Ann & Robert H Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To optimize philanthropy in support of the mission and future of the Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center.
- Income
- $72.5 million
- Spending
- $74.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 493
- Highest pay
- $2.6 million, ex-officio director/president & ceo lch
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 295% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2566 of 69 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 August 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)
- $54.8 million spent. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Foundation ("Lurie Children's Foundation"), an Illinois not for profit corporation and an organization described under section 501(c)(3) of the code, is responsible for fundraising for Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center ("Medical Center ") (FEIN 36-3357004), Lurie Children's Foundation's sole corporate member, and one of the Medical Center 's affiliated tax-exempt organizations. Lurie Children's Foundation works with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago ("Lurie Children's") to coordinate fundraising. Much of the fundraising conducted is directly contributed to Lurie Children's. Gifts received by Lurie Children's Foundation are primarily held by and available for distribution to Lurie Children's, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, and to the other tax-exempt affiliates of the Medical Center, as appropriate, or as may be designated by the donor. Lurie Children's Foundation seeks to secure the financial resources for Lurie Children's and the Medical Center's other affiliates that are needed for the organizations to remain leaders in pediatric health care, research, education and advocacy. Lurie Children's Foundation fundraising activities include programs to develop major gifts, leadership gifts, planned giving and annual gifts. Lurie Children's Foundation receives fundraising support from fundraising organizations and an active team of volunteers to cultivate and secure contributions that advance the mission of Lurie Children's and its affiliates. These organizations devote fundraising efforts entirely or in part to Lurie Children's and/or the Medical Center's other affiliates. Fundraising appeals by such organizations are coordinated with Lurie Children's Foundation's fundraising activities in order to avoid conflicting solicitations and to focus support on identified priorities.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1987.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.