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Center for Technology and Civic Life

EIN 47-2158694 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CENTER'S MISSION IS TO INCREASE CIVIC PARTICIPATION BY MODERNIZING ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE. THE CENTER ACCOMPLISHES THIS BY (1) WRITTEN AND MULTIMEDIA MATERIALS, (2) PROVIDING EXPERT CONSULTING SERVICES TO GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, AND (3) IN-PERSON TRAINING SEMINARS FOR LOCAL GOVERNEMNT AGENCIES.

Income
$29.0 million
Spending
$25.3 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
26.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
61
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$218,810, executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 184% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 January 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 (3)
  1. $16.7 million spent. THE CENTER EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND DEMOCRACY IN THE UNITED STATES, FOCUSING PARTICULARLY ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THE CENTER DOES THIS BY AGGREGATING AND DISSEMINATING DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT GOVERNMENT, CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND VOTING IN THE UNITED STATES IN EASILY ACCESSIBLE "DATASETS". THESE DATASETS INCLUDE INFORMATION THAT HELP THE GENERAL PUBLIC FIND BASIC INFORMATION, INCLUDING WHAT IS ON THEIR BALLOT AND WHO REPRESENTS THEM. THESE DATASETS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
  2. $2.2 million spent. THE CENTER'S GOVERNMENT SERVICES PROGRAM EDUCATES GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ABOUT THE SKILLS, STRATEGIES, AND TOOLS TO ENGAGE THEIR CITIZENS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH (1) WRITTEN AND MULTIMEDIA MATERIALS, (2) PROVIDING EXPERT CONSULTING SERVICES TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND (3) IN-PERSON TRAINING SEMINARS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
  3. $1.6 million spent. EDUCATE ELECTION OFFICIALS ON HOW TO IDENTIFY FUNDING GAPS IN THEIR DEPARTMENTS AND HOW TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO CLOSE THE GAP THROUGH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 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 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 January 2025.

    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.