Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Variety the Childrens Charity of Illinois

EIN 36-1908475 · Downers Grove, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 54 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING THE EQUIPMENT NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE AND EXPERIENCES NEEDED TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL.

Income
$247,788
Spending
$276,337
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
1
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$85,620, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 54 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (3)
  1. $77,040 spent. VARIETY OFFERS PROGRAMS KNOW AS "VARIETY AT PLAY" OFFERING INCLUSIVE, ACCESSIBLE ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. VARIETY PROVIDED SEVERAL ADAPTIVE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMS DURING THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, BENEFITTING OVER 2,500 CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
  2. $62,001 spent. VARIETY PROVIDES ASSISTIVE DEVICES NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE TO CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TO SUPPORT A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE AS WELL AS COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT AT HOME, SCHOOL AND THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS "ADAPT MY WORLD" PROGRAM AND "KIDS ON THE GO" PROGRAM.
  3. $1,090 spent. VARIETY THE CHILDRENS CHARITY OF IL OFFERS SUPPORT TO THE MANY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN OF IL. SOME OF THE LARGER EXPENSES ARE THE SUNSHINE COACH USED TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING, AND DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ALSO HELPING THE SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN OF IL.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1980.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.