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Family Institute

EIN 36-2682639 · Evanston, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 85 cents.

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

What it says it does

Our mission is to strengthen and heal families and individuals from all walks of life through clinical service, education and research.

Income
$47.1 million
Spending
$45.5 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
223
Volunteers
132
Highest pay
$623,891, president / ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100.

  • 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

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 85 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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

    18 of 19 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 August 31, 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 (4)
  1. $26.0 million spent. Graduate Education: The Family Institute (TFI) is preparing the next generation of leaders in mental health as a premier provider of two Master-level programs, Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling. All teaching faculty are dedicated to ensuring students receive the most hands-on experiential training possible both at TFI and in the community.
  2. $13.8 million spent. Clinical Practice: TFI's clinical practice brings together a diverse collection psychotherapists as well as psychiatrists and neuropsychological assessment psychologists into a world-class system of mental health care. In our work to develop the next generation of leaders and innovators in couple and family therapy, this system includes postdoctoral and postgraduate fellows as well as psychiatry residents with Northwestern Medicine. See Schedule O for continuation.While our practice is made up of clinicians with diverse training backgrounds, licensures, board accreditations, and specialties, our approach to care through a relationship-based and systemic lens defines us collectively. We respect and understand our clients in the context of their relationships, life stage and community. We provide individuals, couples and families from all walks of life treatment that is empirically informed, theoretically grounded and culturally responsive. We know that mental health is inextricably woven with whole health, and we are proud to be a partner with our clients on their path to greater well-being.
  3. $1.3 million spent. The Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic delivers complimentary therapy sessions via teletherapy and at our Chicago and Evanston office locations. Staffed by graduate-level therapists-in-training from Northwestern University's Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy programs, under the guidance of our experienced licensed therapists, we collectively provide profoundly meaningful and accessible therapy experiences for our clients.
  4. $691,835 spent. Research is fully integrated into our clinical and education efforts, as well as our relationship with Northwestern University. Through active research projects and external grants, The Family Institute's researchers continue to advance the field of behavioral health and prioritize sharing their findings with the larger community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 November 1970.

    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.