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Advocate Charitable Foundation

EIN 36-3297360 · Downers Grove, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O: TO EMBRACE THE MISSION OF ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE (A NON-FOR-PROFIT FAMILY OF HOSPITALS AND CAREGIVERS), CULTIVATE PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIPS, AND INCREASE CHARITABLE SUPPORT OF ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE'S CLINICAL, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

Income
$40.0 million
Spending
$27.9 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
54
Volunteers
290
Highest pay
$30.9 million, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 14 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $16.5 million spent. GENERAL AND CLINICAL SUPPORTDONOR GIFTS WERE USED TO SUPPORT CLINICAL PROGRAMS BY REIMBURSING OPERATING EXPENSES AND BY PROVIDING CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FOR EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES RENOVATION AND CONSTRUCTION. PROGRAMS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS SUPPORT INCLUDED AN ADULT DOWN SYNDROME CLINIC, DENTAL CARE FOR THE DISABLED, CHILDHOOD SEXUAL TRAUMA THERAPY, OLDER ADULT SERVICES, PEDIATRIC DEVELOPMENT EVALUATIONS AND TREATMENTS, AND NEONATAL BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING. CLINIC PROGRAMS WERE ENHANCED THROUGH CAPITAL PURCHASES SUCH AS EQUIPPING EMERGENCY ROOMS, RENOVATIONS OF SURGICAL SUITES, EXPANSIONS OF CARDIAC AND CANCER CARE CENTERS, DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING EQUIPMENT, AND REMODELING OF PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNITS. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY GIFTS INCLUDED SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CLINICS, DENTAL PROGRAMS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATIONS, FAITH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDING PARISH NURSING, CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS, CHILD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION, SAFETY PROGRAMS, PATIENT FAMILY SUPPORT, ADDICTION COUNSELING, HEALTH COMMUNICATION FOR THE DEAF, AND ASTHMA MANAGEMENT.
  2. $776,424 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMSDONOR GIFTS WERE USED TO SUPPORT EDUCATION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS, RESIDENTS AND FELLOWS, CONTINUING EDUCATION OF MEDICAL STAFF PHYSICIANS, PASTORAL CARE (HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN) EDUCATION, ADMINISTRATIVE FELLOWSHIPS, ACCREDITATION TRAINING FOR PARAMEDICS, FELLOWSHIPS IN HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION, A NURSING RESIDENCY, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION OF ADVOCATE AND COMMUNITY CAREGIVERS ESPECIALLY NURSES AND CLINICAL TECHNICIANS. MEDICAL LIBRARIES AND CLINICAL EDUCATION LEARNING CENTERS WERE ENHANCED BY DONOR GIFTS. THE SYSTEM EDUCATED ABOUT 1,400 MEDICAL STUDENTS, ABOUT 600 MEDICAL RESIDENTS AND FELLOWS, ABOUT 100 PASTORAL CARE STUDENTS, AND MORE THAN 10,000 NURSES AND OTHER CAREGIVERS. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PROVIDED FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION OF EMPLOYEES AND TO STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE INTERESTED IN HEALTH CARE OCCUPATIONS.
  3. $970,755 spent. MEDICAL RESEARCHDONOR GIFTS WERE USED TO SUPPORT BOTH BASIC RESEARCH IN PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY AND CLINICAL RESEARCH IN THE AREAS OF ADULT ONCOLOGY, CARDIOLOGY, ADDICTION MEDICINE, RENAL DISEASE, NEONATAL CARE, EMERGENCY MEDICINE, NURSING CLINICAL PROCEDURES, AND PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY.
  4. $14,558 spent. SMALL GIFTS ARE MADE TO UNRELATED 501 (C)(3) CHARITIES AS MEMORIAL GIFTS FOR DECEASED MEMBERS OF FAMILIES OF DONORS AND ADVOCATE ASSOCIATES. ALSO INCLUDED ARE THE TAX DEDUCTIBLE PORTION OF TICKETS TO EVENTS SPONSORED BY RELATED 501 (C)(3) CHARITIES WHICH DONATE TO ADVOCATE PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 July 1984.

    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 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.