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Primo Center for Women and Children

EIN 36-2966006 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS, PRIMO CENTER HAS EMPOWERED FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE, RESPONSIBLE, AND INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

Income
$10.4 million
Spending
$9.4 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 75%
Employees
115
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$205,078, chief executive officer - current

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 72% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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. $4.4 million spent. INTERIM HOUSING IS SHORT-TERM HOUSING THAT PROVIDES A SAFE, STABLE PLACE FOR FAMILIES WHILE THEY WORK TOWARD A MORE PERMANENT HOME. IT OFFERS SUPPORT SERVICESLIKE CASE MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, PARENT EDUCATION, AND COUNSELINGTO HELP RESIDENTS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND TRANSITION SUCCESSFULLY TO LONG-TERM HOUSING. SUPPORTS FAMILIES FOR 612 MONTHS, FOCUSING ON STABILITY, SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
  2. $1.8 million spent. PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (PSH) COMBINES AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH ONGOING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS OR FACE BARRIERS TO STABILITY. RESIDENTS CAN STAY AS LONG AS THEY NEED WHILE RECEIVING HELP IN CASE MANAGEMENT, BUILDING LIFE SKILLS, AND IMPROVING THEIR OVERALL WELL-BEING TO REDUCE RETURNS TO HOMELESSNESS
  3. $1.7 million spent. TRIAGE HOUSING & DIVERSION SERVICES FOCUSES ON HELPING PEOPLE AVOID ENTERING THE SHELTER SYSTEM WHENEVER POSSIBLE. STAFF WORK QUICKLY WITH SINGLE WOMEN IN CRISIS TO FIND SAFE, IMMEDIATE ALTERNATIVESACCESSING SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL HELP, OR CONNECTING TO COMMUNITY RESOURCESSO THEY CAN STAY HOUSED AND STABLE. PRIMO PROVIDES UP TO 40 BEDS FOR FAST-TRACKED HOUSING PLACEMENTS, AND TAILORED ALTERNATIVES TO SHELTER SUCH AS MEDIATION, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND REUNIFICATION SUPPORT. THIS SERVICE IS CURRENTLY ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SINGLE WOME
  4. $183,923 spent. KIDS CONNECT IS A GROUNDBREAKING COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFITS TO TRANSFORM THE DISCONNECTED SYSTEMS OF HEALTH, HOUSING, AND EDUCATION INTO A TRUE SYSTEM OF CARE FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE ENROLLED IN KIDS CONNECTED RECEIVE CARE COORDINATION, CASE MANAGEMENT, THERAPY, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SERVICES.
  5. $503,084 spent. THE PRIMO CENTER'S EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMMING PROVIDES AN ON-SITE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER, PARENTS AS TEACHERS HOME VISITING, AND CHILD PARENT PSYCHOTHERAPY, HELPING FAMILIES OVERCOME TRAUMATIC STRESS, HELP CHILDREN MEET DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES, AND FACILITATE FAMILIES TO BOND.

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 August 1978.

    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.