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Beat the Streets - Chicago

EIN 36-3962523 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Beat the Streets Chicago delivers accessible, quality, transformative youth wrestling programs in Chicago. We believe wrestling is the best vehicle for becoming life champions for those who embrace it. We believe denying children with limited resources the opportunity to wrestle is an equity issue. Our organization closes the opportunity gap between wealthy suburban student athletes and children growing up in Chicago?s under-resourced neighborhoods.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
13.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
22
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$72,931, enrichment coordinator

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 68% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    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 August 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 (4)
  1. $1.6 million spent. YOUTH WRESTLING AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR CHICAGO AREA YOUTH AGED 8 THROUGH 18. PROGRAMS ARE HELD YEAR-ROUND, IN-PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AS APPROPRIATE AND INCLUDE SUMMER CAMPS AND TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES. ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS COMPRISE WORKSHOPS AND SESSIONS IN WELLNESS, NUTRITION, MENTORING, TUTORING, FINANCIAL LITERACY, COLLEGE READINESS, TEST PREPARATION AND OTHER LIFE SKILLS. WE ALSO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL AND POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.
  2. $120,000 spent. Other Programs - Gear / Expense: In-Kind Salary
  3. $92,731 spent. Special Wrestling Events - Wrestling events designed to promote the wrestling community and the benefits of wrestling to all stakeholders in the Chicago area: youth coaches and fans. Events are open to the public and low or no-cost to Beat the Streets Chicago youth.
  4. $39,096 spent. Scholarships - INCLUDES INAUGURAL 'EDUCATOR IN RESIDENCE' WHERE ORGANIZATION FUNDS EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES IN EXCHANGE FOR A FUTURE COACHING COMMITMENT. SCHOLARSHIPS ALSO GIVEN TO SUMMER INTERNS WHO TEACH AND COACH AT BTSC SUMMER CAMPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 December 1994.

    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.