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Chicago Furniture Bank Inc

EIN 83-1214857 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CHICAGO FURNITURE BANK'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE DIGNITY, STABILITY, AND COMFORT TO CHICAGOANS MOVING INTO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING BY ALLOWING THEM TO HANDPICK AN ENTIRE HOME'S WORTH OF FURNISHINGS.

Income
$8.3 million
Spending
$9.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
77
Volunteers
625
Highest pay
$116,924, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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

    12 of 12 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 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 (2)
  1. $6.8 million spent. THE CHICAGO FURNITURE BANK'S FURNITURE PROGRAM COLLECTS DONATED FURNITURE FROM ALL OVER CHICAGO AND BRINGS IT TO ITS WAREHOUSE TO DISTRIBUTE TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS LEAVING HOMELESSNESS/SHELTERS AND MOVING INTO STABILIZED HOUSING. THE CFB HAS PARTNERED WITH OVER 500 SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES THAT PRIMARILY SERVE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE FORMERLY HOMELESS, VETERANS, AND THOSE FACING OTHER CRISES. PARTNER AGENCIES ARE ABLE TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR CLIENTS TO COME IN AND PERSONALLY HAND PICK THEIR FURNITURE. THE CHICAGO FURNITURE BANK LOOKS TO THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES IN THE WEST AND SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO IN ORDER TO STAFF THE PROGRAM. MORE THAN 50% OF STAFF WORK THROUGH OR HAVE BEEN HIRED FROM LOCAL WORKFORCEDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES IN CHICAGO.
  2. $1.2 million spent. THE CHICAGO FURNITURE BANK OWNS A SINGLE MEMBER LLC, THE HONEST JUNK COMPANY. THE HONEST JUNK COMPANY PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL CLEAN OUTS, COMMERCIAL JUNK REMOVAL, AND DONATION PICK UPS FROM AROUND CHICAGO AND SURROUNDING AREA. ALL ITEMS COLLECTED AT A PICKUP THAT ARE IN GOOD CONDITION ARE DONATED TO PARTNERED NONPROFITS. IN ADDITION, ALL PROCEEDS ARE USED TO SUPPORT THE CHICAGO FURNITURE BANK.

Source: Form 990 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 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 June 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 March 2019.

    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.