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Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County Inc

EIN 36-2597741 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CEDA IS A COUNTY-WIDE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY THAT PROVIDES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY AND CHICAGO RESIDENTS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT. CEDA OFFERS EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND DIRECT SERVICES.

Income
$168.1 million
Spending
$167.0 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
579
Volunteers
83
Highest pay
$352,807, 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (6)
  1. $119.8 million spent. ENERGY SERVICES ASSISTS ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS IN REDUCING HOME HEATING AND COOLING COSTS. A MONETARY BENEFIT TOWARDS ENERGY BILLS IS PROVIDED ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT. COUNSELING, OUTREACH, INFORMATION AND REFERRALS TO OTHER ENERGY RELATED PROGRAMS ARE ALSO PROVIDED.
  2. $22.9 million spent. ENERGY CONSERVATION OFFERS WEATHERIZATION AND REHABILITATION TO ELIGIBLE, LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. THE PROCESS ENTAILS ASSESSING THE HOME, EVALUATING ITS ENERGY EFFICIENCY THROUGH SOPHISTICATED TESTING, AND THEN DEVELOPING A WORK ORDER TO CORRECT DEFICIENCIES.
  3. $10.8 million spent. HEALTH AND NUTRITION: SEVERAL PROGRAMS THAT AIM TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH STATUES OF HIGH RISK WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN BY PROVIDING NUTRITION EDUCATION, COMPREHENSIVE AND INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO YOUNG TEEN PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN; ENSURE THAT THE TEEN PARENT OBTAINS HIS/HER HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND ASSIST FAMILIES TO HELP THEMSELVES BECOME MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT, COMPETENT AND FEEL EMPOWERED.
  4. $4.8 million spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SERVICES
  5. $1.5 million spent. COMMUNITY MORTGAGE HOUSING COUNSELING
  6. $1.3 million spent. UPLIFT HARVEY

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 November 1966.

    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.