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Hope Serves

EIN 99-2814941 · Lagrange Hlds, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The main exempt purpose is to serve the needy in Chicago in three main expressions of serving people with dignity and Hope. 1 We provide FREE COMMUNITY DINNERS at multiple locations in Chicago neighborhoods with low income populations seniors single parents veterans and others who are experiencing economic needs and or isolation. 2 We also provide FREE COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTION EVENTS at which we distribute free groceries clothing diapers school supplies holiday gifts and other basic household or personal items. In 2025 we had major community events as described in the Pilsen and Bridgeport neighborhoods of Chicago. 3 Minimal preparation was accomplished towards the eventual goal of HOPE MUSIV ACADEMY

Income
$84,467
Spending
$57,699
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $32,942 spent. HOPE SERVES COMMUNITY DINNERS: Our central kitchen prepared and served 200-250 nutritious hot meals every week in 2025 in three different Chicago neighbohoods for a total of 8,750 meals over the course of the year.
  2. $18,054 spent. HOPE SERVES COMMUNITY EVENTS: Our community events team held a large scale distribution of food clothing diapers and laundry detergent on November 14 2025 in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago which served 1,046 people and had pony rides and a petting zoo for the children.
  3. $238 spent. $238 was spent in preparation for the Music Academy in 2025 for room divider panels and background checks.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 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 June 2025.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Hope Services (San Jose, CA), EIN 94-1399287. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.