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Ignite Org

EIN 36-2867274 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BUILD COMMUNITY, HOPE, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH WHO ARE HOMELESS BY ADDRESSING THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND HELPING THEM ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE AND STABLE HOUSING.

Income
$5.9 million
Spending
$5.7 million
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 55%
Employees
95
Volunteers
720
Highest pay
$172,082, president and 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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 38% 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 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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. $2.7 million spent. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS - THE BRONZEVILLE YOUTH SHELTER IS AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR MINOR YOUTH, AGES 14-17, THAT PROVIDES A SAFE AND HEALING ENVIRONMENT WITH A GOAL TO REUNITE THESE YOUTH WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR GUARDIANS, IF SAFE AND APPROPRIATE, OR TO SECURE ALTERNATIVE LIVING ARRANGEMENTS. BELFORT HOUSE IS A TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH, AGES 17-23, WHERE RESIDENTS STAY FOR UP TO 18 MONTHS AND CREATE INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS PLANS TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS, WHILE THEY MOVE TOWARD ATTAINING AUTONOMY, EMPLOYMENT, AND THEIR OWN HOUSING. CASSA IS THE AGENCY'S INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AGES 18-24, WHERE ADULTS LIVE IN THEIR OWN APARTMENTS FOR UP TO TWO YEARS WHILE STILL MAINTAINING ACCESS TO CASE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, WITH THE GOAL OF TAKING OVER THE APARTMENT LEASE AS THE TWO YEAR LIMIT EXPIRES.
  2. $585,497 spent. OUTREACH, PREVENTION, AND AFTERCARE - THESE PROGRAMS MEET THE IMMEDIATE BASIC NEEDS OF YOUTH AND PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION WHILE CONNECTING YOUTH WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF IGNITE SERVICES. CLIENTS RANGE IN AGE FROM 12-24 AND CAN ACCESS CRISIS COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, REFERRALS AND ACCESS TO A RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES VIA 24/7 HOTLINE, STREET AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH, THE AGENCY'S DROP-IN CENTER AND AFTERCARE SERVICES.
  3. $110,561 spent. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - ALL YOUTH CONNECTED TO IGNITE RECEIVE WHOLE HEALTH COUNSELING, EDUCATION, ACCESS TO AN ON-SITE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN. AND REFERRALS FOR PRIMARY AND PREVENTATIVE CARE, MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING, AND MORE EDUCATION SUPPORT RESOURCES AND ACADEMIC ASSESSMENTS ARE PROVIDED ON SITE. YOUTH RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED ATTENTION, ADVOCACY, ENCOURAGEMENT, STUDY SKILLS, TUTORING, AND REFERRALS TO ALTERNATIVE AND/OR TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS. THE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SUPPORTS YOUTH WHO HAVE LIMITED JOB SKILLS AND WORK HISTORY WITH AN INTENSIVE PORGRAM TO DEVELOP JOB READINESS. YOUTH WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT WORK EXPERIENCE ARE OFFERED GUIDANCE IN JOB SEARCHES, PLACEMENT, AND RETENTION. THE AGENCY ALSO OFFERS RECREATION ACTIVITIES TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFY HEALTHY, POSITIVE OUTLETS, DEVELOP INTERPERSONAL SKILL, SELF-ESTEEM, AND PURPOSE AS THEY TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT ADULTS.

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 1976.

    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.