Chicago Help Initiative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE CHICAGO HELP INITIATIVE IS A CONSORTIUM OF BUSINESS, RESIDENTIAL, RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL SERVICES, INSTITUTIONAL AND VOLUNTEER LEADERS STRIVING TO PROMOTE AN ATMOSPHERE OF DIGNITY AND COMPASSION TOWARD THOSE IN NEED BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO FOOD, HEALTH SERVICES, SHELTER AND EMPLOYMENT. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO EDUCATE LOCAL BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS AS TO HOW THEY CAN HELP EASE THE PLIGHT OF THE HOMELESS, DISADVANTAGED AND OUT OF WORK INDIVIDUALS AND IMPROVE THEIR WELL-BEING, SELF ESTEEM AND PRODUCTIVITY.
- Income
- $353,610
- Spending
- $326,368
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 16.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 18
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 16.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $23,968 spent. WEDNESDAY DINNERS:EACH WEDNESDAY A NUTRITIOUS MEAL IS PROVIDED TO GUESTS AT A DINNER HALL. THE MEALS ARE DONATED BY THE LOCAL AREA RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, BUSINESS, BOARD MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN THEMSELVES. THE WEEKLY MEALS ARE SERVED IN A WARM AND WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE BY A HOST OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSURE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR THE GUESTS. IN ADDITION TO THE HOT MEALS SERVED, WE PUT TOGETHER BAG MEALS FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT BE ACCOMODATED IN THE HALL BECAUSE OF FIRE CODE REQUIREMENTS. A TYPICAL ORGANIZATION'S MEAL WILL INCLUDE GUEST SPEAKERS, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT OR GAME NIGHTS. GUEST SPEAKERS PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT MATTERS OF INTEREST TO OUR CLIENTS. GUEAST ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS WITH VARIOUS COMMUNITY AGENCIES PRESENT AT THE MEALS. APPROXIMATELY 18,500 MEALS WERE SERVED DURING WEDNESDAY DINNERS.
- $19,852 spent. HOLIDAY GIFTS PROGRAM:EVERY CHRISTMAS, THE CHICAGO HELP INITIATIVE PROVIDES GIFT CARDS FOR THE GUESTS WE SERVE, FOCUSED ON THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAMS, ARE NOT ALONE AND THAT THEY ARE PART OF A COMMUNITY. FOR SOME OF OUR GUESTS, IT CAN BE THE ONLY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THEIR VALUE OVER THIS HOLIDAY PERIOD.
- $172,420 spent. ADULT LEARNING PROGRAM, HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.