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Elms University Center

EIN 82-5264666 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ELMS UNIVERSITY CENTER OFFERS SEMINARS, CLASSES, AND INDIVIDUAL MENTORING TO THOUSANDS OF UNIVERSITY, HIGH SCHOOL, AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN. ELMS HAS HELPED WOMEN GROW IN THEIR CAPACITY FOR SERVICE, PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS, AND LOVE OF GOD AND OTHERS, DRAWING ON THE SPIRITUALITY OF OPUS DEI, A PERSONAL PRELATURE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Income
$492,322
Spending
$451,554
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
9
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$23,167, secretary

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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $425,287 spent. TO SUPPORT WOMEN OF ALL AGES IN THEIR SOCIAL, PROFESSIONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND INSPIRE THEM TOWARD EFFECTUAL LEADERSHIP IN THEIR VARIED ROLES AND ENVIRONMENTS, BY OFFERING SEMINARS, SUPPORT, CLASSES AND INDIVIDUAL MENTORING. WEEKLY EVENTS FOR DOZENS OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN INCLUDES MENTORING, BIBLE STUDY, TIMES OF GUIDED MEDITATION, OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER & CULTURAL DISCUSSIONS. FOR TWO MONTHS EACH SUMMER, COUNSELORS IN RESIDENCE OF THE METRO ACHIEVEMENT CENTER RECEIVE PERSONAL MENTORING, COACHING AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONAL SPIRITUAL FORMATION. APPROXIMATELY 300 WOMEN ATTENDED PERIODIC EVENTS.

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 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 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 December 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.