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Casa Esperanza Project

EIN 36-3909531 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF CASA ESPERANZA IS TO ESTABLISH MUTUAL RESPECT AMONG ALL PEOPLE, SO THAT THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF EVERY HUMAN BEING, ESPECIALLY THE POOR AND THE NEEDIEST IS RECOGNIZED. THUS, THE CASA ESPERANZA PROJECT WAS STARTED AS A MEANS TO RESTORE AND SUPPORT THE DIGNITY OF HOMELESS PERSONS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND TO ENABLE THEM TO FULFILL THEIR HUMAN POTENTIAL.

Income
$429,994
Spending
$373,511
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
9
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$76,515, executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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

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. $212,515 spent. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING & SUPPORTIVE SERVICESCASA ESPERANZA PROJECT PROVIDED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO 21 WOMEN AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS DURING 2025. THE PROGRAM DELIVERED AN ESTIMATED 7,6008,000 DAYS OF SAFE, STABLE HOUSING AND OFFERED APPROXIMATELY 500 CASE MANAGEMENT SESSIONS, 150 MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING SESSIONS, AND 4555 LIFESKILLS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, PARENTING, AND DOMESTICVIOLENCE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS. SERVICES FOCUSED ON STABILIZING FAMILIES, INCREASING SAFETY, AND SUPPORTING PROGRESS TOWARD PERMANENT HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND EMPLOYMENT. SEVERAL RESIDENTS ACHIEVED KEY MILESTONES INCLUDING GED COMPLETION, CNA AND PHLEBOTOMY CERTIFICATIONS, AND JOB PLACEMENT, WITH MULTIPLE FAMILIES TRANSITIONING SUCCESSFULLY INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.
  2. $60,719 spent. YOUTH ENRICHMENT & MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTCASA ESPERANZA PROJECT PROVIDED WEEKLY YOUTH ENRICHMENT AND SOCIALEMOTIONAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS RESIDING IN THE PROGRAM, TOTALING AN ESTIMATED 175200 CONTACT HOURS IN 2025. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED TUTORING, ARTS PROGRAMMING, MENTORING, AND AGEAPPROPRIATE THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT DELIVERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY CLINICIANS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE YOUTH PROGRAM IS TO STRENGTHEN EMOTIONAL WELLNESS, ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT, AND LONGTERM STABILITY FOR CHILDREN IMPACTED BY HOMELESSNESS AND TRAUMA. LONGTERM GOALS INCLUDE EXPANDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE EMERGING HOPE FORWARD PROGRAM.
  3. $30,359 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ALUMNI SUPPORT & ACCESSIBILITY SERVICESCASA ESPERANZA PROJECT EXPANDED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ALUMNI SUPPORT EFFORTS DURING 2025, PROVIDING MONTHLY RESOURCE EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES THAT BENEFITED AN ESTIMATED 100145 INDIVIDUALS BEYOND CURRENT RESIDENTS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERED INTERPRETIVE SERVICES FOR DEAF AND HARDOFHEARING RESIDENTS TO ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ALL PROGRAMMING. ALUMNI RECEIVED ONGOING SUPPORT THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT CHECKINS, REFERRALS, AND COMMUNITYBUILDING ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PROMOTE LONGTERM HOUSING STABILITY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 May 1996.

    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.