Skip to the page content
Passes our checks

Howard Area Community Center

EIN 36-3008606 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Howard Area Community Center is to assist low-income individuals and families in and near the Rogers Park to stabilize their lives and develop the skills necessary to become productive community members. Our programs offer emergency intervention, help families stabilize, and encourage developmental growth.

Income
$8.1 million
Spending
$8.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 49%
Employees
0
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$266,758, cfo & treasurer

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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $4.1 million spent. Education: We prepare young people and parents for success.Our programs promote academic achievement and social and emotional development among children, youth and families to foster success in life. Helping parents, especially younger parents, prepare for the challenges of parenting ensures that children are cared for, nurtured and experience a future of promise and opportunity.Number of Clients Served - 7,844
  2. $2.1 million spent. Economic Stability: We support strong, self-sustaining families.Our programs offer support and education to economically challenged families so they may improve the quality of their work, lifestyle and finances. We help families prepare for, find and sustain stable jobs and housing, which is vital to long-term stability. Through specialized counseling services, our Employee Assistance Network helps employees remain productive and achieve balance between their work and personal lives.Number of Clients Served - 4,062
  3. $930,246 spent. Emotional Wellness: We encourage healthy and productive lives. Through supportive, caring counseling, individuals and families in any phase of life are empowered to better handle life's challenges. Our mental health services provide psychiatric evaluation, case management and crisis intervention to help children and adults with chronic mental illness recover and be productive. We also offer assistance for older adults and their caregivers to meet the unique concerns of this stage of life. Compassionate violence prevention programs alleviate the impact of community or domestic violence. And specialized veterans' services help returning soldiers and their families reintegrate into civilian life and reconnect with one another.Number of Clients Served - 1,795

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 November 6, 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 May 1979.

    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 November 4, 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.