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Enlace Chicago

EIN 36-3727669 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Enlace Chicago convenes, organizes, and builds the capacity of little village stakeholders to confront systemic inequities and barriers to economic and social access. Enlace Chicago is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of little village residents by fostering a safe and healthy environment and by championing opportunities for educational advancement and economic development.

Income
$11.1 million
Spending
$8.4 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
249
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$138,498, 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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. $3.0 million spent. VIOLENCE PREVENTION: Enlace takes a comprehensive and trauma-informed approach to building safety and promoting peace in Little Village. Street outreach workers focus on reducing and preventing gun violence by working closely with program participants, parnters and other community members who are most impacted. master's level social workers provide clinical mentail health services, including conseling and workshops, for students, families and staff in local schools. Social workers provide mental health services in other accessible community locations for community members who are high need. A safe passage team works to improve safety along the routes that students and families travel to and from school. The violence prevention collaborative and the little village youth safety network convene stakeholders to plan and implement coordinated strategies that promote peace.
  2. $2.0 million spent. EDUCATION: Enlace promotes a strong culture of education in little village by partnering with local public schools and supporting successful transition to high school, post-secondary and beyond. Community schools are safe, accessible community centers that provide wrap-around family programming that promotes academic achievment, skill building, social emotional learning and leadership development. Post-secondary coordinators provide tailored support to high school students who face barriers in getting to college, including those who are undocumented. Parents are engaged as classroom aides, peer mentors and community leaders, and receive training related to topics such as post-secondary attainment, social emotional learning, and organizing and advocacy. Through system alignment, research and policy advocacy the little village education collaborative works with stakeholders to improve the education system in little village and enhance educational attainment from birth to old age.
  3. $643,642 spent. COMMUNITY HEALTH:RESOURCES INCLUDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE, CASH ASSISTANCE, SHARING OF RESOURCES FROM OTHER AGENCIES, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY TESTING, VACCINATIONS, AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.
  4. $272,818 spent. ORGANIZING AND ADVOCACY: Enlace organizes community-based workshops, provides free legal services and engages in policy advocacy that benefits immigrant families. The free legal clinic provides a wide range of services in the areas of immigration, family, education, labor, criminal records, housing and consumer issues. Attorneys and staff support community members with immigration application processes such as adjustments of status, citizenship and the U-VISA. Educational sessions provide opportunities for community members to learn about and discuss topics such as know your rights and current immigration policy. Community leaders work with staff to develop and implement Enlace's immigration advocacy platform.

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 January 1999.

    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.