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Sunshine Gospel Ministries

EIN 36-2317631 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUNSHINE GOSPEL MINISTRIES EXISTS TO SEEK RENEWAL IN THE CITY THROUGH MINISTRIES OF DISCIPLESHIP, MERCY AND JUSTICE. THE ORGANIZATION ACCOMPLISHES ITS MISSION THROUGH BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, TEACHING, MENTORING, DEVELOPING LIFE SKILLS, CARE AND ADVOCACY IN THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
-8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
36
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$111,169, trustee, exec director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 38% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (6)
  1. $637,387 spent. YOUTH OUTREACH: YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAMS SERVE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL AGES. EACH PROGRAM PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH A STRUCTURED AFTER-SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES POSITIVE VALUES AND FOSTERS A COMMITMENT TO LEARNING. YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS ACADEMIC, CREATIVE, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, RECEIVE TUTORING, AND LEARN HOW TO FORM A STRONG, POSITIVE IDENTITY.
  2. $41,066 spent. BRIDGE BUILDERS: BRIDGE BUILDERS HELPS TO CONNECT PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS TO PROMOTE A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHALLENGES FACING INNER-CITY COMMUNITIES. THOSE FROM AN OUTSIDE CONTEXT TYPICALLY HEAR AND SEE MOSTLY NEGATIVE PORTRAYALS OF THE INNER CITY, OFTEN CONTRIBUTING TO UNHELPFUL LABELING AND MISGUIDED INTERACTIONS. WE BELIEVE THE GIFTEDNESS OF THE COMMUNITY IS MORE CLEARLY SEEN THROUGH FOSTERING HEALTHY, MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES THAT COMBINE LEARNING WITH ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT.
  3. $240,490 spent. FLOURISHING COMMUNITY INITIATIVE: THE FLOURISHING COMMUNITY INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE IN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT THIRD DISTRICT BY WORKING HANDS-ON WITH NEIGHBORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE. THE WORK WILL MAKE EXTENSIVE USE OF DATA TO TRACK CONDITIONS, ACTIVITIES, AND OUTCOMES. THIS DATE WILL BE USED TO MEASURE IMPACT AS WELL AS TO COMMUNICATE WITH ALL PARTNERS, ADVISORS, CITY AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTS.
  4. $107,255 spent. FAMILYHOOD EQUIPS PARENTS, TEACHERS, YOUTH WORKERS, AND OTHER ADULTS TO AID CHILDREN IN BECOMING HEALTHY, CARING, AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS. FAMILIES FOCUS ON POSITIVE COMMUNICATION WHILE WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BUILD SUPPORT NETWORKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, HELPING THEM BUILD KEY DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS, AND FOSTERING GROWTH.
  5. $231,838 spent. THE HOUSING PROGRAM EXISTS TO BRING ABOUT THE STABILIZATION AND REVITALIZATION OF THE WOODLAWN COMMUNITY.
  6. $16,994 spent. SUNSHINE GOSPEL MINISTRIES IS CONSTRUCTING A 77,000-SQUARE-FOOT COMMUNITY CENTER TO CONTINUE 120 YEARS OF SERVICE ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE. THE ORGANIZATION'S BELIEF IN PLACE-BASED STRATEGIES DIRECTLY FEEDS INTO THE GOALS AND VISIONS OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH IS TO ENCOURAGE THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS BY BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC VITALITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 May 1947.

    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.