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Oai Inc

EIN 36-4385280 · Park Forest, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Organization has been serving the Chicago metropolitan area with over 25 years of experience in comprehensive workforce development. Its mission is to create a community environment in which all people who desire to do so can access education, training, (see sched. O) work and housing that will allow them to sustain and enjoy safe, secure, and fulfilling lives. The Organization serves people with significant barriers to obtaining and retaining rewarding employment. Clients include individuals making the transition from welfare to work, at-risk youth, Empowerment Zone (EZ) residents, displaced workers, those in need of additional skills, and anyone with earnings below the poverty line. The organization serves approximately 3,500 clients annually.

Income
$6.5 million
Spending
$6.5 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 85%
Employees
48
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$152,125, executive director

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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 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 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 (4)
  1. $2.9 million spent. OAI Chicago Southland provides direct career training and retention services for underserved populations in the Chicago Southland region. OCS engages its surrounding communities through neighborhood/service provider/employer alliances, recruiting low-income residents for technical training and internships, supporting students through training, connecting them with sustainable careers after graduation and helping to retain them in these positions for at least one year. Located in Park Forest, IL, OCS serves the surrounding Southland communities.
  2. $1.4 million spent. Pre-Employment Education and Training provides job training, placement and retention services that equip individuals with the skills to compete for living wage jobs and careers in environmental remediation, hazardous waste removal, construction, solar panel installation, landscaping, and other green industries. PEET offers outreach, recruitment, professional development, academic enhancement, financial education, technical skills training, and job placement and retention services to individuals facing multiple barriers to employment. Programs are offered in Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Dallas.
  3. $1.1 million spent. The Business and Worker Training division provides worker health & safety training, in compliance with OSHA CFR 1910.120, to emergency first responders, medical first receivers and industry workers who are exposed to hazardous materials. In addition, the division offers customized, cost-effective on-site workforce skills and safety training programs for low-wage and limited English proficient workers employed in various industries, including the Manufacturing, Hospitality and Medical sectors.
  4. $486,609 spent. High Bridge addresses the critical issue of maintaining Green Stormwater Infrastructure by successfully partnering with communities and landowners to restore neglected GSI, implement maintenance plans, train workers, and help advance technical and higher-paying skills for community residents.

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 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 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 May 2001.

    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.