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Family Credit Counseling Service Inc

EIN 36-4060853 · 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

Family Credit Counseling Service,Inc. DBA Family Credit Management exists to improve the financial well-being of individuals and families through financial education, counseling, and debt repayment assistance, with a focus on consumers experiencing financial hardship, excessive debt, or limited financial resources.

Income
$10.1 million
Spending
$8.2 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
14.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
50
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$499,803, director & president

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 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 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. $970,101 spent. Counseling Services: Family Credit Management provided individualized financial counseling and education services through telephone, online, and in-person channels. Services were designed to assist consumers in addressing financial distress, improving financial literacy, and achieving greater financial stability. Counseling services included budget analysis, spending plans, review of credit reports, evaluation of debt repayment options, housing counseling,and pre-bankruptcy counseling. Counselors worked with clients to assess income, expenses, and liabilities and develop action plans tailored to each households circumstances. Family Credit is approved by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide pre-filing bankruptcy counseling and issue certificates in accordance with federal requirements. Services were delivered by trained and supervised staff under established internal policies and procedures.
  2. $1.4 million spent. Education Services: Family Credit Management provided financial education services through workshops, seminars, digital content, and community outreach initiatives. These services were designed to improve financial literacy and promote informed financial decision-making, particularly for individuals and families experiencing financial hardship or limited financial resources. Educational topics included budgeting, saving, credit management, responsible use of credit, debt reduction strategies, and consumer awareness. Resources were provided through in-person presentations, virtual platforms, websites, publications, and other digital channels. Additional outreach included media appearances and educational programming focused on budgeting, money management, and consumer financial education.
  3. $4.2 million spent. Debt Management Program: Family Credit Management administered debt management plans for consumers seeking structured repayment assistance with unsecured debts. Under these plans, Family Credit worked with participating creditors to facilitate repayment through consolidated monthly payments, which may include reduced interest rates or fees when available. Participants also received ongoing counseling, budget reviews, and financial education designed to support sustainable financial habits and long-term financial stability.

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 October 13, 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 August 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 October 21, 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.