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Metropolitan Family Services

EIN 36-2167940 · Merrionette Park, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Metropolitan Family Services' mission is to provide and mobilize the services needed to strengthen families and communities.

Income
$180.2 million
Spending
$177.9 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 72%
Employees
1,959
Volunteers
562
Highest pay
$388,211, 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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 28% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    72 of 72 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. $88.4 million spent. Empowerment: We help families stand up and be heard.The Legal Aid Society provides a wide range of essential legal services to low-income families who, without us, would have no other access to legal help. We offer legal assistance for cases of domestic violence, family and elder law, and housing and consumer issues, and hold workshops to educate people of their rights in these areas. All Legal Aid Society clients have access to the full scope of counseling and other services offered by Metropolitan Family Services. In addition, Public Policy initiatives advocate for better laws and systems that are more responsive to the needs of low-income families.Number of Clients Served - 129,932
  2. $36.7 million spent. Education: We prepare young people and parents for success.Our programs promote academic achievement and social and emotional development among children, youth and families to foster success in life. Helping parents, especially younger parents, prepare for the challenges of parenting ensures that children are cared for, nurtured and experience a future of promise and opportunity.Number of Clients Served - 23,266
  3. $23.6 million spent. Emotional Wellness: We encourage healthy and productive lives. Through supportive, caring counseling, individuals and families in any phase of life are empowered to better handle life's challenges. Our mental health services provide psychiatric evaluation, case management and crisis intervention to help children and adults with chronic mental illness recover and be productive. We also offer assistance for older adults and their caregivers to meet the unique concerns of this stage of life. Compassionate violence prevention programs alleviate the impact of community or domestic violence. And specialized veterans' services help returning soldiers and their families reintegrate into civilian life and reconnect with one another.Number of Clients Served - 17,615
  4. $11.3 million spent. Economic Stability: We support strong, self-sustaining families.Our programs offer support and education to economically challenged families so they may improve the quality of their work, lifestyle and finances. We help families prepare for, find and sustain stable jobs and housing, which is vital to long-term stability. Through specialized counseling services, our Employee Assistance Network helps employees remain productive and achieve balance between their work and personal lives.Number of Clients Served - 35,148

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 June 1952.

    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.