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Big Shoulders Fund

EIN 36-3490557 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We provide support to underserved schools which provide a quality, values-based education for Chicago's children. In 2020, Big Shoulders Fund's programming was extended to the Northwest Indiana region.

Income
$53.2 million
Spending
$54.9 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
8.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
114
Volunteers
3,457
Highest pay
$638,467, president and chief executive officer

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    32 of 32 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 (4)
  1. $24.1 million spent. School operations: DISTRIBUTED OPERATING AND CAPITAL GRANTS TO MULTIPLE SCHOOLS IN AN EFFORT TO PREVENT SCHOOL CLOSURES; ALSO ASSISTED SCHOOLS IN IMPROVING MARKETING/RECRUITING, BUILDING NEW EXTERNAL FUNDING SOURCES, IMPROVING SCHOOL BUSINESS OPERATIONS, ETC. (Expenses $ 1,851,647 including grants of $ 1,088,880)(Revenue $ 130,909) Other program services: GENERAL ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS, SUCH AS OUTDOOR EDUCATION, LEARNING ABOUT INVESTMENTS AND THE STOCK MARKET. SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS HOLDING FUND-RAISING EVENTS. SUPPORTING VOLUNTEER SCHOOL CLEANUP AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES. GRANTS TO SCHOOLS AS DESIGNATED BY DONORS - AGENCY (PASS-THROUGH) TRANSACTIONS. IN ADDITION, BIG SHOULDERS FUND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND ADMINSTRATORS AT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PRIMARILY SERVING LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IN NORTHWEST INDIANA THROUGH A RESTRICTED GRANT. SOUTHEAST SIDE EXPERIENCE INCUBATOR (SSEI) PROVIDES STUDENTS AT ST. FRANCIS DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL WITH VALUABLE LIFE AND WORK EXPERIENCES IN A PROFESSIONAL SETTING UTILIZING A WORK STUDY PROGRAM. STUDENTS' ACADEMIC SCHEDULES ARE MODIFIED SO THAT FOUR STUDENTS SHARE ONE FULL-TIME ENTRY-LEVEL JOB. WORK STUDY HOURS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH AN ENRICHED LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND IS CERTIFIED BY THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
  2. $13.6 million spent. Student Scholarship Programs: ADMINISTERED OVER90 DISTINCT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE MENTORING, ENRICHMENT AND OTHER SUPPORT ACTIVITIES. 5,267 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO 5,080 STUDENTS AT 120 ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS TO ENABLE THEM TO ATTEND NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
  3. $12.2 million spent. Academic Enrichment and Leadership Development: BIG SHOULDERS ADMINISTERS OVER 25 ONGOING PROGRAMS IN 90 SCHOOLS INVOLVING OVER 800 TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO IMPROVE INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES AND ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY CURRICULA WITH FOCUS ON MATH, SCIENCE, CIVICS, AND LITERACY. PROVIDE A VARIETY OF OTHER NEEDED CAPITAL AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT TO ENSURE A SAFE, EFFECTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR NEARLY 25,000 STUDENTS THROUGH ONGOING ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDING A SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP CAMP, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER PROGRAMS, AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. (Expenses $ 1,851,647 including grants of $ 1,088,880)(Revenue $ 130,909) Other program services: GENERAL ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS, SUCH AS OUTDOOR EDUCATION, LEARNING ABOUT INVESTMENTS AND THE STOCK MARKET. SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS HOLDING FUND-RAISING EVENTS. SUPPORTING VOLUNTEER SCHOOL CLEANUP AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES. GRANTS TO SCHOOLS AS DESIGNATED BY DONORS - AGENCY (PASS-THROUGH) TRANSACTIONS. IN ADDITION, BIG SHOULDERS FUND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND ADMINSTRATORS AT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PRIMARILY SERVING LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IN NORTHWEST INDIANA THROUGH A RESTRICTED GRANT. SOUTHEAST SIDE EXPERIENCE INCUBATOR (SSEI) PROVIDES STUDENTS AT ST. FRANCIS DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL WITH VALUABLE LIFE AND WORK EXPERIENCES IN A PROFESSIONAL SETTING UTILIZING A WORK STUDY PROGRAM. STUDENTS' ACADEMIC SCHEDULES ARE MODIFIED SO THAT FOUR STUDENTS SHARE ONE FULL-TIME ENTRY-LEVEL JOB. WORK STUDY HOURS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH AN ENRICHED LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND IS CERTIFIED BY THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
  4. $1.9 million spent. Other program services: GENERAL ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS, SUCH AS OUTDOOR EDUCATION, LEARNING ABOUT INVESTMENTS AND THE STOCK MARKET. SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS HOLDING FUND-RAISING EVENTS. SUPPORTING VOLUNTEER SCHOOL CLEANUP AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES. GRANTS TO SCHOOLS AS DESIGNATED BY DONORS - AGENCY (PASS-THROUGH) TRANSACTIONS. IN ADDITION, BIG SHOULDERS FUND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND ADMINSTRATORS AT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PRIMARILY SERVING LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IN NORTHWEST INDIANA THROUGH A RESTRICTED GRANT. SOUTHEAST SIDE EXPERIENCE INCUBATOR (SSEI) PROVIDES STUDENTS AT ST. FRANCIS DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL WITH VALUABLE LIFE AND WORK EXPERIENCES IN A PROFESSIONAL SETTING UTILIZING A WORK STUDY PROGRAM. STUDENTS' ACADEMIC SCHEDULES ARE MODIFIED SO THAT FOUR STUDENTS SHARE ONE FULL-TIME ENTRY-LEVEL JOB. WORK STUDY HOURS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH AN ENRICHED LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND IS CERTIFIED BY THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 March 1987.

    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 November 4, 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.