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Aspire of Illinois

EIN 36-2654558 · Hillside, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ASPIRE'S MISSION IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO EVER-GREATER POSSIBILITIES FOR LEARNING, JOBS, AND SAFE PLACES TO CALL HOME.

Income
$23.9 million
Spending
$20.9 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
362
Volunteers
225
Highest pay
$308,960, president, ceo & director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 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. $11.0 million spent. LIVING: PROVIDES SUPPORT IN COMMUNITY GROUP HOMES ASSISTING RESIDENTS TO DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS, EMPOWER PEOPLE THROUGH LIFE EXPERIENCES AND ALLOW RESIDENTS TO INTERACT WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES. APPROXIMATELY 130 INDIVIDUALS RESIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY HOMES.
  2. $4.0 million spent. LEARNING: PROVIDES CURRICULUM BASED LEARNING AND EXPLORATION OF LIFE AND CAREER TOPICS TO SUPPORT THE SUCCESS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
  3. $565,108 spent. INDEPENDENT LIVING: PROVIDES SUPPORT IN PERSONAL RESIDENCES ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS IN DEVELOPING LIFE SKILLS AND PROMOTING INDEPENDENT LIVING.
  4. $635,908 spent. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: PROVIDES ASSESSMENT, INTERVENTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF POSITIVE STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVED SOCIAL INTERACTIONS, RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION. APPROXIMATELY 125 PEOPLE RECEIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED BY OUR BEHAVIOR THERAPISTS AND BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS.
  5. $1.2 million spent. CAREERS: PROVIDES ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL EMPLOYMENT WITH JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS. DURING 2025, ASPIRE LAUNCHED AN EMPLOYMENT TRAINING PROGRAM FUNDED BY A DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A 10-WEEK JOB TRAINING COURSE WITH AN 8-WEEK PAID INTERNSHIP WITHIN THE DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY.
  6. $212,909 spent. COFFEEWORKS: SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP WITH METROPOLIS COFFEE COMPANY AND CANTEEN-VENDING TO EMPLOY ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES TO ROAST AND SHIP COFFEE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ALL NET PROCEEDS BENEFIT ASPIRE.

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 October 13, 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 May 1969.

    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 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.