Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Gateway to Learning

EIN 36-2806595 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE LIFELONG LEARNING FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THAT PROMOTES ACTIVE INCLUSION AT HOME, AT WORK AND IN THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 70%
Employees
52
Volunteers
37
Highest pay
$135,000, 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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 (3)
  1. $1.7 million spent. THE COMMUNITY DAY SERVICES (CDS) PROGRAM PROVIDES SPECIFIC VOCATIONAL, PRE-EMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE TRAINING TO ADULTS WITH I/DD AGE 22 AND OVER. MUCH OF THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HANDS-ON EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN THE CULINARY ARTS, ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, WHILE SUPPORTING SELF-ADVOCACY, EMPOWERMENT AND WELLBEING. REVENUES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOOD SERVICE LUNCH PROGRAM, MONTHLY FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAMMING FOR THOSE WHO PRE-PAY AHEAD OF THE STATE REIMBURSEMENT, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FIELD TRIPS.
  2. $174,440 spent. THE SELF-DIRECTED ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS WITH HOME BASED WAIVER FUNDING WITH SUPPORT AND TRAINING IN ORDER TO BEST LIVE AND MANAGE WITHIN THEIR OWN HOMES WHILE ADVOCATING FOR PERSONAL CHOICE.
  3. GATEWAY TO LEARNING OPERATES TWO SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, DOROTHY'S SWEET SHOPPE AND BARLEY'S BISCUITS, WHICH SERVE TO PROVIDE PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND/OR EMPLOYMENT TO PARTICIPANTS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1975.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.