Nami Chicago
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule OGuided by the experiences of those living with mental health conditions and rooted in equity, NAMI Chicago educates to fight stigma and discrimination, fiercely advocates for our community, and shares hope, connection and expertise with people on thier mental health journey.
- Income
- $11.2 million
- Spending
- $10.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 8.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 70%
- Employees
- 180
- Volunteers
- 64
- Highest pay
- $285,761, ceo
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: 89 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 69% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 95 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $8.1 million spent. Recovery, Youth, and Prevention: NAMI Chicago works with the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide peer-based outreach and engagement for almost 600 individuals per year transitioning out of Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRFs) and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) into independent community living. Peer support specialists also provide in-home recovery support to individuals recently discharged from these facilities. Grounded in their lived experience, peer support specialists offer personalized guidance in adjusting to new environments, developing independent living skills, and managing potential stressors. They support individuals in their recovery journey and equip them with the essential skills to integrate into the community and successfully maintain independent living. NAMI Chicago's commitment to peer support also establishes critical roles for peers within the mental health workforce. Through NAMI Chicago's support groups, people connect with others who've been there who know what it's like, and who can offer support without judgment. Support groups also provide a safe space for skill-building opportunities, and a sense of hope that recovery is possible. Three hundred and fifty support groups were held this year with more than 1,700 attendees, consistently reporting feeling safe, supported, and more connected to others.
- Helpline Team & 988 Crisis Contact Center:NAMI Chicago operates a mental health information, referral, and crisis Helpline, providing immediate support, guidance, and referrals to individuals and families. Responding to more than 700 contacts per month via phone, text or chat, Helpline Specialists collaborate with contacts to explore their needs in a supportive, no-barrier space, providing emotional support and education to enhance their agency, self-advocacy, and understanding of mental health systems and resources. Follow-up contacts offer the opportunity to support resource usage and strengthen help seeking behaviors.Through the 988 Crisis Center, NAMI Chicago provides urgent mental health support, ensuring individuals in crisis receive timely and appropriate interventions. Our crisis counselors foster an environment of care in which callers are treated with dignity while collaboratively engaging in safety planning that empowers their sense of agency and validates their experience. The NAMI Chicago Crisis Contact Center answers more than 2,000 calls per month with less than 1% needing a higher level of care. In an average of 13 minutes, Crisis Counselors are able to build rapport quickly and support de-escalation and action planning to address issues such as anxiety, suicidal ideation and depression.
- Mental Health Court Advocates, Case Managers & Clinical Support Teams:NAMI Chicago provides comprehensive care coordination and case management services designed to break cycles of crisis and create lasting pathways to wellness. The department serves individuals and family members during periods of high need, particularly those involved with emergency response or criminal court systems due to their mental health needs. Case managers serve as educators, advocates, and system navigators, helping participants and their families understand complex service networks, exercise self-determination, and access critical supports that promote stability and recovery. The teams engaging in intensive case management serve over two hundred and fifty participants annually, across programs.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1980.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.