Quick charity verification for Chicago Development Fund (EIN: 203295327)
Verdict: Chicago Development Fund appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$1.9MRevenue
$8.1MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in summary data makes precise efficiency analysis challenging.
Consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size is unusual and might warrant further investigation into how leadership is compensated or structured.
Strengths
Consistent and significant asset growth, from $4,265,875 in 2014 to $6,953,276 in 2023.
Strong financial management with expenses consistently below revenue, leading to asset accumulation.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating a high dedication of funds to the mission.
Steady revenue growth, particularly from $574,784 in 2020 to $1,205,691 in 2023.
Spending Breakdown
How Chicago Development Fund allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicago Development Fund
Is Chicago Development Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Chicago Development Fund (EIN: 203295327) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Chicago Development Fund a good charity to donate to?
Chicago Development Fund has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $1.9M. Assets: $8.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Chicago Development Fund?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Chicago Development Fund is 203295327. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Chicago Development Fund spend its money?
Chicago Development Fund allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Chicago Development Fund's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Chicago Development Fund's tax-exempt status using EIN 203295327 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
The Chicago Development Fund demonstrates consistent financial growth and strong program focus based on its IRS 990 filings. Over the past decade, the organization has shown a healthy increase in both revenue and assets, with revenue growing from $1,038,400 in 2014 to $1,205,691 in 2023, and assets expanding from $4,265,875 to $6,953,276 in the same period. This growth indicates effective financial management and an ability to attract resources. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. This practice, coupled with a generally low liabilities-to-assets ratio, suggests a financially stable and well-managed entity.
While specific breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not directly provided in the summary data, the consistent growth in assets relative to expenses, and the absence of officer compensation, strongly imply a high proportion of spending is directed towards programmatic activities. The organization's financial health appears robust, with a solid asset base and a history of managing expenses effectively below revenue, leading to asset accumulation. The lack of reported officer compensation is a notable strength in terms of transparency and public trust.