The Carle Foundation Hospital
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO BE THE TRUSTED PARTNER IN ALL HEALTHCARE DECISIONS AND TO IMPROVE HEALTH BY PROVIDING HIGHLY ACCESSIBLE, WORLD-CLASS CARE AND SERVICES.
- Income
- $1.5 billion
- Spending
- $1.2 billion
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 4.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
- Employees
- 5,301
- Volunteers
- 1,235
- Highest pay
- $2.3 million, ex-officio, officer - president & ceo
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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Independent board
5 of 252 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $1.1 billion spent. SERVING PEOPLE THROUGH HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL CARE, THE CARLE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL IS AN ILLINOIS NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING THE CARLE FOUNDATION'S 509-LICENSED BED HOSPITAL AND RELATED FACILITIES AND, CONDUCTING PATIENT CARE RELATED ACTIVITIES OF THE FOUNDATION. THE HOSPITAL, A LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTER, OFFERS A FULL RANGE OF INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES FOR MEDICAL, SURGICAL, OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL PATIENTS. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES VARIOUS ANCILLARY SUPPORT SERVICES TO BOTH INPATIENTS AND OUTPATIENTS SUCH AS AUTOPSY, BLOOD BANK, EMERGENCY SERVICES, RESPIRATORY THERAPY, OPERATING ROOM, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PASTORAL COUNSELING, SOCIAL SERVICES, PHARMACY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. THE CARLE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL'S MISSION IS TO SERVE PEOPLE THROUGH HIGH QUALITY CARE, MEDICAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. WE MAKE SURE THOSE WHO NEED CARE, GET CARE, WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN PAY. THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY CARE DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR HOSPITAL SERVICES AND OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH AREA HEALTH AGENCIES, ACCESS TO DENTAL, VISION AND GENERAL HEALTHCARE HAS BEEN IMPROVED FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. FOR THE COMMUNITY, WE OFFER A MYRIAD OF OPPORTUNITIES LIKE BABYSITTING CERTIFICATION AND NEW DAD COURSES, ALONG WITH FREE CPR AND FIRST AID CLASSES. FOR OUR PROFESSIONALS, WE HAVE CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES, THREE LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT TRAINING CLASSES AND COURSES FOR PHYSICIAN LEADERS. THE CARLE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL'S CONTINUED SUCCESS IS ROOTED IN OUR ABILITY TO ADAPT TO A CHANGING HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT, PLAN DILIGENTLY FOR OUR FUTURE AND MAINTAIN A COMMITMENT TO OUR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITY. NOT-FOR-PROFIT HOSPITALS HAVE A LONG STANDING PRACTICE OF PROVIDING SUPPORT, DONATIONS AND SERVICES TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. THIS STEMS NOT FROM ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, BUT RATHER FROM A RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF ALL THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE. AT THE CARLE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL, WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO GENEROUSLY GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY IN EXCHANGE FOR OUR TAX EXEMPTION. ALL OF THESE FACTORS LEAD TO THE CARLE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL BEING A CHAMPION OF ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND A PILLAR OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT. COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS ARE BASED ON ASSESSED NEEDS AND DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THOSE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN OUR AREA, WITH A FOCUS ON SERVING THOSE LESS FORTUNATE. AREAS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT INCLUDE: HOSPITAL SERVICES THAT OPERATE AT A LOSS, CASH AND IN-KIND DONATIONS, TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. THE CARLE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL STRIVES TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS THAT KEEP AREA RESIDENTS FROM RECEIVING THE CARE THEY NEED. THE CARLE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL'S COMMUNITY CARE DISCOUNT PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DISCOUNT PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO QUALIFY KNOW ABOUT THEIR OPTIONS. OUR ADVERTISING THROUGHOUT THE REGION IS TARGETED TO REACH PEOPLE WHO QUALIFY SO THEY ARE AWARE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE. AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT HOSPITAL, IT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD HEALTHCARE.
- $33.2 million spent. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES: RESEARCH CARLE HEALTH INVESTS IN CLINICAL RESEARCH TO SEEK INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR DIFFICULT CLINICAL CHALLENGES AND ENSURE OUR PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO HEALTHCARE. THE STEPHENS FAMILY CLINICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SFCRI) AT CARLE HEALTH PROVIDES THE SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE TO ADVANCE RESEARCH IDEAS AND ENSURE THE SAFE AND COMPLIANT CONDUCT OF RESEARCH IN THE CLINICAL SETTING. CARLE'S CLINICIANS AND RESEARCHERS CONDUCT STUDIES THAT RECEIVE RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT FROM NATIONAL FEDERAL AGENCIES, MAJOR FOUNDATIONS, AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. IN 2024, CLINICIANS, RESEARCHERS, AND STUDENTS WORKED ON OVER 425 CLINICAL TRIALS AND RESEARCH STUDIES ACROSS THE HEALTH SYSTEM. MORE THAN 3,000 PATIENTS PARTICIPATED IN CLINICAL RESEARCH, INCLUDING MORE THAN 1,400 NEW PARTICIPANTS AT LOCATIONS IN CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, MATTOON, DANVILLE, BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL AND PEORIA. RESEARCHERS WORKING AT CARLE PRODUCED OVER 220 RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS IN 2024, INCLUDING IMPORTANT RESEARCH IN TBI CARE AND STROKE RECOVERY. RESEARCH AT CARLE HEALTH HAPPENS ACROSS THE CONTINUUM OF MEDICAL CARE. NEVERTHELESS, CERTAIN FIELDS STAND OUT DUE TO THE EXCEPTIONAL EXPERTISE AND COLLABORATION AMONG RESEARCHERS AND CLINICIANS, LEADING TO NATIONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE PROGRAMS CREATED HERE. CANCER RESEARCH AT CARLE HEALTH'S URBANA CANCER CENTER HAS RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE STARTING IN 1985. THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAM ("NCORP") GRANT SUPPORTS COMMUNITY ACCESS TO INNOVATIVE CLINICAL TRIALS AND BEST PRACTICE IN CARE DELIVERY. CARLE CANCER CENTER IS ONE OF ONLY THIRTY-TWO COMMUNITY SITES IN THE NATION, BRINGING CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS TO INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. CARLE'S CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM HAS RECEIVED MULTIPLE NCI AWARDS FOR ITS HIGH-QUALITY, IMPACTFUL WORK, LEADING TO INCREASED FUNDING AND WIDER CLINICAL PARTNERSHIPS. THE CARLE NCORP NETWORK NOW HAS 26 AFFILIATE SITES IN AREAS OF ILLINOIS AND WESTERN INDIANA THAT DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS AND EMERGING TREATMENTS, CARLE CANCER INSTITUTE RECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS IN 2024 RECOGNIZING THEIR OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN BRINGING CLINICAL TRIALS TO PATIENTS IN OUR REGION, RANKING AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY FOR NCI CLINICAL TRIAL SUCCESS ALONGSIDE INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE MAYO CLINIC AND JOHNS HOPKINS. CARLE CONTINUES TO BE A TOP RECRUITING SITE IN THE NATION FOR AN IMPORTANT STUDY EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF 2D VERSUS 3D MAMMOGRAPHY. GEORGINA CHENG, MD, PHD, A CARLE PHYSICIAN RESEARCHER AND GYNECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGIST, HAS RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED WARREN AND CLARE COLE AWARD TO ADVANCE HER RESEARCH ON DIGITAL PATHOLOGY TOOLS. DESIGNED FOR USE DURING SURGERIES IN THE OPERATING ROOM, THE TOOLS WILL HELP IMPROVE DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY IN THE OPERATING ROOM AND HELP SURGEONS MAKE CLEARER DECISIONS REGARDING IMMEDIATE APPROACHES FOR SURGERY AND TREATMENT OF DISEASES. DR. CLAUDIUS CONRAD, HEPATOBILIARY SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST, JOINED CARLE IN 2024 AND WAS AWARDED A RESEARCH GRANT FROM FUJI FILM TO DEVELOP THE USE OF ADVANCED IMAGING TOOLS IN THE OR TO HELP SURGEON VISUALIZE IMPORTANT STRUCTURES IN THE LIVER, PANCREAS AND BILE DUCT, WHICH IMPROVES SURGICAL OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS. THE CARLE CLINICAL IMAGING RESEARCH CENTER IS LEADING THE USE OF THE SIEMENS 7 T MRI SYSTEM, THE ONLY 7 T SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS APPROVED FOR CLINICAL USE. CARLE HEALTH AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA CHAMPAIGN BECKMAN IMAGING CENTER, PARTNERED TO ACQUIRE THE SIEMENS 7T MRI SYSTEM 2020 AND WORK CLOSELY TO DEVELOP A UNIQUE COUPLING OF ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT WITH CLINICAL INNOVATION. OUR GOAL IS TO IMPROVE VISUALIZATION OF CHALLENGING CLINICAL CONDITIONS TO DEVELOP BETTER DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF COMPLEX DISEASE. PRIMARY AREAS OF INTEREST ARE IN TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, STROKE RECOVERY, EPILEPSY, PARKINSONS DISEASE AND COGNITIVE DECLINE ASSOCIATED WITH ADVANCED DISEASE AND AGING. IN 2024, CARLE HEALTH IMPROVED THE USE OF 7T FUNCTIONAL MRI, WHICH IDENTIFIES REGIONS OF THE BRAIN USED FOR VARIOUS COGNITIVE TASKS. THE RESULTED IN IMPROVED IDENTIFICATION OF EPILEPSY FOCAL LOCI (SEIZURE START SITES) TO HELP IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR EPILEPSY PATIENTS UNDERGOING SURGERY FOR SEIZURE MANAGEMENT. RESEARCH IN THIS AREA LED BY EPILEPTOLOGIST GRAHAM HUESMAN MD, PHD CONTINUES TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF SEIZURE GENERATION. RESEARCHER ZHAOYUE SHI, PHD IS USING 7 T MRI TO UNDERSTAND THE COGNITIVE DEFICITS SEEN IN APPROXIMATELY 40% COLON CANCER PATIENTS BEFORE TREATMENT STARTS. SHE ALSO UTILIZES 7T MRI IMAGING WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING ALZHEIMER'S DIAGNOSIS. SHE RECEIVED A NEW INVESTIGATOR AWARD FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION TO STUDY VISUALIZATION OF COGNITIVE DEFICITS EARLIER IN THE DISEASE PROCESS. YUAN YANG, PHD, A LEADING EXPERT IN TRANSCRANIAL ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC STIMULATION LEADS RUNNING AN AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION FUNDED CLINICAL TRIAL TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRANSCRANIAL STIMULATION IN RESTORING DEFICITS REMAINING AFTER RECOVERY FROM STROKE. HIS TEAM ALSO PARTNERS WITH OUR 7T RESEARCH TEAM TO VISUALIZE COGNITIVE FUNCTION AFTER STIMULATION. CARLE HEALTH IS HOME TO ONE OF THE LEADING EXPERTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERMOBILE EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME, A CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDER THAT AFFECTS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THE STATE. CHRISTINA LAUKAITIS, MD/PHD, AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERT ON THE GENETIC UNDERPINNINGS OF HYPERMOBILE EHLERS DANLOS DISEASE. DAMON AND LAUKAITIS, WHO PARTNER WITH A TEAM AT UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, ARE STUDYING THE IMPACTS OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE STRUCTURAL WEAKNESSES ON THE RANGE OF INJURIES AND ILLNESS AFFECTING THIS PATIENT POPULATION, INCLUDING A DISORDER THAT CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE BIRTH AND MISCARRIAGE. CARLE HEALTH IS THE PRIMARY CLINICAL RESEARCH PARTNER FOR THE CARLE ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA CH
- $18.1 million spent. THE CARLE COMMUNITY CARE DISCOUNT PROGRAM (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE): AS A TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION, THE CARLE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL PROVIDES CARE TO PATIENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FOR THAT CARE OR SOURCE OF PAYMENT. WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT SOME PATIENTS NEED HELP TO PAY THEIR BILLS. THE CARLE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL'S COMMUNITY CARE DISCOUNT PROGRAM (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE) PROVIDES DISCOUNTS OR FREE CARE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT. OUR COMMUNITY CARE DISCOUNT PROGRAM IS CONTINUALLY EVALUATED AND MANAGED AS NEEDED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. EVALUATION INVOLVES INPUT FROM ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERS, PATIENT ACCOUNTS STAFF, LOCAL CONSUMER ADVOCACY GROUPS, AND PATIENTS. DURING 2024, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ALONE FOR HOSPITAL PATIENTS TOTALED $18,057,494 AT COST.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1982.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.