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Institute for Community Empowerment

EIN 36-3788073 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE INSTITUTE IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE THAT EMPOWERS CHICAGO RESIDENTS TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND DEVELOP THE TRUST AND TEAMWORK TO MEET THEIR COMMUNITIES' MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES.

Income
$320,320
Spending
$513,884
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 70%
Employees
16
Volunteers
0

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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $483,168 spent. EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAMSTHROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE INSTITUTE ASSISTED THE COALITION TO SAVE OUR MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS BY LEADING A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT TO SUPPORT ITS MISSION TO CREATE AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR ALL CHICAGO RESIDENTS. ITS INTERN TEAMS AND STAFF HELPED RESIDENTS CREATE A NEW EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM IN 2024 IN THE ENGLEWOOD-GREATER CHATHAM AREA, WHILE ITS DIRECTOR PROVIDED CONSULTATION EACH MONTH TO THE GOVERNING COMMISSION OF THE EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM IN BRONZEVILLE AT ITS REGULAR COMMISSION MEETINGS. AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP DEVELOPMENTWORKING WITH THE LUGENIA BURNS HOPE CENTER, THE INSTITUTE CONTINUED TO EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR HOUSING BRONZEVILLE TO BUILD ITS FIRST PHASE OF NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES ON THIRTEEN CITY-OWNED VACANT LOTS IN THE BRONZEVILLE. CITIZENS NOW PROGRAMTHE INSTITUTE PROVIDED AFTERSCHOOL CLASSES AT WILLIAM PENN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND OSCAR DEPRIEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON CHICAGO'S WEST SIDE THROUGH ITS 12-WEEK CITIZENS NOW PROGRAM FOR 5TH-8TH GRADERS. STUDENTS LEARNED THE SKILLS OF CITIZENSHIP IN A DEMOCRACY BY CONVERSING WITH EACH OTHER TWICE A WEEK ON ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO THEIR LIVES, THEIR CITY, AND THEIR COUNTRY.

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 December 1993.

    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.