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Inspiration Corporation

EIN 36-3673980 · Chicago, 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

Inspiration Corporation's mission is to help people who are affected by homelessness and poverty, to improve their lives and increase self-sufficiency through the provision of social services, employment training and placement, and housing. Additionally, the Foodservice Training program, operated within Inspiration Corporation's restaurants, provides skill-specific job training and employment placement.5840 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, LLC provides affordable and permanent supportive housing to low-income families, including those experiencing homelessness, in Chicago.

Income
$6.5 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 49%
Employees
57
Volunteers
750
Highest pay
$194,809, executive director & ceo

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 52% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

    19 of 19 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. $1.8 million spent. Housing Services program provides formerly homeless individuals and families with an apartment and the wraparound services and support they need to make their new place a home.Case managers connect with individuals and families experiencing homelessness, help them identify a new home, and work with their new landlord to make sure that they transition smoothly into their unit. We strive to help our participants increase their self-sufficiency with the ultimate goal of helping them exit poverty for good.We work with more than 100 households and landlords, administering rental subsidies paid through federal and state contracts. Each contract requires us to match a percentage of the total amount with funds raised from private donors.
  2. $1.5 million spent. Job training is located in Chicago's East Garfield Park neighborhood. Inspiration Kitchens, our restaurant and Foodservice Training program site has offered low-income individuals the opportunity to learn to cook professionally at a restaurant open to the paying public, helping them gain the skills and experience they need in the food service industry.Our 12-week program is free to participants, and includes hands-on instruction, kitchen demonstrations, classroom culinary instruction, nutrition education, and employment and life skills classes. We also provide them with the services they need to overcome obstacles like homelessness, criminal backgrounds, mental or physical disabilities, substance addictions, and mental illness.The Lori Jericho Memorial Education Fund links individuals to vocational training or education programs. We provide limited scholarships and financial support for textbooks, entrance exams and other related expenses.
  3. $819,881 spent. Inspiration Corporation's first program, Inspiration Cafe, serves hot, nutritious meals to our participants in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. Our cafe is open to our participants five days a week and operates like any other full-service restaurant in the city. More than just a place to eat, Inspiration Cafe is a refuge from the streets where participants can connect with fellow diners, volunteers, and staff, and form a supportive community. During times of COVID-19 dining restrictions, Inspiration Cafe transitioned to distributing daily to-go meals which included one hot meal and one cold meal each day.Homeless Outreach Services provides basic street outreach to those who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness in and around the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Needs assessments are performed and resources provided related to mental health, benefits eligibility, housing, employment, medical care, and substance use with the ultimate goal of assisting clients in obtaining safe, suitable housing.

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 June 1994.

    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.