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Reader Institute for Community Journalism Inc

EIN 84-3670420 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak27 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

READER INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY JOURNALISM, INC. (RICJI) IS ORGANIZED AND OPERATED TO EDUCATE, ADVANCE, AND INFORM PUBLIC DISCOURSE THROUGH LOCAL, INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM IN THE GREATER CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AREA. RICJI OPERATES AND PUBLISHES THE CHICAGO READER, AN ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER, WHICH CREATES AND CURATES POLITICAL AND CULTURAL COVERAGE BY AND FOR CHICAGO, INCLUDING HIGHLIGHTING UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES AND STORIES.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
-2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
49
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$154,500, ceo

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

Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 131% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $2.5 million spent. RESEARCH, ANALYZE, AND ENGAGE ON PUBLIC POLICY, CURRENT EVENTS, AND THE ARTS. ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH PUBLICATION OF THE CHICAGO READER INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER.
  2. $8,468 spent. ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE AND ADDITION OF OTHER INDEPENDENT MEDIA OUTLETS IN THE CHICAGO AREA IN ADDITION TO THE CHICAGO READER. ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF THE CHICAGO INDEPENDENT MEDIA ALLIANCE (CIMA), AN ALLIANCE OF 69 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS.

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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 2020.

    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 November 4, 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.