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Spero Family Services

EIN 37-0673515 · Mount Vernon, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SPERO FAMILY SERVICES OFFERS HOPE, HELP, AND HEALING BY PROVIDING CHRIST-CENTERED HUMAN SERVICES TO MEET THE EVER-CHANGING NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES.

Income
$15.4 million
Spending
$15.5 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 92%
Employees
298
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$141,789, 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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    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 (18)
  1. $2.9 million spent. THE QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM PROMOTES HEALING AND PROVIDES A COMPASSIONATE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE SUPPORT OF CARING PEOPLE. YOUTH ARE CARED FOR AND SUPERVISED BY A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TREATMENT TEAM THAT INCLUDES THERAPISTS, PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHIATRIC NURSES (CERTIFIED IN MENTAL HEALTH), CASE MANAGERS AND OTHER TRAINED PARA-PROFESSIONAL STAFF. A CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGIST IS ALSO AVAILABLE. THIS PROGRAM SERVES 12 YOUTH (MALES AND FEMALES) AND PLACES THEM IN YOUTH HOMES ON A 25 ACRE CAMPUS. YOUTH IN THE PROGRAM RANGE FROM 12 TO 18 YEARS OF AGE. SPERO FAMILY SERVICES CONSISTENTLY STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE AS THEY SEEK TO HELP YOUTH AND FAMILIES GROW THROUGH SERVICES PROVIDED IN A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT OF TRUST AND OPEN COMMUNICATION.
  2. $1.6 million spent. SPERO COUNSLING AND WELLNESS PROVIDES OUTPATIENT COUNSELING AND TRAINING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND GROUPS OF ALL AGES ON A FEE FOR SERVICE BASIS.
  3. $2.3 million spent. THE RAP IMMERSION SITE PROGRAM PROVIDES INTENSIVE COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND SUPPORT THROUGH TEAM FACILITATION AND SERVICE COORDINATION TO FAMILIES INVOLVED IN DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES INTACT OR REUNIFICATION SERVICES.
  4. $1.1 million spent. THE GROUP HOME PROGRAM PROMOTES HEALING AND PROVIDES A COMPASSIONATE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE SUPPORT OF CARING PEOPLE. YOUTH ARE CARED FOR AND SUPERVISED BY A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TREATMENT TEAM THAT INCLUDES THERAPISTS, PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHIATRIC NURSES (CERTIFIED IN MENTAL HEALTH), CASE MANAGERS AND OTHER TRAINED PARA-PROFESSIONAL STAFF. A CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGIST IS ALSO AVAILABLE. THIS PROGRAM SERVES 8 YOUTH (MALES AND FEMALES) AND PLACES THEM IN YOUTH HOMES ON A 25 ACRE CAMPUS. YOUTH IN THE PROGRAM RANGE FROM 12 TO 18 YEARS OF AGE. SPERO FAMILY SERVICES CONSISTENTLY STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE AS THEY SEEK TO HELP YOUTH AND FAMILIES GROW THROUGH SERVICES PROVIDED IN A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT OF TRUST AND OPEN COMMUNICATION.
  5. $111,399 spent. THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM IS A DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM THAT ASSISTS SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM YOUTH IN ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE BY MOVING THE YOUTH INTO A COMMUNITY BASED APARTMENT AND OUT OF THE ON-CAMPUS HOUSING.
  6. $784,051 spent. THE TRADITIONAL FOSTER CARE PROGRAM ALLOWS SPERO FAMILY SERVICES TO OVERSEE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES CASES WHEN YOUTH ARE PLACED IN A LICENSED FOSTER CARE HOME OR IN A HOME OF A RELATIVE OR FICTIVE KIN.
  7. $498,441 spent. THE SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE PROGRAM ALLOWS SPERO FAMILY SERVICES TO PLACE YOUTH IN A LICENSED FOSTER CARE HOME WHICH PROVIDES A LOVING AND STRUCTURED HOME FOR THE YOUTH.
  8. $948,372 spent. THE TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM IS FOR YOUTH AGES 17 1/2 TO 21 YEARS OF AGE WHO LIVE ON CAMPUS WHILE CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION, GAINING EMPLOYMENT AND DEVELOPING LIFE SKILLS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY.
  9. $65,605 spent. THE ADOLESCENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM ALLOWS SPERO FAMILY SERVICES TO PLACE YOUTH IN A LICENSED FOSTER CARE HOME WHICH PROVIDES A LOVING AND STRUCTURED HOME FOR THE YOUTH.
  10. $265,394 spent. THE FLEX FUNDS CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS A FISCAL AGENT PROGRAM. SPERO FAMILY SERVICES IS THE FISCAL AGENT AND RECEIVES AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED.
  11. $918,363 spent. THE PARENTS AS TEACHERS PROGRAM PROVIDES AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH TO BUILDING STRONG FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. IT ALSO MATCHES PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WITH TRAINED PARENT EDUCATORS WHO MAKE REGULAR PERSONAL HOME VISITS DURING A CHILD'S EARLIEST YEARS FROM PRENATAL TO 3 YEARS OLD.
  12. $923,786 spent. THE YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM HELPS HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED OR LIVE IN LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS OBTAIN THEIR GED AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SKILLS TO GET A JOB OR OBTAIN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.
  13. $165,372 spent. THE MENTAL HEALTH JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAM HELPS YOUTH WHO ARE INVOLVED WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM OR ARE AT RISK OF INVOLVEMENT IN JUVENILE JUSTICE THROUGH MENTORING AND CONNECTION TO REFERRAL SOURCES IN AN ATTEMPT TO MINIMIZE INVOLVEMENT OR RE-INVOLVEMENT IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
  14. $57,525 spent. THE IN-HOME INTENSIVE SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES INTENSIVE IN-HOME CRISIS INTERVENTION, COUNSELING, AND LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN AT IMMINENT RISK OF PLACEMENT IN THE CHILD WELFARE OR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS.
  15. $120,191 spent. THE NURTURING PARENT FAMILY FIRST PROGRAM IS AN EXTENSION OF THE NURTURING PARENT LEGACY PROGRAM WHICH IS A PREVENTATIVE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES IN-HOME COUNSELING TO AT-RISK FAMILIES WHO HAVE YOUTH WITH SOCIAL AND/OR EMOTIONAL NEEDS.
  16. $380,552 spent. THE NURTUING PARENT LEGACY PROGRAM PROVIDES IN-HOME COUNSELING TO AT-RISK FAMILIES WHO HAVE YOUTH WITH SOCIAL AND/OR EMOTIONAL NEEDS.
  17. $366,875 spent. FAMILY FOUNDATIONS IS A PREVENTATIVE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES IN-HOME COUNSELING TO AT-RISK FAMILIES WHO HAVE YOUTH WITH SOCIAL AND/OR EMOTIONAL NEEDS.
  18. $1.5 million spent. THE BRIGHT START PROGRAM IS A DAYCARE CENTER THAT IS LICENSED FOR 122 YOUTH AGES INFANT THROUGH 5. APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE FAMILIES ARE LOW INCOME AND THEIR FEES ARE SUBSIDIZED BY THE PROJECT CHILD GRANT.

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 September 2006.

    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.