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Spark Ventures

EIN 51-0626562 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE CHILDREN IN UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES WITH EDUCATION, NUTRITION, AND HEALTHCARE AS WELL AS JOBS, CAPACITY BUILDING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS AND ADULTS. THE ORGANIZATION STRENGTHENS AND SUSTAINS PARTNERS BY PROVIDING HUMAN RESOURCES, STRATEGIC GUIDANCE, AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$916,458
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
4
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$99,456, executive dir.

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 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)
  1. $509,816 spent. THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS OVER 1000 VULNERABLE CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS IN UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES IN ZAMBIA, NICARAGUA, MEXICO AND CHICAGO THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE THE CHILDREN WITH EDUCATION, FOOD, SHELTER, HEALTH CARE AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AS WELL AS VOCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES AND JOBS FOR VULNERABLE TEENS AND ADULTS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO USES FUNDS TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PARTNER PROGRAMS, DEVELOP AND TRAIN PERSONNEL, AND EXECUTE CAPITAL PROJECTS.
  2. $204,561 spent. THE ORGANIZATION EDUCATES AND RAISES AWARENESS BY COMMUNICATING THE NEEDS AND VISION OF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS SHARING INFORMATION REGARDING THE CONDITIONS AND REALITIES WITHIN THE PARTNERS' COUNTRIES AND COMMUNITIES.
  3. $92,214 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES DOMESTIC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING AND VOLUNTEER TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES TO VISIT AND ENGAGE FIRST?HAND WITH ITS PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, A PORTION OF THE TRIP COSTS GOES TOWARD SUPPORTING THE PARTNER ORGANIZATION.

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

  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 November 6, 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 June 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 August 2007.

    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 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.