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Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois

EIN 82-1781424 · Naperville, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Prison ministry: To bring comfort to incarcerated individuals. To assist individuals released from prison in reintegrating into society.

Income
$95,406
Spending
$90,983
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Highest pay
$51,385, minister and executive director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 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 5% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 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 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. $69,977 spent. Ministry: 77% of total expenses go to staff salaries and associated professional expenses for travel and incidentals. This compensation is a major driving force in the programming, as the Minister and the Prison Solidarity Specialist [associate] co-lead with volunteers or lead workshops, education opportunities, as well as providing administrative support without which said programming would not occur. The minister and associate also provides spiritual care, leadership and is a driver of communication amongst leaders and volunteers in the various team ministries while also serving as a representatives and information-sharer in community spaces on behalf of the organization, reaching 1200 contacts in Illinois through our newsletter and working with leaders and teams in the working ministries of Education (currently 50 people), Advocacy (20 people), Inside ministry (13 people), Solidarity Circles (15 people), as well as reaching congregations through Sunday morning services.
  2. $9,369 spent. Education: (theology, advocacy, trauma informed pastoral care, intercultural competency, circle keeping, how to be a Pen Pal with someone in prison) account for 10% of total expenses. Various workshops and training benefits 200 people who receive ongoing services of support and programming. Other expenses go to communications costs for software as well as postage and paper for mailing newsletters to people incarcerated in Illinois. Advisory Council (6 people) composed of members from a variety of cultural backgrounds, who advise the Steering Committee and provide education opportunities for leadership and members at large.
  3. $6,000 spent. Solidarity Circles account for 7% of total expenses. Five circle leaders (recently released from prison) benefit from this financial and moral support. This is to assist them in reintegrating into society. Each grantee works with a Solidarity Circle Group from their local congregation.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 October 13, 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 2018.

    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 October 21, 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.