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Volunteers of America Inc

EIN 36-2723047 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OF ILLINOIS PARTNERS WITH THE PEOPLE WE SERVE TO CREATE TRANSFORMATIONAL AND LASTING CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT, EMPOWER, AND TRANSFORM.

Income
$17.7 million
Spending
$17.5 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 82%
Employees
201
Volunteers
330
Highest pay
$177,803, 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

Good: 86 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 90 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (4)
  1. $11.5 million spent. PROMOTING SELF-SUFFICIENCY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM'S GOAL IS TO HELP HOMELESS VETERANS ACHIEVE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND OVERALL STABILITY IN THEIR LIVES WITH THE SUPPORT, TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED TO SECURE AND MAINTAIN VIABLE, LONG-TERM EMPLOYMENT. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERANS & FAMILIES (SSVF) - PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO LOW INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES LIVING IN OR TRANSITIONING TO PERMANENT HOUSING. SERVICES INCLUDE OUTREACH, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER BENEFITS. BENEFITS MAY INCLUDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES, FIDUCIARY AND PAYEE SERVICES, DAILY LIVING SERVICES, PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING, LEGAL, TRANSPORTATION, CHILD CARE, AND HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES. IN ADDITION, THESE PROGRAMS MAY ALSO PROVIDE TIME-LIMITED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THIRD PARTY VENDORS (LANDLORDS, UTILITY COMPANIES AND OTHER VENDORS) TO HELP VETERAN FAMILIES REMAIN IN OR ACQUIRE PERMANENT HOUSING. OUTREACH - PROGRAMS WITH THE GOAL OF ENGAGING HOMELESS PERSONS WHO ARE LIVING ON THE STREETS OR THOSE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS BY LINKING THEM WITH SUPPORT AND SERVICES. COMPUTER CENTER - PROGRAMS USING COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY TO HELP CLIENTS FOCUS ON SECURING EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND NEEDED SKILL DEVELOPMENT. EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING AND JOB PLACEMENT - PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES SUCH AS ASSESSMENT, COUNSELING, JOB SEARCH, JOB DEVELOPMENT, JOB SHADOWING, EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT AND EMPLOYMENT RETENTION, ALONG WITH SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS CHILD CARE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, AND EDUCATION AND TRAINING, WITH HELPING PARTICIPANTS SECURE AND RETAIN A JOB AND ACHIEVE THEIR VOCATIONAL GOALS. AFTERCARE SUPPORT - CONTINUED CASE MANAGEMENT, REFERRALS TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, STRUCTURED SUPPORT THROUGH AN ALUMNI NETWORK, AND DEVELOPMENT OF INTERPERSONAL/LIFE SKILLS.
  2. $18,303 spent. ENCOURAGING POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT THE CORPORATION PROVIDES SERVICES TO ENCOURAGE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR TROUBLED AND AT-RISK CHILDREN AND YOUTH, WHILE ALSO PROMOTING THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF ALL CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAMS PROVIDE A CONTINUUM OF CARE AND SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGES BIRTH TO 21 THROUGH PREVENTION, EARLY INTERVENTION, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND LONG-TERM SERVICES. FOSTER CARE - RECRUITMENT AND SUPPORT OF FOSTER PARENTS, PLACEMENT AND SUPPORT TO CHILDREN IN STATE CUSTODY DUE TO ABUSE AND/OR NEGLECT. CHILD & FAMILY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - PROGRAMS PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND/OR CHILDREN INCLUDING CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, HOME-BASED SERVICES, AND ASSISTANCE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. ADOPTION - PROGRAMS FACILITATE PLACEMENT IN ADOPTIVE HOMES AND PROVIDES INFORMATION AND SUPPORT TO ADOPTIVE AND BIRTH FAMILIES.FAMILY PRESERVATION - PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND MANAGEMENT TO CHILDREN AT RISK OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT AND THEIR FAMILIES, WITH GOAL OF PRESERVING AND, IF NEEDED, REUNIFYING THE FAMILY.
  3. $466,427 spent. FOSTERING INDEPENDENCETHE CORPORATION (AND NATIONAL) FOSTERS THE HEALTH AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE ELDERLY, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, MENTAL ILLNESS AND HIV/AIDS THROUGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HEALTH CARE SERVICES, AND A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES.ELDERLY SERVICES - SERVICE COORDINATION IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING - SERVICES PROVIDED TO LINK LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND DISABLED RESIDENTS WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES THAT WILL ASSIST THEM IN MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE IN FEDERALLY SUBSIDIZED AND OTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING.ELDERLY SERVICES - ELDERLY HOUSING - THE CORPORATION MAINTAINS AFFORDABLE APARTMENT HOUSING COMMUNITIES OFFERING LONG-TERM RESIDENCES FOR LOW-INCOME ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS. SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES, AND HEALTH AND NUTRITION COUNSELING/EDUCATION. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 202 FUNDING USUALLY SUPPORTS THIS HOUSING.ELDERLY SERVICES - CASE MANAGEMENT - PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ASSESS AND DETERMINE THE NEED FOR SERVICES, LOCATING, COORDINATING AND ADVOCATING FOR NEEDED SERVICES, AUTHORIZING OR DIRECTLY PURCHASING SERVICES, AND MONITORING SERVICES AT REGULAR INTERVALS.
  4. $3.0 million spent. GENERAL SERVICESTHREE-PRONGED APPROACH TO ADDRESS HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND SOCIAL SERVICES NEEDS OF THE NON-VETERAN POPULATION. GENERAL HOUSING INTERVENTION THROUGH RAPID REHOUSING DESIGNED TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO QUICKLY EXIT HOMELESSNESS AND RETURN TO PERMANENT HOUSING. PROGRAMS ASSESS STRENGTHS AND BARRIERS TO HOUSING AND DEVELOP A PLAN FOR HOUSING STABILITY AND QUICKLY IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE PRIVATE MARKET HOUSING UNITS FOR ENROLLED HOUSEHOLDS. PROGRAMS PROVIDE NEEDS-BASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT IS TIME LIMITED AND PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO ADDRESS BARRIERS TO HOUSING AND ENHANCE STABILITY IN PERMANENT HOUSING, INCREASE INCOME AND ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT, AND ENABLE BENEFICIARIES WITH DISABILITIES TO RECEIVE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO WORK.

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 November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for churches. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 1965.

    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 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.