Chicago Art Department
Chicago Art Department shows strong revenue growth and program spending, with a notable increase in liabilities in the latest fiscal year.
EIN: 201868213 · Chicago, IL · NTEE: A25 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $409K |
| Total Expenses | $425K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $550,000 |
| Net Assets | $299K |
| Transparency Score | 88/100 |
Is Chicago Art Department Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Chicago Art Department directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Chicago Art Department
Chicago Art Department (EIN: 201868213) is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, IL, classified under NTEE code A25. The organization reported total revenue of $409K and total assets of $513K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Chicago Art Department's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Chicago Art Department is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 24.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $551K |
| Total Expenses | $425K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$126K |
| Total Assets | $719K |
| Total Liabilities | $420K |
| Net Assets | $299K |
| Operating Margin | 22.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 58.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 20.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Chicago Art Department reported a surplus of $126K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 20.3 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 58.5% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Chicago Art Department's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +46.2% | +31.2% | +191.0% |
| 2022 | +43.0% | +39.2% | +101.2% |
| 2021 | +37.8% | +17.1% | +69.7% |
| 2020 | -19.2% | -4.6% | -9.8% |
| 2019 | +24.1% | +31.6% | +55.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Chicago Art Department with a Mission Score of 88 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 12%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 8%
According to IRS 990 filings, Chicago Art Department allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 12%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 8%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $126K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 58.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, suggesting that the organization's leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer categories, which is highly efficient for an organization of its size with over $550,000 in revenue.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Chicago Art Department's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant increase in liabilities from $73,990 in 2022 to $420,433 in 2023, requiring further investigation.
- Lack of detailed breakdown for the 0% officer compensation, which could obscure how leadership is supported.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Chicago Art Department:
- Strong program spending ratio, indicating efficient use of funds for its mission.
- Consistent revenue growth from $191,079 in 2020 to $550,924 in 2023.
- Significant asset growth from $72,374 in 2020 to $719,079 in 2023.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting high efficiency or volunteer leadership.
- Positive net income in recent years, indicating financial health and sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicago Art Department
Is Chicago Art Department a legitimate charity?
Chicago Art Department (EIN: 201868213) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Illinois. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 88/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $409K. 2 red flags identified. 5 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Chicago Art Department spend its money?
Chicago Art Department directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 8%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Chicago Art Department tax-deductible?
Chicago Art Department is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201868213). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Chicago Art Department CEO make?
Chicago Art Department's highest-compensated officer earns $550,000 annually. The organization reported $409K in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Chicago Art Department's spending goes to programs?
Chicago Art Department directs 80% to programs, 8% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Chicago Art Department compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 88/100 (Excellent), Chicago Art Department is above average for NTEE category A25 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Chicago Art Department located?
Chicago Art Department is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and files with the IRS under EIN 201868213. It is classified under NTEE code A25.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Chicago Art Department have?
Chicago Art Department has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $409K in total revenue.
Is Chicago Art Department a good charity?
Based on its strong program spending (estimated 80%), consistent revenue growth, and increasing assets, Chicago Art Department appears to be a good charity effectively utilizing its resources for its mission. The 0% officer compensation is also a positive indicator of efficiency.
What caused the significant increase in liabilities from $73,990 in 2022 to $420,433 in 2023?
The IRS 990 data alone does not specify the nature of this liability increase. It could be due to program-related debt, capital expenditures, or other financial obligations, and would require reviewing the full Form 990 for detailed schedules.
How does Chicago Art Department sustain its operations with 0% reported officer compensation?
The organization likely relies on volunteer leadership, or its key personnel are compensated as regular employees rather than officers, or through other non-reportable means under the 'officer compensation' category on the 990-EZ or 990, Part VII, Section A.
What is the long-term sustainability given the fluctuating revenue in earlier years?
While earlier years showed some revenue fluctuations (e.g., $402,445 in 2015 down to $56,447 in 2016, then growing steadily), the recent trend from 2020 to 2023 shows consistent and significant growth, suggesting improved financial stability and fundraising capabilities.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Chicago Art Department showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Chicago Art Department's revenue has grown by 1325.9%, moving from $39K to $551K. Total assets increased by 47838.6% over the same period, from $2K to $719K. Total functional expenses rose by 1004.1%, from $39K to $425K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Chicago Art Department reported a surplus of $126K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $420K in liabilities against $719K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 58.5%), resulting in net assets of $299K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $551K | $425K | $719K | $420K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $377K | $324K | $247K | $74K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $263K | $233K | $123K | $20K | — | — |
| 2020 | $191K | $199K | $72K | $458 | — | — |
| 2019 | $237K | $209K | $80K | $500 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $190K | $158K | $52K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $97K | $93K | $20K | $0 | — | — |
| 2016 | $56K | $177K | $10K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $402K | $348K | $141K | $683 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $304K | $309K | $86K | $13K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $202K | $110K | $92K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $55K | $57K | $155 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $39K | $39K | $2K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $551K, expenses of $425K, and assets of $719K (revenue +46.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $377K, expenses of $324K, and assets of $247K (revenue +43.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $263K, expenses of $233K, and assets of $123K (revenue +37.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $191K, expenses of $199K, and assets of $72K (revenue -19.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $237K, expenses of $209K, and assets of $80K (revenue +24.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $190K, expenses of $158K, and assets of $52K (revenue +96.1% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $97K, expenses of $93K, and assets of $20K (revenue +72.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $56K, expenses of $177K, and assets of $10K (revenue -86.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $402K, expenses of $348K, and assets of $141K (revenue +32.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $304K, expenses of $309K, and assets of $86K (revenue +50.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $202K, expenses of $110K, and assets of $92K (revenue +265.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $55K, expenses of $57K, and assets of $155 (revenue +43.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $39K, expenses of $39K, and assets of $2K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Chicago Art Department:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Chicago Art Department is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.