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Chicago Coalition to Save Our Mental Health Centers

EIN 36-3905333 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COALITION WORKS TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHICAGO RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THE LOW-INCOME AND UNDERINSURED, HAVE ACCESS TO ADEQUATE AND AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

Income
$802,389
Spending
$632,188
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
20.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
10
Volunteers
200

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

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 88% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $596,957 spent. THE EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAMS (EMHSP) MODEL IS A COMMUNITY-CENTERED MODEL OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE DEVELOPED BY THE COALITION. EMHSPS GIVES RESIDENTS THE AUTHORITY TO FUND AND OVERSEE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. EMHSPS REQUIRES COMMUNITIES TO PLACE A REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT ASKING RESIDENTS IF THEY WILL RAISE THEIR PROPERTY TAXES TO RESTORE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE COALITION ORGANIZES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO GARNER SUPPORT TO CREATE THE PROGRAM, CONDUCT INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS, IDENTIFY UNMET MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, CREATE COMMUNITY NETWORKS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE NEW CENTERS, AND DEVELOP THE PROGRAM AFTER THE VOTE. THIS RESULTS IN NEW MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS THAT ARE INITIATED, FUNDED, AND APPROVED BY THE COMMUNITY, A UNIQUE WAY TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE SERVICES THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO LOCAL NEEDS.THE COALITION ALSO EMPOWERS MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMERS TO PUSH FOR THEIR OWN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CONSUMER-LED GROUP CALLED THE NORTH RIVER CONSUMER COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL IS LED BY MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMERS WHO WORK TO ADVOCATE FOR BETTER CARE AND INCREASED SERVICES FOR CLIENTS AT THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S EXISTING MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS. OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS, THE NORTH RIVER CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS WORKED TO ENSURE THAT THE CITY-RUN NORTH RIVER MENTAL HEALTH CENTER REMAINS OPEN AND FULLY-FUNDED.

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 February 1997.

    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.