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Friends of the Children - Chicago

EIN 82-2650675 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN - CHICAGO HAS A MISSION OF IMPACTING GENERATIONAL CHANGE BY EMPOWERING YOUTH WHO ARE FACING THE GREATEST OBSTACLES THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS WITH PROFESSIONAL MENTORS - 12+ YEARS, NO MATTER WHAT. 92% GO ON TO ENROLL IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, SERVE OUR COUNTRY, OR ENTER THE WORKFORCE. 83% GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL OR EARN A GED, 93% AVOID JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT, AND 98% WAIT TO PARENT UNTIL AFTER THEIR TEEN YEARS.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
12 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
41
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$200,119, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 12.0 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 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 19 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

    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 August 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. $2.9 million spent. YOUTH IN THE FRIENDS PROGRAM FACE CONSIDERABLE CHALLENGES, INCLUDING PLACEMENT IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS, HOMELESSNESS, HUNGER, AND CHALLENGES IN ACCESS TO AND QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE. DESPITE THESE BARRIERS, PROGRAM YOUTH ENTER ADULTHOOD WITH STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR CONTINUING ACHIEVEMENT: 92% GO ON TO ENROLL IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, SERVE OUR COUNTRY OR ENTER THE WORKFORCE, 83% GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL OR EARN A GED, 93% AVOID JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT, AND 98% WAIT TO PARENT UNTIL AFTER THEIR TEEN YEARS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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 August 2025.

    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 May 2018.

    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.