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Together We Cope

EIN 36-3666952 · Tinley Park, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION BRIDGES THE GAP FOR CHICAGO SOUTHLAND RESIDENTS IN TEMPORARY CRISIS BY PROVIDING FOOD, SHELTER, CLOTHING AND REFERRALS, EMPOWERING THEM TO RETURN TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. ITS MISSION IS ESSENTIALLY TWOFOLD. FIRST, TO PROVIDE GOODS AND SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE POOR AND NEEDY. SECONDLY, THE ORGANIZATION ACTS AS A CONDUIT IN THE BROADER NETWORK OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
26
Volunteers
103
Highest pay
$133,123, executive di

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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 (3)
  1. $1.3 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A FOOD PANTRY FIVE DAYS A WEEK LOCATED ON ITS PREMISES, PROVIDING A WEEK'S WORTH OF GROCERIES AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS TO RESIDENTS IN NEED FROM 26 CHICAGO SOUTH SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES. THE STAFF IS ASSISTED BY A LARGE VOLUNTEER FORCE, WHICH DONATED 2,426 HOURS OF SERVICE THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025. IN THAT SAME TIME PERIOD, 17,289 CLIENTS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM THE FOOD PANTRY. FAMILIES RECEIVED CANNED AND BOXED FOOD, BREAD, MEAT OR POULTRY OR FISH AS AVAILABLE AND PRODUCE (IN SEASON). ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED DURING THE THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS SEASONS IN THE FORM OF COMPLETE HOLIDAY MEALS. FURTHER ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT OF SESSION AND CHILDREN NEED BREAKFAST AND LUNCH IN THE HOME.
  2. $1.4 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BRIDGE THE GAP FOR CHICAGO SOUTHLAND RESIDENTS IN TEMPORARY CRISIS BY PROVIDING EMERGENCY PAYMENTS FOR RENT, MORTGAGE AND UTILITIES SO THAT THE FAMILIES CAN REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES AND NOT BECOME HOMELESS. 989 CLIENTS BENEFITED FROM THE CLIENT/VOUCHERS PROGRAM. CHILDREN GET SPECIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE BACK-TO- SCHOOL PROGRAM IN WHICH THEY RECEIVE NEW BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES, RELIEVING THEIR FAMILIES OF THOSE COSTS. 341 PARTICIPANTS BENEFITED FROM THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM. CHILDREN AGAIN ARE AIDED DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WITH THE SANTA'S WORKSHOP PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES TOYS, PAJAMAS, HATS, SCARVES, AND MITTENS. 542 CLIENTS BENEFITED FROM THE SANTA'S WORKSHOP PROGRAM. MANY FAMILIES ALSO RECEIVE FREE CLOTHING, FURNITURE, AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS FROM THE AGENCY'S RESALE SHOP. FOR THE YEAR-ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED TO MORE THAN 321 INDIVIDUALS FOR THE HOUSING PROGRAMS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BRIDGE THE GAP FOR CHICAGO SOUTHLAND RESIDENTS IN TEMPORARY CRISIS BY PROVIDING EMERGENCY PAYMENTS FOR RENT, MORTGAGE AND UTILITIES SO THAT THE FAMILIES CAN REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES AND NOT BECOME HOMELESS. 989 CLIENTS BENEFITED FROM THE CLIENT/VOUCHERS PROGRAM. CHILDREN GET SPECIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE BACK-TO- SCHOOL PROGRAM IN WHICH THEY RECEIVE NEW BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES, RELIEVING THEIR FAMILIES OF THOSE COSTS. 341 PARTICIPANTS BENEFITED FROM THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM. CHILDREN AGAIN ARE AIDED DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WITH THE SANTA'S WORKSHOP PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES TOYS, PAJAMAS, HATS, SCARVES, AND MITTENS. 542 CLIENTS BENEFITED FROM THE SANTA'S WORKSHOP PROGRAM. MANY FAMILIES ALSO RECEIVE FREE CLOTHING, FURNITURE, AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS FROM THE AGENCY'S RESALE SHOP. FOR THE YEAR-ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED TO MORE THAN 321 INDIVIDUALS FOR THE HOUSING PROGRAMS.
  3. $113,339 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATES IN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'S "FAMILIES FIRST" PROGRAM PROVIDING TO HOMELESS PARENTS BOTH HOUSING AND GUIDANCE IN LEARNING BASIC LIFE SKILLS. THIS CRITICAL SUPPORT HELPS HOMELESS PARENTS TO SUCCEED AT RAISING AND SUPPORTING THEIR FAMILIES. FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, SUPPORT FOR 307 PERSONS WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, INCLUDING RENT, FOOD, FURNITURE, TRANSPORTATION AND EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS.

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 January 1990.

    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.

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