Chicago Cares Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Chicago Cares, Inc. mobilizes volunteers to build a stronger, more unified Chicago.
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 62%
- Reserves
- 11.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 22
- Volunteers
- 3,404
- Highest pay
- $171,431, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1562% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (5)
- $1.3 million spent. VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT - to engage, empower, and educate thousands of volunteersannually through Chicago Cares unique model of place-based service. Chicago Caresbrings diverse people together through hands-on volunteer projects, completed on site in the neighborhood they benefit.
- $254,718 spent. CAPACITY BUILDING AND ADVISORY SERVICES - to leverage Chicago Cares resources andexpertise to support and equip residents, communities, and corporations to lead civically. Sitting at a unique intersection of the nonprofit, corporate, and civic engagement sectors, Chicago Cares aims to leverage their position and experience to build a movement for long-term change.
- $137,778 spent. COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM - a subdivision of Chicago Cares Programs department focused on building and maintaining strong, mutually beneficial relationships with community-based organizations on the south, west, and northwest sides of the City. The Community Relations team is focused on identifying potential partners and managing relationships with lead partners in each community that Chicago Cares works in so that Chicago Cares can continue to offer best-in-class community-driven service that is aligned to the communitys own plans and intentions.
- $18,680 spent. ANNUAL EVENTS PROGRAMA subdivision of Chicago Cares Programs department that plans and executes special events to engage and celebrate volunteers.
- AMPT - Chicago Cares serves as the fiscal sponsor of AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits. AMPT supports west and south side community-based nonprofit organizations in building organizational health and sustainability through capacity building. AMPT does this by developing capacity-building plans with nonprofits, hosting workshops and providing consulting and coaching to nonprofits, and supplying capacity-building and general operating funds to sustain the success of small nonprofits.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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)(3) charitable 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? 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.
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 October 1991.
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.