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Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

EIN 36-4150724 · Oak Park, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MOBILIZE RESOURCES TO ADVANCE A RACIALLY JUST SOCIETY AND EQUITABLE OUTCOMES FOR RESIDENTS OF OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

Income
$6.8 million
Spending
$5.5 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
9
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$205,612, president and ceo

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% 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 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $4.7 million spent. OPRFCF PROVIDES A CENTRAL RESOURCE FOR DONORS, PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL ADVISORS, STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SERVING OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. FOR DONORS, WE PROVIDE VALUE AND EXPERTISE IN HELPING THEM EXPLORE AND IMPLEMENT GIVING OPTIONS. FOR NON-PROFITS SERVING OUR RESIDENTS, WE MANAGE ENDOWMENT FUNDS FOR SEVERAL AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE GRANTS. WE ALSO MANAGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS FOR SEVERAL OF OUR FUNDHOLDERS.
  2. $168 spent. LEADERSHIP LAB IS A COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDING PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, THINK ABOUT THEIR EFFECT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND DEVELOP A PERSONAL PLAN FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE. COMMUNITY PANELS, SPEAKERS AND SMALL GROUP FIELD WORK ARE USED THROUGHOUT THE EIGHT MONTH PROGRAM. ONE PART-TIME INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR MANAGES THE PROGRAM.
  3. $133,769 spent. FUTURE PHILANTHROPIST PROGRAM PROVIDES YOUNG PEOPLE WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN A UNIQUELY ADAPTED PHILANTHROPIC EXPERIENCE. AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS APPLY FOR THIS TWO-YEAR PROGRAM WHICH TURNS JUNIORS INTO GRANT MAKERS AND SENIORS INTO FUNDRAISERS. PROGRAM EXPENSES COVER MEETING COSTS, FUNDRAISING COSTS, A PART-TIME CONTRACTOR WHO MANAGES THE PROGRAM AND OTHER RELATED COSTS.

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 April 1998.

    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.