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Howard Brown Health Center

EIN 36-2894128 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Howard Brown Health Center provides a comprehensive array of healthcare and social services to a broad community. In addition to healthcare services, HBHC also conducts behavioral and clinical research in a variety of areas that impact wellness in the community.

Income
$217.5 million
Spending
$206.3 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
740
Volunteers
213
Highest pay
$365,655, chief medical director (departed 6/2025)

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: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 (5)
  1. $174.1 million spent. MEDICAL: HOWARD BROWN HEALTH CENTER PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, COMPASSIONATE, NONJUDGMENTAL, AND HOLISTIC PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE SERVICES INCLUDING GENERAL CHECK-UPS, DENTAL SERVICES, GYNECOLOGICAL SERVICES, CHILD WELLNESS, HIV/AIDS TREATMENT, WALK-IN SERVICES AND GERIATRIC CARE. WE RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AIDS FOUNDATION OF CHICAGO, PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, AND OTHER SOURCES TO PROVIDE CARE TO 123,875 UNDUPLICATED PATIENTS WHO HAD 43,998 VISITS REGARDLESS OF A PATIENT'S ABILITY TO PAY. (Expenses $ 1,244,169 including grants of $ 280,579)(Revenue $ 576,548) RESEARCH: Howard Brown Health Center conducts comprehensive research on infectious diseases and broader health concerns, encompassing behavioral and clinical studies to assess prevention strategies, treatment engagement, and health outcomes. Our work is supported by funding from federal agencies, private sector partners, and other sources, enabling us to pursue high-impact studies and advance scientific knowledge in key health areas. (Expenses $ 724,603 including grants of $ 250,533) PREVENTION: HOWARD BROWN HEALTH CENTER PROVIDES PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ABOUT HIV/AIDS AND STI'S VIA MANY CHANNELS, TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL. OUR PREVENTION TEAM PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICE DELIVERY OF HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING, PARTNER AND REFERRAL SERVICES, HEALTH INFORMATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS. CURRENTLY WE RECEIVE FUNDING FROM MANY SOURCES INCLUDING FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS.
  2. $5.5 million spent. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: HOWARD BROWN HEALTH CENTER PROVIDES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH COUNSELING, PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY. EXPERIENCED AND LICENSED COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL, COUPLES, FAMILY, AND GROUP THERAPIES, INCLUDING SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND VIOLENCE RECOVERY SERVICES. CURRENTLY WE RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, AND CORPORATE/FOUNDATION SOURCES TO PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. FOR 2025, 18,850 UNDUPLICATED PATIENTS ACCESSED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR 7,676 VISITS.
  3. $2.2 million spent. YOUTH SERVICES: HOWARD BROWN HEALTH CENTER PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF YOUTH-SPECIFIC SERVICES AT THE BROADWAY YOUTH CENTER LOCATION. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE: RESOURCES, EDUCATION AND VOCATION SERVICES, A BASIC NEEDS DROP-IN PROGRAM, ONGOING WORKSHOPS, STI/HIV TESTING AND TREATMENT, THERAPY, AND PEER-LED SUPPORT GROUPS. (Expenses $ 1,244,169 including grants of $ 280,579)(Revenue $ 576,548) RESEARCH: Howard Brown Health Center conducts comprehensive research on infectious diseases and broader health concerns, encompassing behavioral and clinical studies to assess prevention strategies, treatment engagement, and health outcomes. Our work is supported by funding from federal agencies, private sector partners, and other sources, enabling us to pursue high-impact studies and advance scientific knowledge in key health areas. (Expenses $ 724,603 including grants of $ 250,533) PREVENTION: HOWARD BROWN HEALTH CENTER PROVIDES PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ABOUT HIV/AIDS AND STI'S VIA MANY CHANNELS, TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL. OUR PREVENTION TEAM PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICE DELIVERY OF HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING, PARTNER AND REFERRAL SERVICES, HEALTH INFORMATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS. CURRENTLY WE RECEIVE FUNDING FROM MANY SOURCES INCLUDING FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS.
  4. $1.2 million spent. RESEARCH: Howard Brown Health Center conducts comprehensive research on infectious diseases and broader health concerns, encompassing behavioral and clinical studies to assess prevention strategies, treatment engagement, and health outcomes. Our work is supported by funding from federal agencies, private sector partners, and other sources, enabling us to pursue high-impact studies and advance scientific knowledge in key health areas.
  5. $724,603 spent. PREVENTION: HOWARD BROWN HEALTH CENTER PROVIDES PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ABOUT HIV/AIDS AND STI'S VIA MANY CHANNELS, TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL. OUR PREVENTION TEAM PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICE DELIVERY OF HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING, PARTNER AND REFERRAL SERVICES, HEALTH INFORMATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS. CURRENTLY WE RECEIVE FUNDING FROM MANY SOURCES INCLUDING FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS.

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 April 1978.

    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.

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