Record Community News Group
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
As its primary and most fundamental activity, The Record Community News henceforth The Record produces, publishes and distributes hyperlocal, independent news and information via a news site, emailed newsletter and audio recordings or podcasts. The Record reports information that is educational to the residents of the North Shore of Chicago - a suburban area north of the city limits and along Lake Michigan's shoreline - and operates in a manner consistent with tax-exempt status under section 501c3.
- Income
- $298,634
- Spending
- $235,457
- Spent on programs
- 58%
- Reserves
- 5.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 73%
- Employees
- 3
- Highest pay
- $86,961, treasurer
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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 70% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1558% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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
Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $136,118 spent. The Record publishes content that educates the public on subjects useful to the individual and beneficial to the community, as the Treasury Regulations stipulate. This work, which as of now takes up 75 percent of The Record's funding and resources, contributes to the public's knowledge on core issues and information that affect their day-to-day lives and their financial and emotional investments. The Record's work creates a more engaged and informed public. The Record covers a diverse range of topics that is relevant to suburban Chicago residents, such as local and regional government, local schools, public health and safety, local athletics and entertainment, business, environment and other local issues. The Record focuses on holding public entities accountable and informs residents of the town's and schools' uses of public dollars. The Record employs a dedicated editorial staff with an understanding of the community that follows and investigates local issues to produce original reporting. All of The Record's journalism undergoes professional scrutiny and fact-checking prior to publication. The Record's editorial standards cover balance, literary quality, originality, sourcing strength, contextualization and more. The implementation of these standards are overseen by the Editor in Chief. The Record's Board of Directors ensures The Record maintains its editorial standards, but does not modify the journalistic integrity of the Editor in Chief, a crucial protection of independent journalism and a distinction from how for-profit news organizations operate.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.