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Franciscan Outreach

EIN 36-2928835 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRANCISCAN OUTREACH PROVIDES PEOPLE WHO ARE MARGINALIZED AND HOMELESS WITH SHELTER, FOOD, AND HELP IN BUILDING A BETTER LIFE, WHILE AFFIRMING THE HUMAN DIGNITY OF PEOPLE IN NEED IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

Income
$7.0 million
Spending
$6.7 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 65%
Employees
116
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$162,620, president & executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $4.0 million spent. HOUSE OF MARY & JOSEPH - MANAGE THREE SHELTERS FOR THE HOMELESS THAT PROVIDE MEN AND WOMEN WITH A STABLE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT THAT NOT ONLY REDUCES THE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS OF LIVING OUTDOORS, BUT OFFERS AN ARRAY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THEY CAN ACCESS TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES. SHELTER GUESTS HAVE ACCESS TO DAILY MEALS, A WARM BED, SUPPORT GROUPS, HOUSING PROGRAMS, HEALTH CARE SERVICES, SHOWER FACILITIES, MAIL SERVICES, CLOTHINGAND PERSONAL ITEMS.
  2. $1.4 million spent. CASE MANAGEMENT: CASE MANAGERS CONDUCT INITIAL ASSESSMENTS TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF GUESTS. THEN THEY PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO HELP GUESTS ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE. CASE MANAGERS HELP GUESTS GAIN STABILITY, PREPARE FOR HOUSING, AND TRANSITION INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. THEY ALSO CONNECT GUESTS TO THE CRITICAL SERVICES AND RESOURCES THEY NEED, INCLUDING: IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS, SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, VETERANS' BENEFITS, PUBLIC AID RESOURCES, PRIMARY AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT, LEGAL AID, JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, IMMIGRATION SERVICES, HOUSING PROGRAMS.
  3. $74,594 spent. SPARC: THE SHELTER PLACEMENT AND RESOURCE CENTER (SPARC) IS A PHYSICAL ACCESS POINT WHERE INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS CAN RECEIVE SUPPORT WITH SHELTER REQUESTS, SHELTER TRANSPORTATION, AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES 24/7. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE MEALS, SHOWERS, AND TEMPORARY SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS, BASED ON AVAILABLE SPACE. SPARC CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 200 INDIVIDUALS AT ANY GIVEN TIME (160 MALES AND 40 FEMALES).SPARC SERVES SINGLE ADULTS WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD OR OLDER. FAMILIES WHO NEED SHELTER ASSISTANCE SHOULD GO DIRECTLY TO EHARC OR WAIT AT SPARC FOR TRANSPORTATION PICK UP FROM THE SALVATION ARMY (TSA). THROUGH ITS EMERGENCY SERVICES AND SHELTER PLACEMENT COORDINATION WITH TSA, SPARC STAFF SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS BY OFFERING IMMEDIATE RELIEF AND CONNECTING THEM TO SHELTER, WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO GAIN PERMANENT HOUSING. WITH A FOCUS ON TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE AND HARM REDUCTION, THE CENTER AIMS TO REDUCE HARM, PROVIDE A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT, AND EMPOWER CLIENTS TO TAKE STEPS TOWARDS STABILITY, DIGNITY, AND ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    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 March 1946.

    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.