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Circle Urban Ministries

EIN 36-3136997 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE, EQUIP AND EMPOWER URBAN YOUTH TO DEVELOP A GODLY CHARACTER, TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND TO TRANSFORM LIVES AND COMMUNITIES ON THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
-11.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
28
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$120,496, executive di

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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 98% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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. $58,803 spent. PARTNER OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT - PROVIDING FUNDRAISING, BUILDING OCCUPANCY, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR MINISTRIES AND COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS UTILIZING OUR FACILITIES. PROVIDES HOUSING TO EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS.
  2. $509,883 spent. COMMUNITY CARE- WEEKLY FOOD PANTRY SERVING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AT UP TO ONE AND ONE-HALF TIMES THE POVERTY LINE. THE FOOD PANTRY HAS SERVED 9,931 INDIVIDUALS (4,167 HOUSEHOLDS).
  3. $404,084 spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL "WRAP-AROUND" SERVICES FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL LOCATED IN AN ADJACENT FACILITY, INCLUDING EDUCATION SUPPORT, ARTS AND MUSIC ENRICHMENT.
  4. $17,878 spent. HOUSING: CIRCLE URBAN MINISTRIES IS PASSIONATELY COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THE PRESSING NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO, FOCUSING ON CREATING HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES. THROUGH OUR HOUSING PROGRAM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOMES TO FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR AIM IS TO MAKE HOMEOWNERSHIP ATTAINABLE AND SUSTAINABLE BY OFFERING HOUSING OPTIONS THAT ARE SOLD BELOW MARKET VALUE WHENEVER POSSIBLE. BY DOING SO, WE ARE NOT ONLY PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH A SAFE AND STABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT BUT ALSO EMPOWERING THEM TO BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH. MENTORING: OUR MENTORING PROGRAM IS A UNIQUE AND IMPACTFUL INITIATIVE THAT FOCUSES ON FOSTERING LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND PERSONAL GROWTH AMONG OUR JUNIOR LEADERS WHILE PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO YOUNGER STUDENTS. WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO EMPOWER BOTH MENTORS AND MENTEES. WHAT SETS OUR MENTORING PROGRAM APART IS THE EMPHASIS ON DEVELOPING JUNIOR LEADERS WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION. THESE EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS, WHO HAVE ALREADY DEMONSTRATED DEDICATION AND A PASSION FOR SERVING OTHERS, ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO STEP INTO THE ROLE OF MENTORS. THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE, THEY GAIN VALUABLE LEADERSHIP SKILLS, CULTIVATE EMPATHY, AND LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK.
  5. HOUSING: CIRCLE URBAN MINISTRIES IS PASSIONATELY COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THE PRESSING NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO, FOCUSING ON CREATING HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES. THROUGH OUR HOUSING PROGRAM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOMES TO FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR AIM IS TO MAKE HOMEOWNERSHIP ATTAINABLE AND SUSTAINABLE BY OFFERING HOUSING OPTIONS THAT ARE SOLD BELOW MARKET VALUE WHENEVER POSSIBLE. BY DOING SO, WE ARE NOT ONLY PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH A SAFE AND STABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT BUT ALSO EMPOWERING THEM TO BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH. MENTORING: OUR MENTORING PROGRAM IS A UNIQUE AND IMPACTFUL INITIATIVE THAT FOCUSES ON FOSTERING LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND PERSONAL GROWTH AMONG OUR JUNIOR LEADERS WHILE PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO YOUNGER STUDENTS. WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO EMPOWER BOTH MENTORS AND MENTEES. WHAT SETS OUR MENTORING PROGRAM APART IS THE EMPHASIS ON DEVELOPING JUNIOR LEADERS WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION. THESE EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS, WHO HAVE ALREADY DEMONSTRATED DEDICATION AND A PASSION FOR SERVING OTHERS, ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO STEP INTO THE ROLE OF MENTORS. THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE, THEY GAIN VALUABLE LEADERSHIP SKILLS, CULTIVATE EMPATHY, AND LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK.

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 September 1983.

    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.

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