Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center consistently operates at a deficit, with liabilities exceeding assets in its latest filing.
EIN: 208411320 · Chicago, IL · NTEE: S41 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $5.3M |
| Total Expenses | $9.5M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $9 |
| Net Assets | $-5,635,957 |
| Transparency Score | 55/100 |
Is Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (EIN: 208411320) is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, IL, classified under NTEE code S41. The organization reported total revenue of $5.3M and total assets of $18.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center is a mid-size 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 15.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $6.2M |
| Total Expenses | $9.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-3,245,189 |
| Total Assets | $20.7M |
| Total Liabilities | $26.3M |
| Net Assets | $-5,635,957 |
| Operating Margin | -52.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 127.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 26.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center reported a deficit of $3.2M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 26.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 127.3% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -30.9% | -6.1% | +227.3% |
| 2022 | +10.7% | +6.2% | +6.8% |
| 2021 | -8.5% | -3.2% | -31.4% |
| 2020 | +5.1% | +2.8% | +1.6% |
| 2019 | -7.3% | -9.0% | -12.6% |
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 Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center with a Mission Score of 55 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% 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 deficit of $3.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 127.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this size with annual expenses often exceeding $9 million. This could indicate that executive compensation is covered by a related entity or not reported in a standard manner, requiring further scrutiny for full transparency.
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 Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) across multiple years, e.g., $9.47M expenses vs. $6.22M revenue in 2023.
- Significant increase in liabilities to $26,305,282 in 2023, exceeding total assets of $20,669,325.
- Unusual reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, despite substantial organizational size and expenses.
- Fluctuating and sometimes negative net assets (Assets - Liabilities) in recent years, indicating potential financial instability.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center:
- Significant asset base, reaching over $20 million in 2023, indicating substantial resources.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting consistent compliance and operational longevity.
- Demonstrated ability to raise substantial revenue, with several years exceeding $8 million.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
Is Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center a legitimate charity?
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (EIN: 208411320) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Illinois. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 55/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $5.3M. 4 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.
How does Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center spend its money?
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center tax-deductible?
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208411320). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center CEO make?
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's highest-compensated officer earns $9 annually. The organization reported $5.3M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's spending goes to programs?
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 55/100 (Fair), Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center is near average for NTEE category S41 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center located?
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and files with the IRS under EIN 208411320. It is classified under NTEE code S41.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center have?
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center 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 $5.3M in total revenue.
What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses for the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center?
Without a detailed breakdown of expenses from the provided data, it's challenging to precisely determine the allocation of funds. The provided data only shows total expenses, not their categorization.
Why does the organization consistently report 0% officer compensation despite significant operational expenses?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is unusual and suggests that executive compensation might be paid by a related entity, or structured in a way that it's not reported as direct officer compensation on the 990, warranting further investigation.
What caused the significant increase in liabilities to $26,305,282 in fiscal year 2023, and how does the organization plan to manage this debt?
The provided data does not specify the cause of the substantial increase in liabilities in 2023. This significant jump, especially when liabilities exceed assets, raises concerns about the organization's financial strategy and debt management.
How does the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center plan to address its consistent operational deficits, where expenses frequently exceed revenue?
The organization has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., $9.47M expenses vs. $6.22M revenue in 2023). The provided data does not detail the organization's strategy to achieve financial sustainability and eliminate these deficits.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's revenue has grown by 476.7%, moving from $1.1M to $6.2M. Total assets increased by 6103.7% over the same period, from $333K to $20.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 789.8%, from $1.1M to $9.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center reported a deficit of $3.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $26.3M in liabilities against $20.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 127.3%), resulting in net assets of $-5,635,957.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6.2M | $9.5M | $20.7M | $26.3M | — | — |
| 2022 | $9.0M | $10.1M | $6.3M | $8.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $8.1M | $9.5M | $5.9M | $7.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $8.9M | $9.8M | $8.6M | $8.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $8.5M | $9.5M | $8.5M | $7.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $9.1M | $10.5M | $9.7M | $7.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $8.6M | $9.8M | $11.7M | $8.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $7.4M | $7.7M | $14.9M | $10.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $6.4M | $5.4M | $7.9M | $2.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $6.2M | $3.6M | $6.0M | $1.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.5M | $3.1M | $3.2M | $1.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $3.9M | $1.9M | $2.8M | $721K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.1M | $1.1M | $333K | $311K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $6.2M, expenses of $9.5M, and assets of $20.7M (revenue -30.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $9.0M, expenses of $10.1M, and assets of $6.3M (revenue +10.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $8.1M, expenses of $9.5M, and assets of $5.9M (revenue -8.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $8.9M, expenses of $9.8M, and assets of $8.6M (revenue +5.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $8.5M, expenses of $9.5M, and assets of $8.5M (revenue -7.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $9.1M, expenses of $10.5M, and assets of $9.7M (revenue +5.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $8.6M, expenses of $9.8M, and assets of $11.7M (revenue +16.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $7.4M, expenses of $7.7M, and assets of $14.9M (revenue +15.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $6.4M, expenses of $5.4M, and assets of $7.9M (revenue +3.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $6.2M, expenses of $3.6M, and assets of $6.0M (revenue +146.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $3.2M (revenue -35.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $2.8M (revenue +259.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $333K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center 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.