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Henry Booth House

EIN 36-2171681 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The organization is organized to provide social services for children and families from Birth thru five years of age. Our mission is to "improve the quality of life for families in culturally and economically diverse Chicago communities by providing comprehensive and integrated early childhood learning, family health, and social services."

Income
$20.2 million
Spending
$20.0 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
128
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$237,034, 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 30% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 58% 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 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (2)
  1. $16.6 million spent. With a 127-year social services legacy, over 3 decades of providing early childhood learning direct services to children and families in over 21 Chicago communities, Henry Booth House has provided holistic, integrated child development and family services via a seamless Birth to Five continuum. We are dedicated to our mission in improving the quality of life for families in culturally and economically diverse Chicago communities by providing comprehensive and integrated early childhood learning, family health and social services. With an army of 75+ early childhood professionals, our overarching goal is to intervene with the highest quality programs and services at the earliest time possible, when quality programs and services have the greatest impact in optimizing the quality of life for a child and the contributions that child will make through adulthood to the greater society.
  2. $2.0 million spent. In that vein, we are a recognized leader in providing high quality early childhood development programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, Pre-School for All, Prevention Initiative, Healthy Families of Illinois, MIECHV, Doula and Women, Infants and Children. These programs provide comprehensive early learning supports for the children and families we serve from conception, to the cradle, to the classroom, ultimately preparing our children and families for kindergarten readiness. Each year, we serve over 4,000 of our most at-risk, youngest Chicagoans in meeting and exceeding their developmental milestones. Moreover, we recognize the success of our children is inextricably linked to the success of their families. Therefore, we anchor all our services in a family centered focus, working side by side, helping families in identifying and securing basic needs, employment, healthcare and all aspirational goals aligned with their personal and professional growth. All in all, at Henry Booth House, we get children ready to learn and their families ready for life, lifelong self-sufficiency and success.

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 January 1988.

    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.