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City First Foundation

EIN 36-3812182 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak32 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CITY FIRST'S MISSION IS TO RESOURCE URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS, MINISTRIES, AND FAMILIES EDUCATIONALLY, ECONOMICALLY, SOCIALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. 1. WE MAINTAIN AN URBAN HUB FOR MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES WE SHARE THE TAPESTRY CENTER & ANNEX FACILITY WITH CHURCHES AND MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES WE PROVIDE A FACILITY FOR GROUPS THAT PERFORM MISSIONAL OUTREACH AND RETREATS IN CHICAGO WE SPONSOR ART, CONCERTS & COMMUNITY EVENTS 2. WE CULTIVATE CHURCH PLANTING & THE STRENGTHENING OF NEIGHBORHOODS WE FACILITATE THE CREATION OF NEW CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES - TAPESTRY FELLOWSHIP WE PARTICIPATE IN NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS AND CITY-WIDE PARTNERSHIPS WE PROVIDE CARE AND COUNSELING THROUGH INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL GROUP OUTREACHES 3. WE HELP PROMOTE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WE HOST GATHERINGS FOR RELIGIOUS AND BUSINESS GROWTH ORGANIZATIONS WE INITIATE PROGRAMS THAT STIMULATE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Income
$64,278
Spending
$119,106
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-23.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 54%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$54,000, ex. director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 32 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 87% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 85% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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. $85,955 spent. WE MAINTAIN AN URBAN HUB FOR MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES
  2. $1,800 spent. WE CULTIVATE CHURCH PLANTING & THE STRENGTHENING OF NEIGHBORHOODS
  3. $12,248 spent. WE HELP PROMOTE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 March 1993.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Firstday Foundation (San Antonio, TX), EIN 74-2874382. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.