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Renew Communities NFP

EIN 81-4200406 · Lake Forest, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RENEW'S MISSION IS TO REFLECT GOD'S LOVE FOR OUR UNDER RESOURCED NEIGHBORS BY COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP, ENRICH COMMUNITY LIFE AND GROW SMALL BUSINESSES WITH THE GOAL OF IGNITING A TIPPING POINT TOWARD REVITALIZATION.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
46.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
16
Volunteers
332
Highest pay
$256,386, chairman

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 74% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $896,246 spent. MATTHEW HOMES - RENEW IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION SEEKING TO PROMOTE AND ACCELERATE REVITALIZATION IN THE CITY OF NORTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, THROUGH ITS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM, CALLED MATTHEW HOMES. RENEW'S GOAL IS TO INCREASE ATTAINABLE HOME OWNERSHIP FOR 300 FAMILIES AND ENCOURAGE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY. TO DATE, RENEW HAS FACILITATED THE PURCHASE AND COMPLETION OF OVER 30 MATTHEW HOMES (REHABS AND NEW CONSTRUCTION) AND WORK IS UNDERWAY ON 15 MORE. POSITIONING FOR GROWTH - RENEW IS WORKING DILIGENTLY TO REFINE PROCESSES AND IMPLEMENT AN OPERATING STRUCTURE THAT WILL SUPPORT A SIGNIFICANT ACCELERATION OF OUR MATTHEW HOMES PROGRAM OVER THE NEXT 3 YEARS, ALLOWING THE ORGANIZATION TO RAMP UP PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS, RENOVATIONS AND NEW CONSTRUCTION.RENEW'S NEWLY BUILT HOMES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY LEADING EXPERTS AND FEATURE FULL BASEMENTS, 3 BEDROOMS, 2 FULL BATHROOMS AND A 2 CAR GARAGE. RENEW HAS A SIGNIFICANT MATTHEW HOMES OUTREACH PROGRAM, ATTRACTING QUALITY AND EXPERT VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY, AREA CHURCHES AND BUSINESSES. THE MATTHEW HOMES TEAM ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE CITY OF NORTH CHICAGO STAFF, LOCAL CONTRACTORS AND THIRD-PARTY HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS IN THE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF VIABLE PROPERTIES. RENEW CONTINUES TO DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS TO ASSIST IN WORKER SKILL DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS INTERESTED IN CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT. RENEW'S PARTNERSHIP WITH A NON-PROFIT LICENSED HOME LENDING ORGANIZATION MAKES HOME OWNERSHIP ATTAINABLE BY PROVIDING COMPETITIVE LENDING TERMS FOR BORROWERS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE LIMITED FINANCING OPTIONS.RENEW BELIEVES THAT PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOMES COMBINED WITH A QUALITY SCHOOL SYSTEM IS INTEGRAL TO RETAINING AND ATTRACTING ENGAGED FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY. THEREFORE, LEADERS OF RENEW'S MATTHEW HOMES PROGRAM ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, WHO IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN DEVELOPING QUALITY PROGRAMS, ATTRACTING GREAT TEACHERS AND STAFF AND WORKING TO INSPIRE STUDENTS AND BUILD STRONG COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 2017.

    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.