Windy City Blues Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Cultural / Historical musical performing arts
- Income
- $49,027
- Spending
- $42,583
- Reserves
- 2.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 (6)
- $12,125 spent. Willow Springs Blues Festival, FREE of charge, July 26th Willow Springs, IL. our 4th year, 1 day festival, 1 stage, featuring national and local blues music talent, roughly 3,000 in attendance, Created awareness of blues music art form, Cultural and historical significance, hired 40 musicians, performances all recorded on film and audio. We bring together a diverse cross section of the community. The festivals foster community development and provide guests with a sense of connection and a shared emotional experience.
- $11,305 spent. Chicago Blues Fest (Early June) Festival vendor, spread the news about the blues to over 100,000 attendees. Sign up approx 100 members, sold approx $16,000 in merchandise. Primarily an opportunity to raise funds through merchandise and membership sales. Create awareness about our programs.
- $5,129 spent. Chicago Blues Challenge, a timed & judged battle of the Blues bands. 3 divisions; Youth, Band, SoloDuet. Winning acts move on to the International Blues Challenge (presented by The Blues Foundation) in Memphis TN. 9 musical participated, had over 250 in attendance Grants awarded to each division winner.
- $6,333 spent. sponsoring a stage at the King Biscuit Blues Fest, in Helena Arkansas, one of the most poverty stricken areas of America. The stage is called the "Quicksand / Buskers Stage" The musicians play for tips. The Blues Society raised $5,500 to pay the musicians some money and help with the operational costs of the stage. For many "up & coming" musicians, playing the King Biscuit is a dream come true, this stage may be their only opportunity to play the festival.
- $1,300 spent. Four Blues in the schools programs. St Edwards School and Washington school in Lyons school District 103
- $632 spent. sponsorship and promotion of the Brothers Field Blues Festival in Long Grove Illinois.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 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 October 2010.
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.