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Otis Wilson Charitable Association

EIN 36-3825363 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceWeak24 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE OTIS WILSON CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION HAS DEVELOPED AN ALL-INCLUSIVE HEALTH AND FITNESS PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK YOUTH WITH THE GOAL OF EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING THEM TO LEAD ACTIVE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES.

Income
$1,830
Spending
$35,910
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
40.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$11,179, president

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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

Governance

Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (4)
  1. THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A SUMMER CAMP TO YOUTH IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THIER FITNESS AS WELL AS PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITES TO DO WHILE SCHOOL IS OUT. THE SPORTS CAMP TEACHES FUNDAMENTALS OF A VARIETY OF SPORTS AND GIVES CHILDREN A CHANCE TO PUT THEIR SKILL TO ACTION. THE DANCE CAMP TEACHES KIDS A FUN AN ENERGETIC ROUTINE, WHICH THEY PERFORM FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT THE END OF THE CAMP. THE MARTIAL ATS CAMP TEACHES STUNDES THE FUNDAMENTALS REQUIRED TO TEST AND EARN A WHITE BELT. ALL CAMPS ARE SIX WEEKS LONG AND AN EFFORT IS MADE TO EMPLOY YOUTH WORKERS FROM THE AREA.
  2. THE ASSOCIATION HAS AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVING 150 CHILDREN. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL, TRACK, AND PERSONAL TRAINING. THESE PROGRAMS ALSO INVOLVE WORKSHOPS STRESSING NUTRITION, PERSONAL HYGIENE, CONFLICT INTERVENTION, AND COMMUNITY. BY PARTNERING WITH THE ILLINOIS VIOLENCE PREVENTION AGENCY, WE HAVE ADDED AN EMPHASIS ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION. OUR INSTRUCTORS HELP YOUTH DEVELOPE EFFECTIVE NEGOTIATING, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND ANGER MANAGEMENT SKILLS. THEY STRESS EMPATHY AND RESPECT FOR ALL PEOPLE AND THEIR VALUES. FITNESS TESTS ARE ADMINISTERED THREE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. BY MID YEAR ABOUT 25% OF FEMALES AND 30% OF MALES IMPROVED THIER TEST RESULTS. BY THE END OF THE YEAR, AROUND 32% OF FEMALES AND 40% OF MALES COMPLETED THEIR FITNESS TESTS QUICKER THAN THEIR MID YEAR RESULTS.
  3. THE TACKLING LITERACY PROGRAM WAS IMPLEMENTED TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE MEANS FOR IMPORVING THE LITERACY SKILL OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO CONTINUED TO STRUGGLE WITH DEVELOPING THE BASIC AND ADVANCED READING SKILLS NEEDED TO EXCEL IN SCHOOL AND LIFE. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES A MEANS TO EXPOSE YOUTH TO SAFE AND CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES TO SPENDING THEIR TIME IN ORDER TO DETER THEM FROM ENGAGING IN VIOLENT ACTIVITIES. THE FUNDAMENTAL CORE COMPONENTS OF LITEARCY SKILL BUILDING, WHICH INDCLUDE: PHONICS, VOCABULARY, FLUENCY, COMPREHENSION, AND ASSESMENT/EVALUATION, ARE ALL ADDRESSED IN THIS PROGRAM. IN ORDER TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE GROWTH OF STUNDENT PARTICIPANTS, THREE SEPARATE ASSESSMENTS WERE GIVEN DURING THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM. FOR THE MID-POINT ASSESMENT, THERE WAS AN AVERAGE GROWTH OF 60% AMONG ALL PARTICIPANTS WITH RESPECT TO BEING ABLE TO READ VOCABULARY WORK LISTS FROM THE FIRST GAME. BY THE END, ALL STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED A MEASURE OF GROWTH IN THEIR OVERALL READING ABILITY.
  4. $18,500 spent. CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND FUNDS TO HELP PEOPLE WITH TUITION

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 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 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 October 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.

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