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Passes our checks

Ican Dream Center NFP

EIN 46-2281009 · Tinley Park, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

ICAN DREAM CENTER FUELS DREAMS BY EMPOWERING YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND THEIR FAMILIES, WITH THE SKILLS TO THRIVE.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
67
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$119,199, executive director/president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 101% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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, 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 (2)
  1. $2.0 million spent. DREAM CATCHERS TRANSITION PROGRAM - AN ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (ISBE) APPROVED TRANSITION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES STUDENTS AGED 17-21 WITH A SUPPORTED, MEANINGFUL, AND SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION INTO ADULTHOOD. IN ADDITION TO REINFORCING THE TRADITIONAL ACADEMIC HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM, THE PROGRAM TEACHES STUDENTS HOW TO APPLY THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOP THE CRITICAL SKILLS NEEDED TO TRANSITION INTO A FULFILLING LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. STUDENTS GAIN COMPENSATED WORK EXPERIENCE, EARN CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION (IF NEEDED), AND PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
  2. $1.0 million spent. LITTLE DREAMERS ACADEMY WAS DEVELOPED IN RESPONSE TO THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND THERAPEUTIC SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-7 YEARS OLD. THE DEMAND FOR QUALITY THERAPEUTIC DAY PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG LEARNERS WITH INTENSE NEEDS IS PRONOUNCED AND INCREASING. THIS ISBE-APPROVED PROGRAM FILLS THE GAP PROVIDING IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND LEARNING STYLES. WE UTILIZE EMPIRICALLY-BASED METHODOLOGY, TO CREATE LIFE-LONG LEARNERS EMPHASIZING CONTINUITY BETWEEN THE STUDENTS HOME AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 June 2014.

    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.