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Childrens Home & Aid Society of Illinois

EIN 36-2167743 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1883, BRIGHTPOINT (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHILDREN'S HOME & AID) IS A LEADING STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING FAMILIES SO CHILDREN CAN THRIVE.

Income
$85.7 million
Spending
$84.5 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
1,232
Volunteers
711
Highest pay
$469,435, 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: 57 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    39 of 39 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 (4)
  1. $26.3 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION: A STRONG DEVELOPMENTAL FOUNDATION FROM 0-5 CREATES THRIVING CHILDREN. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING BUILDS STRONG FOUNDATIONS IN ACADEMIC, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL SKILLS, LEADING TO LIFELONG POSITIVE OUTCOMES. BRIGHTPOINT PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS OLD AT NO COST TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES, OFFERING BOTH CENTER-BASED HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START AND HOMEBASED OPTIONS, PLUS PARENT EDUCATION, DOULA SUPPORT, AND COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH, NUTRITION, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.BRIGHTPOINT SERVES MORE THAN 2,000 CHILDREN IN OUR CENTERS AND OVER 700 FAMILIES THROUGH HOME VISITING ACROSS SIX SITES STATEWIDE. FAMILIES ALSO BENEFIT FROM CONTINUITY OF CARE, DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, CASE MANAGEMENT, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, AND STRONG WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS THAT CONNECT THEM TO ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES. QUALITY EARLY LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS OLD AT NO COST TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES, OFFERING BOTH CENTER BASED HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START AND HOME BASED OPTIONS, PLUS PARENT EDUCATION, DOULA SUPPORT, AND COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH, NUTRITION, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.BRIGHTPOINT SERVES MORE THAN 2,000 CHILDREN IN OUR CENTERS AND OVER 700 FAMILIES THROUGH HOME VISITING ACROSS SIX SITES STATEWIDE. FAMILIES ALSO BENEFIT FROM CONTINUITY OF CARE, DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, CASE MANAGEMENT, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, AND STRONG WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS THAT CONNECT THEM TO ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
  2. $19.6 million spent. CHILD WELFARE: ALL FAMILIES FACE CHALLENGES THAT MAKE CARING FOR THEIR CHILDREN DIFFICULT AT TIMES. WE HELP PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS RECOGNIZE THEIR STRENGTHS, NORMALIZE THEIR CHALLENGES, AND LEARN NEW SKILLS THAT PROMOTE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF EVERYONE. OUR CHILD WELFARE SERVICES PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND TANGIBLE SUPPORT, WHICH IS FAMILY-CENTRIC TO ENSURE WE OFFER SOLUTIONS TO MEET INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. WHEN FAMILIES ARE UNABLE TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, BRIGHTPOINT WORKS TO FIND SUITABLE HOMES FOR THEIR CHILDREN WITH CAREGIVERS WHO CAN PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE CARE. FAMILIES RECEIVE SUPPORT SERVICES TO ADDRESS THE CONDITIONS WHICH LEAD TO INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. OUR STAFF PARTNER WITH BIOLOGICAL FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS TO SUPPORT REUNIFICATION OR MOVE FORWARD WITH ADOPTION OR GUARDIANSHIP IF REUNIFICATION IS NOT POSSIBLE.
  3. $12.9 million spent. MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS: OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS STRENGTHEN FAMILIES THROUGH THERAPY AND COUNSELING. WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO PARENTS, CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AGES 4 21 YEARS OLD, ACROSS ILLINOIS, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND GROUP THERAPY AS WELL AS CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES SUCH AS MEDICAL PROVIDERS, HOUSING RESOURCES AND FOOD ASSISTANCE. OUR TEAM OF LICENSED AND EXPERIENCED COUNSELORS CREATE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO EXPLORE AND NAVIGATE THEIR UNIQUE LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES.
  4. $12.6 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE CHILD AND FAMILY COUNSELING, PARENTAL SUPPORT, YOUTH SERVICES, AND PROGRAM SERVICES MANAGEMENT WHICH ALL SERVE TO GIVE CHILDREN HELP, HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY.

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 1933.

    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.