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Esperanza Community Services

EIN 36-2678083 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, TO HELP THEM REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL TOWARD A PRODUCTIVE AND INDEPENDENT LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$8.5 million
Spending
$8.0 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
155
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$193,592, 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

Good: 71 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (5)
  1. $4.3 million spent. ESPERANZA SCHOOL - A PRIVATE, THERAPEUTIC SCHOOL SERVING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5 AND 21. THE SCHOOL'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE INSTRUCTION AND SERVICES NEEDED BY STUDENTS WITH DISABILITEIS TO BECOME AS PRODUCTIVE AND INDEPENDENT AS POSSIBLE IN SCHOOL, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY LIFE.
  2. $1.8 million spent. COMMUNITY INTEGRATED LIVING ARRANGEMENTS (CILA) - THE CILA PROGRAM OF THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO OFFER RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT THAT REFLECTS THE CHOICES OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CILAS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES RESIDENTS WITH TRAINING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE IN DAILY LIVING, ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION.
  3. $726,938 spent. COLERIDGE ADULT TRAINING PROGRAM - SERVES ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AGES 21 AND OLDER. THE PROGRAM TRAINS ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE DECISIONS, DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS, AND MOVE TOWARD GREATER INDEPENDENCE.
  4. $89,541 spent. THE BEHAVIOR PROGRAM - USES RESEARCH-BASED TECHNIQUES TO HELP PARTICIPANTS REDUCE BEHAVIORS THAT ARE INTERFERING WITH THEIR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE GOALS WHILE HELPING THEM IMPROVE COMMUNICATION, FOCUS, AND OTHER POSITIVE SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THEM BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT.
  5. $142,244 spent. CLIENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM - PROVIDING CLIENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH IN-HOME CASE MANAGEMENT, HELP ACCESSING CRITICAL BENEFITS FOR WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE, AS WELL AS THE KNOWLEDGE AND CONFIDENCE TO ACCESS THESE RESOURCES THEMSELVES.

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 October 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.