Territory NFP
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Territory is a place-based urban design studio where young people are building better futures for themselves and their communities through the practice of design.
- Income
- $399,423
- Spending
- $423,318
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 7.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 65%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $65,937, executive director
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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 60% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (3)
- $107,697 spent. Territory Urban Design Team (TUDT): Intro design program ages 14-18, where young people discover design careers and skills by doing hands on projects making safe spaces in our neighborhood for community members to gather and socialize. Accomplishments include commission of mural for Chicago Transit Authority train wrap, designed and built a gateway arch for for two public gardens, prototype of waste collection bins and two interactive community-made murals, design and models for other placemaking ideas.
- $109,072 spent. Territory Advanced Design Studio (TADS):Advanced program where young people gain project management and leadership skills developing and building urban design solutions. Accomplishments include completed seating crates and benches for public garden, district plan for Cicero and Division Soul City Corridor East, and Youth-Led Urban Design magazine.
- $116,106 spent. PATHS: Career Pathways for 18+ Fellowships and internships for young people seeking professional opportunities in urban-design related careers including architecture, planning, community development and construction management. Accomplishments include internship for design experience to plan, design and build a seating area to commemorate a historic landmark, design-build internships to create decks for public garden, VISTA project in youth engagement through social media, mentorship to increase program retention.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.