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Passes our checks

Chicago Area Alternative Education League a Not for Profit Corp

EIN 36-3074599 · La Grange, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 52 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SINCE 1976, THE CHICAGO AREA ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION LEAGUE (CAAEL) HAS ENABLED ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY EXTRACURRICULAR ATHLETIC AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING TO A WIDE RANGE OF CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGES, ABILITIES, CHALLENGES, AND BACKGROUNDS.

Income
$316,527
Spending
$402,979
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
4
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$90,390, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 52 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 (1)
  1. $317,990 spent. GIVES AT RISK/SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS AT ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE WORKING IN TEAMS AND COOPERATING WITH OTHERS, WHILE MOTIVATING STUDENTS TO ATTEND SCHOOL AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THEIR CLASSWORK. PROVIDES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL EDUCATORS WITH INNOVATIVE AND THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMMING THAT TEACHES THE SKILLS TO BE BOTH SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 May 1981.

    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.