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Breakthrough Urban Ministries Inc

EIN 36-3810926 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BREAKTHROUGH IS A FAITH-BASED, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PARTNERS WITH PEOPLE TO BUILD CONNECTIONS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND OPEN DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)WITH A HYPERLOCAL FOCUS IN GARFIELD PARK, BREAKTHROUGH PROVIDES A MYRIAD OF SERVICES FOCUSED ON A PROFOUNDLY SIMPLE FORMULA: PEOPLE FIRST. BREAKTHROUGH ENVISIONS A SAFE, STABLE, ENGAGED GARFIELD PARK WHERE SUCCESS IS THE NORM AND EVERYONE THRIVES.

Income
$19.1 million
Spending
$14.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
185
Volunteers
3,000
Highest pay
$167,988, executive 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

Fair: 61 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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. $4.4 million spent. HOUSING, WELLNESS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BREAKTHROUGH BELIEVES IN A THRIVING GARFIELD PARK AND PROVIDES PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON HOUSING, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE: - HOUSING SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THIS INCLUDES EMERGENCY DROP-IN SPACES THAT MEET CRITICAL BASIC NEEDS, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT. - A CHOICE MODEL FOOD PANTRY THAT FUNCTIONS LIKE A FREE GROCERY STORE AND ALSO CONNECTS PEOPLE TO COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE AND FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. THIS INCLUDES ON-SITE THERAPY, MEDICAL CARE, AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT OPTIONS. - A SPECTRUM OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, JOB PLACEMENT, JOB RETENTION SUPPORT, INCOME SUPPORT, FINANCIAL COACHING, AND HOMEOWNERSHIP EDUCATION AND PATHWAYS.
  2. $3.9 million spent. VIOLENCE PREVENTION BREAKTHROUGH PROVIDES AN INTEGRATED VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM IN EAST GARFIELD PARK. DIRECT INTERVENTIONS INCLUDE STREET-LEVEL RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE, CASE MANAGEMENT, SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS RE-ENTERING THE COMMUNITY, AND PUBLIC EVENTS THAT PROMOTE ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE.
  3. $3.8 million spent. EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT BREAKTHROUGH SEEKS TO SEE EAST GARFIELD PARK BECOME A PLACE WHERE SUCCESS BECOMES THE NORM AND FAMILIES PROSPER. BREAKTHROUGH'S CORE EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, AFTER SCHOOL ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, HIGH SCHOOL AND POST-SECONDARY PROGRAMS, AND A VARIETY OF HIGH-QUALITY ART, TECHNOLOGY, AND SPORTS CLUBS THAT FOCUS ON SKILL-BUILDING AND CAREER EXPLORATION.
  4. $423,932 spent. VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT TO CARRY OUT ITS WORK, BREAKTHROUGH IS SUPPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO ENGAGE ACROSS EACH PROGRAM AREA IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. VOLUNTEERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPLEMENTING THE EFFORTS OF STAFF AND THEIR WORK CAN INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, PROVIDING MEALS, ACTING AS MENTORS, TUTORS, AND COACHES, SUPPORTING THE FOOD PANTRY, SERVING ON A BOARD, AND PROVIDING JOB COACHING.

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 December 1992.

    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.

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.