARE FOR CHILDREN AND TO CARE FOR CHILDREN WHEN FAMILIES CANNOT. THIS MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A DIVERSE RANGE OF PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MEET THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF AT-RISK CHILDREN AND FAMILIES INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, FOSTER CARE, AND INTACT FAMILY SERVICES.

Income
$26.7 million
Spending
$25.7 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
340
Volunteers
700
Highest pay
$180,310, 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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 58% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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. $15.9 million spent. RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE - LYDIA'S RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES A STRUCTURED, THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT FOR 80 CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH SERIOUS BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, MANY OF WHOM HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY ABUSE OR NEGLECT. THE AIM OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE HEALING AND TO TEACH CHILDREN THE PRACTICAL LIFE SKILLS THEY NEED TO LIVE IN A HOME SETTING SUCCESSFULLY.
  2. $3.1 million spent. FOSTER CARE - LYDIA'S FOSTER CARE PROGRAM TEMPORARILY PLACES CHILDREN OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOMES DUE TO ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR OTHER FAMILY PROBLEMS. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF RETURNING THE CHILD HOME. WHEN THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE, MEASURES ARE TAKEN TO GET THE CHILDREN ADOPTED, OR PREPARED FOR INDEPENDENT LIFE.
  3. $3.0 million spent. INTACT FAMILY SERVICES - LYDIA'S INTACT FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM WORKS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR REMOVAL AND OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT, BY PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH NEEDED IN-HOME SERVICES, INCLUDING THOSE FOR CASE MANAGEMENT; COUNSELING; SUBSTANCE ABUSE; PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND BEHAVIORAL HEATH; AND PARENT TRAINING.
  4. $262,419 spent. OTHER - LYDIA HAS AN INTERNATIONAL MISSIONARY PROGRAM AS WELL AS A COUNSELING CENTER.

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 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 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 August 1942.

    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.

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.