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Ligzda Latvian Center

EIN 87-4481615 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceWeak38 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Ligzda is an organization that supports and promotes cultural, ethnic, religious, educational and artistic activities for Latvians in the Chicago area and wherever they may be. Ligzda is home to more than a dozen Latvian organizations including dance groups, cultural organizations, choirs, a radio station, library, schools, a church and more. Ligzda is open to its neighbors and community with public events as well as space available to lease out to other cultural and ethnic organizations and for private gatherings, performances and events. Ligzda is also providing humanitarian assistance to Latvians in Latvia affected by the conflict in Ukraine. As property manager, Ligzda is supported by user fees, donations and many volunteers. Ligzda is a home to KBLS School of Chicago, the largest Latvian school in N America, the Latvian Zion Lutheran Church, active for over 45 years, and the Chicago Latvian Cultural Organization that has organized hundreds of cultural events in Chicago.

Income
$356,715
Spending
$417,000
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
0
Volunteers
7

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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (3)
  1. $302,605 spent. Ligzda Latvian Center has sought donations for humanitarian assistance for Ukrainian war refugees and those affected by the Russian war in Ukraine in Latvia. Financial support was provided an organizations in Latvia called SOS Palidziba Ukrainas Armijai that provides varied support to those affected by the Ukraine war.
  2. $114,395 spent. Ligzda Latvian Center is responsible for managing the Latvian Center property, including managing users of the property, planning, events, being responsible for utilities, insurance, maintenance and repairs, security, renovations, other.
  3. n/a

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 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 January 2023.

    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.