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Chicago Historical Society

EIN 36-2167004 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Chicago History Museum strives to be a destination for learning, inspiration, and civic engagement. Through dynamic exhibitions, tours, programs, digital resources, and special events, the Museum connects people to Chicago's history and to each other.

Income
$11.9 million
Spending
$19.1 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
10.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 29%
Employees
258
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$361,936, president & ceo

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: 51 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 61% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    41 of 41 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

    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 (3)
  1. $8.4 million spent. EDUCATION AND AUDIENCE - At the heart of the Chicago History Museum's mission to connect people to Chicago's history and each other, is our commitment to design and offer meaningful and relevant programs, resources, and experiences within and beyond the museum walls. We strive to empower and inspire learners of all ages and backgrounds to investigate Chicago's rich histories and nurture their curiosity and potential to be active history makers. Through rich and diverse educational experiences and programs, we hope to inspire lifelong learning and contribute to shaping an urban society that is inclusive, empathetic, and aware of its power to learn from and make history and influence positive change for future generations. In FY24, a set of key programming and learning guidelines was established to ensure departmental learning was in alignment with CHM's institutional mission, contemporary museum learning discourse, and the nuanced needs of the groups the department serves. These guidelines required programming to be learner-centered, culturally responsive, inquiry and civic-minded, and actively anti-racist; allowing audiences to see themselves in history and make meaningful connections to their lives and Chicago.
  2. $3.6 million spent. COLLECTIONS AND RESEARCH CHM houses a significant collection of artifacts, archives, and research materials, including over 23 million objects, over 30,000 linear feet of documents, and over five million images. Among these materials are numerous items pertaining to Abraham Lincoln, one of the largest clothing and textile collections in the country, the Chicago Daily News and Chicago Sun-Times newspaper photo morgues, color photography taken by Vivian Maier, and the complete library of Studs Terkel's WFMT interviews. CHM seeks to maximize the discoverability and use of its collections through exhibition, digitization, and research. CHM's Abakanowicz Research Center (ARC), a non-circulating library, facilitates in-person access to books, periodicals, and archival materials, including photographic materials. CHM's website introduces hundreds of thousands of annual online visitors to its collection, including access to over 370,000 digital images and an online catalog. It also provides visitors with the ability to make research inquiries.
  3. $2.0 million spent. EXHIBITIONS CHM shares Chicago's stories, enabling visitors to explore historical themes and events and reflect on the city's diverse communities. CHM exhibits photos, videos, artifacts, and interactive displays that connect audiences to history. Exhibitions are designed, fabricated, and installed according to national industry best practices and with an eye for innovative methods of interpretation.

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 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 June 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 October 1932.

    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.