Chicago Southwest Development Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
- Only 19% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The mission of the Chicago Southwest Development Corporation is to create self-sustaining communities throughout Chicago's underserved neighborhoods, to enrich the lives of families through non-traditional education, recreation, and health and wellness programs, and to enhance social service programs that specifically meet the needs of each individual community.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $8.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 19%
- Reserves
- -10.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 2
- Highest pay
- $1.4 million, president and 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
Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 8455% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 742% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3488% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1519% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 252 of 3 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (1)
- $1.6 million spent. Chicago Southwest Development Corporation is developing a multipurpose campus on 30 acres called the Focal Point Community Campus (the "Campus"). The Campus will reside on three lots at 31st Street and Kedzie Avenue in Southwest Chicago, including the former site of the Washburne Trade School. The proposed one million square-foot complex will offer a range of retail, wellness, education, arts, and recreation elements focused on the complete well-being of community members instead of purely on one element, such as health care. Saint Anthony Hospital, a related tax-exempt organization, will serve as a tenant of the Campus and will continue to provide emergency and medical care that turns no one away, regardless of ability to pay. There will also be an outpatient and specialty clinic to meet a wide range of rehabilitative and health maintenance needs.
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 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.
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 August 2014.
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 October 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Southwest Human Development Incorporated (Phoenix, AZ), EIN 86-0407179. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.