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The Learning Center House of Connections

EIN 36-3575412 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Learning Center supports adults in their pursuit of an educational path to more confident and effective living. For 42 years, TLC has empowered adults for effective personal lives, productive employment, and positive contribution to the community. We fulfill this mission by providing free adult education classes to students 18 years and older. We offer students opportunities to improve their reading, writing, math and English language skills; connect those skills to their personal lives; and find employment.

Income
$271,045
Spending
$306,756
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
14.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 45%
Employees
5
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$75,500, 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

Fair: 67 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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

Good: 77 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $121,165 spent. The Learning Center provides four core classes: Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL), Spanish Literacy and Intensive High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation classes. Instruction is provided by Malcom X College instructors, TLC instructors, AmeriCorps members, and volunteer tutors. The Malcolm X instructor salaries totaling $35,631 were provided at no cost to TLC. TLC served 164 adult learners during FY 2024-2025. Included in our core programming were: a. Special reading/writing workshops b. Health Literacy Project c. Academic textbooks and workbooks d. School supplies e. Computer devices and internet access
  2. $44,132 spent. In addition to our core programming, TLC provides a Computer Literacy Program using computer-assisted instruction and broadband service. Many educational computer programs are available online, such as Burlington English, MyOpenMath and Learning Upgrade. 100% of our students participated in our computer literacy program which helped them improve in areas of: a. fluency b. comprehension c. critical thinking d. writing proficiency e. basic computer skills
  3. $33,927 spent. To further support our literacy program and adult learners, TLC offered support services which included: a. GED and HISET test fees - Six (6) students received their High School Equivalency Certificate. b. Educational and cultural trips throughout the City of Chicago - 40% of the students we served attended these field trips. c. Public transportation assistance - TLC distributed 300 emergency transit cards to our students. d. Daily nutritious breakfasts and lunches - We served about 155 meals per week during FY 2024-2025. e. One-on-one or small group tutoring - Twenty-two (22) dedicated volunteer tutors provided 1,335.95 hours of supplemental instruction. At $30.97 per volunteer hour for Illinois, the total dollar value contributed by TLC literacy volunteers was $41,374.37. f. Food assistance program - 52 students received monthly produce boxes from Forty Acres Fresh Market. g. Digital Literacy program - 10 English as a Second Language students successfully completed this program.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.