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Seven Generations Ahead

EIN 36-4437661 · Oak Park, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 2001 , SEVEN GENERATIONS AHEAD'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.

Income
$863,051
Spending
$983,154
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
7

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • 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, 2024, 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. $869,846 spent. SEVEN GENERATIONS AHEAD IMPLEMENTED ITS NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED FRESH FROM THE FARM/FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND PROVIDED ADDITIONAL METRO AREA SCHOOLS WITH TRAINING AND RESOURCES. FRESH FROM THE FARM - WHICH COMBINES CLASSROOM CIRRICULUM ORGANIC FARM EXPEDITIONS FARMER CLASSROOM VISITS, SCHOOL GARDENS, CHEF DEMONSTRATIONS, AND LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT - HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH EATING CHOICES AND AWARENESS OF WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM.
  2. SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING - WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES AND REGIONS TO SUPPORT LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION. THESE PLANS HELP COMMUNITIES REDUCE THEIR IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE, IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH, CONSERVE AND ENHANCE EXISTING NATURAL RESOURCES. SGA CONVENES STAKEHOLDERS FROM ALL SECTORS AND INSTITUTIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY PLANS. PARTNERED WITH CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AGENCY FOR PLANNING & METROPOLITAN MAYORS CAUCUS TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY LEADERS IN BUILDING CONCENSUS AROUND A CORE SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS.
  3. ZERO WASTE/FOOD SCRAP COMPOSTING - SGA WORKS WITH SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, INSTITUTIONS, AND MUNICIPALITIES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ALL STEPS ALONG A PATH TO ZERO WASTE FROM PLANNING TO IMPLEMENTATION. ZERO WASTE IS FUNDAMENTALLY A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO MANAGING MATERIALS - ONE THAT SEEKS TO EMULATE NATURAL CYCLES IN WHICH ALL MATERIALS ARE DESIGNED TO BECOME RESOURCES FOR OTHERS. THE PROCESS INVOLVES STARTING WITH THE 3 R'S (REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE/COMPOST) AND CONTINUALLY MAKING INCREMENTAL CHANGES TO PRACTICES WHILE CREATING NO EMMISSIONS THAT HARM THE HEALTH OF THE PLANET OR ITS INHABITANTS.
  4. $35,683 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 November 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 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.