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Home of the Sparrow Inc

EIN 36-3494491 · Woodstock, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To provide hope, opportunity, and support that empowers women and children as they journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Income
$8.4 million
Spending
$8.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 51%
Employees
151
Volunteers
844
Highest pay
$131,047, executive director

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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. $1.2 million spent. McHenry Transitional Shelter This program provides up to nine months of safe housing for individuals and families. During this time, clients receive intensive case management, build life skills, and work toward goals like securing stable employment and long-term housing. With both dorm-style rooms and Independent Living Units, the shelter adapts to the needs of different family sizes and situations.
  2. $4.1 million spent. Sparrows Nest This program has seven resale store locations. Six stores do business under the banner of Sparrows Nest Thrift Store and Donation Centers. The Sparrows Nest stores are located in Cary, McHenry, Mundelein, Palatine, Third Lake and Woodstock. One store does business under the name of Community Threads and is located in Arlington Heights. Inventory for all seven stores is received from donations and sellable inventory is resold in the store and non-sellable inventory is given to recycling companies. Income generated from store sales and recycling provides support for other programs within Home of the Sparrow. The thrift stores are also a zero-cost provider of clothing, furniture and housewares to Home of the Sparrow clients and clients of other partnering agencies in Northern Illinois.
  3. $507,211 spent. Affordable Housing Program The Organization owns and manages affordable housing units across McHenry County. Families pay income-based rent 30-50 of the Area Median Income, ensuring stability while building financial independence. Because demand is high, this program has a waitlist that varies depending on family size and housing openings. The application and current income requirements are found on the website.
  4. Program Service Expenses 1,241,458, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Subsidized Apartment Program SAP This one-year program supports shelter clients as they transition from communal living into independent housing. Residents live in agency-owned apartments while continuing to receive case management. During this time, they focus on paying down debts, repairing credit, and preparing to qualify for their own rental lease. Rapid Re-housing helps individuals and families move quickly from homelessness into permanent housing. Once accepted, clients have 30 days to secure a unit, with Home of the Sparrow covering the first months rent, security deposit and ongoing rental assistance for the duration of the grant up to 12 months. Clients also receive 12 months of case management and community connections to help them stay housed.

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 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 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 September 1988.

    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.