Passes our checks

Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin

EIN 36-3840947 · Elgin, IL

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

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO REVITALIZE, ENHANCE AND SUSTAIN ELGIN'S HISTORIC CITY CENTER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 13.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
9 of 9 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 December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$232,635 spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTTHE DNA ACTIVELY RECRUITS NEW BUSINESSES TO VACANT DOWNTOWN PROPERTIES. IT SUPPORTS EXISTING BUSINESSES THROUGH EDUCATION, GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS. IT ADVOCATED FOR PRO-GROWTH CITY POLICIES AT THE ADVISEMENT OF BUSINESSES AND PROPERTY OWNERS. THESE INITIATIVES FACILITATE LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE AND VIBRANT BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN ELGIN.COMMUNITY BUILDING & COLLABORATIONTHE DNA BRINGS TOGETHER BUSINESSES, PROPERTY OWNERS, CITY OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OTHER KEY STAKE HOLDERS TO COLLABORATE, PARTNER AND BUILD A THRIVING DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY.PERCEPTION & PROMOTIONTHE DNA WORKS WITH THE CITY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE ALL THAT ELGIN HAS TO OFFER. IT GETS THE WORD OUT ABOUT OUR GREAT CITY THROUGH MARKETING AND SPECIAL EVENTS. IT HELPS TO MANAGE THE IMAGE AND PERCEPTION OF DOWNTOWN ELGIN (AND BY DEFAULT THE CITY AS A WHOLE) THROUGH THE PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS.BEAUTIFICATION & PHYSICAL ENHANCEMENTTHE DNA IS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE PRESERVATION THE RICH HERITAGE OF DOWNTOWN ELGIN. DNA CHAMPIONS THE CITY'S CULTURAL DIVERSITY, HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND BEST IN CLASS URBAN DESIGN, THEREBY ENHANCING ITS ARTISTIC CHARACTER AND FORWARD THINKING IDEALS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.