Chicago Democratic Socialists of America
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
Political organizing
- Income
- $73,612
- Spending
- $85,943
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (8)
- $1,968 spent. Labor Organizing - assisting worker unionization efforts and strike support
- $429 spent. Fix the CTA Campaign - Legislative campaign to push the City of Chicago and State of Illinois to restore CTA service to pre-pandemic levels; Worked to train 100-200 people on organizing; distributed flyers; hosted monthly educational events
- $1,102 spent. Electoral organizing - political educational meetings, travel for members to attend socialists in office convention
- $3,166 spent. Unite and Fight - organizing work to unite immigration and trans rights issues in one response
- $134 spent. Trans Rights Bodily Autonomy - campaign for gender affirming care to be restored.
- $250 spent. DSA National Convention - sent a delegation of 35 members to biannual convention of DSA chapters to deliberate and decide on national priorities, organizing campaigns, and strategies for the next two years. We helped 5 members attend convention by granting $50 towards the cost of their attending Convention
- $677 spent. YDSA - supporting two YDSA chapters at Depaul and Loyola Universities through grants for YDSA National Convention and reimbursement for organizing event costs, such as pizza
- $33,417 spent. Other issue based organizing and political education for the Chapters' 2600 members, including regular chapter meetings that include venue rental and meals.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1992.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.