Third Space Chicago
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THIRD SPACE is a community space in the heart of Chicagos Lakeview neighborhood where people can gather, learn, and form meaningful relationships. Our mission for Third Space is to leverage our strong relationships with underserved community segments and focus on increasing important services to support their needs and enhance the quality of life. Currently our focus is on our programs dedicated to community Seniors to counter isolationism and help provide personal connections to aid in addressing mental health issues that are common as we age, especially for those who live alone. A secondary goal to help meet a local need for affordable and accessible rehearsal and performance space within the local arts community by nurturing our partnerships with small community theater, comedy, and music groups.
- Income
- $114,404
- Spending
- $114,324
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 57%
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
Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 91% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
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 (3)
- $46,709 spent. Lunch Bunch, our daily hot-lunch program offered to community seniors over the age of 60, provided 6,946 nutritious meals this year! Providing community, friendship, as well as tasty food daily is only possible thanks to an amazing group of more than 30 volunteers from the congregation and neighborhood as well as our partnership with First Slice, our caterer.
- $31 spent. Documentary Thursdays resumed in early 2025 under the leadership of Eric Diekhans who gracefully contributed his film knowledge and contacts in the industry so that we were able to host free screenings for eight different documentaries. Each touched on a current topic relative to our community and included a question and answer session with the films producer or other expert on the topic that allowed for engagement with the audience and great conversation. Films ranged from serious topics like minimum wage and immigration challenges to more light-hearted subjects like the Wisconsin cheese industry and the mail-order moguls of Chicago.
- $12,319 spent. In addition to the community service programs weve offered to our neighbors, this year we had a full year of composting the leftover food from Lunch Bunch and church events, including compostable tableware that we used during our Holiday Potluck. While it seems like a small effort, it does have a positive environmental impact. Thank you to Urban Canopy, our composting partner, and Tzedek Chicago for partnering in covering the cost.
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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2019 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on December 15, 2019.
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 May 2020.
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.