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Little City Foundation

EIN 36-2434562 · Palatine, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 61 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ARE PROVIDED WITH THE BEST OPTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE SAFELY, WORK PRODUCTIVELY, EXPLORE CREATIVELY, LEARN CONTINUOUSLY AND PLAY PLEASURABLY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIME.

Income
$50.1 million
Spending
$49.9 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
616
Volunteers
457
Highest pay
$200,540, executive director 7/23-2/24

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 61 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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

    23 of 23 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, 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 (7)
  1. $13.2 million spent. CHILDREN'S RESIDENTIAL- PROVIDES 24 HOUR, HIGHLY SPECIALIZED CARE FOR CHILDREN IN HOMES ON LITTLE CITY FOUNDATION'S CAMPUS IN PALATINE, ILLINOIS. THE PROGRAM OFFERS TREATMENT PLANNING, CASE MANAGEMENT, BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS AND INTERVENTION, INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY, RECREATION, MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, INCLUDING AUTISM, IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SKILLS AND TO INCREASE THEIR INDEPENDENCE.
  2. $10.1 million spent. ADULT RESIDENTIAL - LITTLE CITY FOUNDATION PROVIDES A VARIETY OF LIVING OPTIONS THAT GIVE ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE CHOICES AND LIVE A FULL AND SATISFYING LIFE. THE PROGRAM OFFERS PARTICIPANTS ASSISTANCE IN DAILY LIVING, BUDGETING AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME AS INDEPENDENT, HEALTHY AND AS HAPPY AS POSSIBLE.
  3. $8.5 million spent. FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION SERVICES - PLACES CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO THE AGE OF 21 WHO ARE UNABLE TO LIVE WITH THEIR BIRTH FAMILIES DUE TO ABUSE OR NEGLECT INTO QUALITY HOMES WITH SPECIALLY TRAINED FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO FINDING LOVING FOSTER TO PERMANENT HOMES FOR CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS, AND/OR MEDICAL NEEDS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND CHILD-SPECIFIC TREATMENT TO ASSIST CHILDREN IN ACHIEVING THEIR INDIVIDUAL GOALS.
  4. $5.3 million spent. VOCATIONAL, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES - ASSISTS ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE, TAX-PAYING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY BY EARNING MONEY FOR MEANINGFUL WORK. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES BASED ON INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CAPABILITIES ARE PROVIDED TO LITTLE CITY RESIDENTS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THE LIFE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS WITH SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE BY HELPING THEM LEARN VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS INCLUDING PERSONAL HYGIENE, SOCIAL SKILLS, PRE-EMPLOYMENT SKILLS AND COOKING.
  5. $4.4 million spent. THERAPEUTIC DAY SCHOOL - PROVIDES PROGRESSIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, AS WELL AS STUDENTS WITH SEVERE AND PROFOUND NEEDS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES INTEGRATED LIFE SKILLS, ACADEMIC, CLINICAL AND TRANSITIONAL SERVICES TO HELP CHILDREN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. CLASSES ARE SELF-CONTAINED, SMALL IN SIZE WITH A TEACHER AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT STAFF FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL. STUDENTS ARE GROUPED IN AGE APPROPRIATE CLASSES WITH NO MORE THAN A FOUR-YEAR SPAN IN ANY ONE GROUP. THE PROGRAM TAKES ADVANTAGE OF AVAILABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCES IN ADDITION TO MAKING FULL USE OF THE RECREATIONAL, THERAPEUTIC AND SUPPORT SERVICE OPTIONS STATIONED ACROSS THE CAMPUS.
  6. $743,284 spent. BEHAVIORAL THERAPY TREATMENT - CHARGED WITH PROVIDING CLINICAL SERVICES FOR BOTH THE CHILDREN AND ADULT PROGRAMS. THE PROGRAM SERVES INDIVIDUALS WITH VARYING SKILLS DEFICITS RELATED TO AUTISM AND RELATED DISORDERS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ARE AIMED AT ENHANCING ADAPTIVE SKILLS AND DEVELOPING REPLACEMENT BEHAVIORS WHICH MAXIMIZE THE INDIVIDUALS' LEVEL OF INDEPENDENT FUNCTIONING, CHOICE AND QUALITY OF LIFE. THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO PROVIDE ON-GOING ASSESSMENT, QUALITY ASSURANCE, MONITORING AND STAFF TRAINING.
  7. $77,867 spent. HOME-BASED SUPPORT - A UNIQUE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES RESPITE AND INDIVIDUALIZED HOME-BASED SUPPORT TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE A CHILD OR FAMILY MEMBER WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE THE INDIVIDUAL'S ADAPTIVE AND SOCIAL SKILLS, ALLOWING THEM TO REMAIN IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE, FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 2024.

    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 1959.

    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.