Chicago Youth Centers
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide high-quality early learning and out-of-school time enrichment in under-resourced neighborhoods to holistically support children of all ages, their families, and their communities.
- Income
- $13.1 million
- Spending
- $14.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 76%
- Employees
- 148
- Volunteers
- 756
- Highest pay
- $261,398, president/ceo (until 08/2024)
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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 29% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2542 of 42 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $8.7 million spent. Early Childhood Education - Preschool children are provided a safe, caring environment for healthy growth and development. Chicago Youth Centers' program offers educational, social, mental health, and disabilities services for children in Chicago Youth Centers' neighborhoods, aged 0-5 through Early Head Start, Head Start, and pre-kindergarten programs. 414 children served and 385 parents served.
- $2.2 million spent. School-Age Child Development - This after-school program provides activities to kids aged 6-12, including full days of care on out-of-school days and during the summer. Activities include tutoring, homework help, computer training, visual and performing arts, sports and recreation, life skills development, community service work, and parent engagement activities. The program provides a safe environment for group activities with an emphasis on academic success, making good choices and expanding one's horizons. 765 children served and 519 parents served.
- $1.4 million spent. Teen Leadership Development - This program for youth aged 13-19, focuses on leadership and life skills development, violence prevention, service learning, computer training, cooking and nutrition, sports and recreation, and parent engagement activities. The program engages and provides support for higher education, job readiness and career awareness to help create the drive for greater levels of success in life. 309 children served and 179 parents served.
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
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1957.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.