Alternatives Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ALTERNATIVES, INC.'S MISSION IS TO FACILITATE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT,STRENGTHEN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND ENHANCE THE COMMUNITY'S WELL BEING. SERVING OVER 3,000 YOUTH AND FAMILIES ANNUALLY, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS A RANGE OF COUNSELING AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
- Income
- $8.7 million
- Spending
- $9.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 4.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 82%
- Employees
- 240
- Volunteers
- 63
- Highest pay
- $203,677, executive 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
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 69% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $2.1 million spent. RESTORATIVE JUSTICE - ALTERNATIVE'S PROGRAMS BUILD ON YOUTH'S ASSETS AND ARE DESIGNED WITH INPUT FROM THE YOUTH TO BUILD PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND REDUCE RISK-FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH NEGATIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR PEERS. THE PROGRAMS OFFER YOUTH A SAFE SPACE FOR SELF-EXPRESSION, DISCOVERY, SKILL-BUILDING, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUDE GIRL WORLD, CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, URBAN ARTS, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM. THESE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE HIGHLY COLLABORATIVE, UTILIZING INTERNAL REFERRALS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE YOUTH RECEIVE ALL OF THE SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO DEVELOP HEALTH AND STABILITY. ALTERNATIVES WORKS WITH MORE THAN 3,000 YOUTH.
- $4.0 million spent. CLINICAL SERVICES - BY COMBINING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THROUGH CLINICAL SERVICES WITH THE POSITIVE SKILL-BUILDING PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, ALTERNATIVES IS ABLE TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES AND DEVELOPING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS; SUCCEEDING ACADEMICALLY; BUILDING STRONG COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS WHILE POSITIONING THEM AS LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. OUR CLINICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING, SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING, AND FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES.
- $678,867 spent. SYSTEMS AND TRAINING - OUR TRAINING TEAM DELIVERS COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NOT ONLY WITHIN CHICAGO BUT ALSO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. OUR TRAININGS ARE PERFECT FOR ADULTS WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE OFFER TRAINING IN RACIAL EQUITY, TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES, AND MORE.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.