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Lyte Collective

EIN 47-1784239 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LYTE COLLECTIVE PROVIDES CHICAGO YOUTH IN SITUATIONS OF POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS WITH SAFE SPACE, CRITICAL RESOURCES AND HOLISTIC SUPPORT. THE ORGANIZATION INVESTS IN THE EXTRAORDINARY GIFTS, AND POWER OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND WORK TO ENSURE THAT ALL YOUTH HAVE THE SAFETY, OPPORTUNITIES AND JUSTICE THEY DESERVE.

Income
$573,350
Spending
$951,016
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
-4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
16
Volunteers
45

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

Weak: 31 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 66% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $916,201 spent. LYTE COLLECTIVE SERVED YOUTH EXPERIENCING POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS THROUGH HOLISTIC SUPPORT SERVICES THAT INCLUDED: CONNECTION TO HOUSING; PROVIDING FOOD, CLOTHING, SUPPLIES AND TRANSPORTATION; PROVIDING EMERGENCY FUNDS; ENROLLMENT SUPPORT AND AVOCACY WITHIN HIGH SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES; SUPPORT IN GAINING EMPLOYMENT AND INCREASING INCOME; ACCEESSING PUBLIC BENEFITS; ACCESSING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES; OBTAINING CHILDCARE; OBTAINING LEGAL SERVICES; HOSTING GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES; AND ONGOING MENTORSHIP.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.