Passes our checks

Free Lunch Academy

EIN 47-2703768 · Chicago, IL

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

What it says it does

FREE LUNCH ACADEMY IS AN INNOVATIVE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE THAT LEVERAGES SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, ARTISTIC LEARNING TO CULTIVATE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 16.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 40% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
8 of 8 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
0 of 10
Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)

$32,225 spent. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THESE SEAL SERVICES TO 1,250 STUDENTS, FREE LUNCH ACADEMY EMPLOYED A TOTAL OF NINE (9) TEACHING/PERFORMING ARTISTS THROUGHOUT THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR.
$26,819 spent. FREE LUNCH ACADEMY SUBSIDIZED HOUSING FOR A TOTAL OF ONE (1) FREE LUNCH ACADEMY AMBASSADOR THROUGHOUT THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR.
$3,791 spent. FREE LUNCH ACADEMY SERVED NEARLY 10,000 CHICAGOLAND AREA YOUTH THROUGH THEIR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES (E.G. PLAYS, WORKSHOPS, ARTIST RESIDENCIES) IN 2025.
$68,973 spent. FREE LUNCH ACADEMY HOSTED FUNDRAISING EVENTS.
FREE LUNCH ACADEMY HOSTED FUNDRAISING EVENTS.

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

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 November 6, 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 December 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 January 2015.
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 November 4, 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.