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Resolution Systems Institute

EIN 46-1068004 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Resolution Systems Institute (RSI) is a unique non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen justice by enhancing court alternative dispute resolution (ADR) systems through expertise in program development, research and resources.

Income
$714,460
Spending
$831,880
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
13
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$69,177, executive director

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $239,118 spent. Mediation Programs - RSI works with courts to develop, improve and administer ADR programs as an adjunct to traditional litigation. These programs free courts to focus on cases that require judicial attention, while enabling disputing parties to reach resolutions faster, at a lower cost and in a more satisfying manner. Services vary by program, but typically include reaching out to mediation proponents, providing expert guidance for stakeholder meetings, drafting or refining court rules, providing sample forms, and designing program monitoring systems. In some programs, RSI also provides specialized training of neutrals, on-site program administration, and monitoring and evaluation services. RSI partners with courts, attorneys, mediators and other community members to develop mediation programs for major civil litigation, including foreclosure; small claims, including landlord/tenant; family, including child custody and financial issues; child protection; and criminal and juvenile cases. RSI is currently conducting foreclosure mediation programs in four Illinois counties: Kane, Lake, Winnebago and Boone. RSI is also conducting a child protection mediation in Kane County.
  2. $46,243 spent. Resource Center - Aboutrsi.org/Resource-Center is RSI's national resource center, the most comprehensive and respected source of information on court ADR. Highlights of Aboutrsi.org/Resource-Center include a searchable database with abstracts of more than 5,000 court ADR resources, instructions on developing and evaluating court ADR programs, and a compendium of court ADR resources from every state across the nation. RSI staff members also respond personally to inquiries from around the globe on court ADR topics.
  3. $249,649 spent. Research - RSI conducts independent research projects about the provision of quality ADR services and best practices in state and federal courts. RSI also designs and monitors and evaluates systems for court mediation throughout Illinois. This includes creating mediator reports and attorney and party evaluation surveys, as well as developing database systems to collect program information and reports to turn the data into actionable information. RSI has worked with civil, small claims, foreclosure and child custody mediation programs, as well as a juvenile restorative justice program. Researching how courts currently use ADR is essential in identifying best practices and creating program models. These are used to inspire and guide new program development, as well as improve existing programs.
  4. $90,487 spent. Outreach and Education - RSI educates about ADR and advocates for court ADR to be conducted in an effective, efficient manner that is satisfying to participants. To further this goal, RSI uses a variety of outreach methods. From writing articles to publishing studies and co-editing entire books, RSI seeks to improve the quality of court ADR through an array of targeted publications. In addition, RSI staff members speak regularly to bar associations, mediation groups, and other interested audiences, about current issues in ADR such as mediation ethics, evaluating court ADR programs, and mediator quality.

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 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 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 December 2013.

    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.