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Live Free Chicago

EIN 81-5487128 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LIVE FREE ILLINOIS IS A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION PARTNERING WITH OVER 120 CONGREGATIONS AND DIRECTLY IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS TO BUILD SAFER, MORE QUITABLE COMMUNITIES ACROSS ILLINOIS. OPERATING AT THE INTERSECTION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ABD PUBLIC SAFETY, THE ORGANIZATION DRIVES SYSTEMIC CHANGE TO REDUCE VIOLENCE, IMPROVE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND INVEST IN COMMUNITY-LED SOLUTIONS.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 60%
Employees
22
Volunteers
120
Highest pay
$119,954, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $1.3 million spent. Community Healing Resource Centers (CHRC) Program (JulyDecember 2024): From July through December 2024, the CHRC Program delivered substantial community impact, holding 246 community outreach events that reached 6,653 people and 210 community healing events that engaged an additional 4,703 participants. The program completed 363 case-management intakes and 329 mental-health referrals. During this period, the program also underwent key infrastructure and leadership transitions, including onboarding a new CHRC Director, hosting an in-person CHRC retreat for staff and Executive Directors, and redesigning the mental health access process by introducing a dedicated mental health service coordinator and hiring a Mental Health CHRC Network Coordinator. The South Suburbs CHRC site was successfully transitioned to Victory Church in Park Forest, IL, and the team co-planned and participated in the Gather of Communities annual event at UIC. All CHRC Executive Directors and site staff completed the 3-Day Organizing Training, and the program maintained consistent service despite fiscal uncertainty and payment delays from the funder. Live Free Illinois finalized outstanding FY2024 funder issues and secured ICJIA contract renewals for all CHRC sites for FY2025.
  2. $431,655 spent. ILLINOIS COALITION TO END PERMANENT PUNISHMENTS (ENDPP.ORG): EXPANDED ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND PUBLIC AWARENESS IN 2024. PASSED THE FREE ACT, SECURED FUNDING RELATIONSHIPS, AND ADVANCED LEGISLATIVE REFORMS. DEVELOPED A REPLICABLE ADVOCACY MODEL INTEGRATING RESEARCH, ORGANIZING, POLICY, AND ARTS.
  3. $262,805 spent. ORGANIZING AND POLICY: In 2024, Live Free Illinois advanced statewide organizing and policy efforts by advocating for the passage of Clean Slate and the Homicide Data Act, as well as supporting the expansion of the Community Healing Resource Center Network. The organization convened more than 250 faith leaders from across the state, conducted hundreds of one-on-one meetings with community leaders, and worked with over 130 congregations to strengthen grassroots engagement. Live Free Illinois also amplified narrative change efforts on public safety and criminal justice reform through coverage in local and national media.
  4. $82,333 spent. Decarceration Fellowship: During the reporting period, Live Free Illinois launched Cohort 3 of the Decarceration Fellowship and expanded its model to include engagement with fellows during pre-incarceration. The fellowship also began developing a structured post-incarceration support period to ensure stronger continuity of care, leadership development, and long-term impact for justice-impacted participants.
  5. ALL OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2017.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.