Grow Your Own Illinois
Grow Your Own Illinois shows consistent revenue growth and efficient spending with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 208324406 · Chicago, IL · NTEE: B90 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $6.9M |
| Total Expenses | $3.3M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $936K |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is Grow Your Own Illinois Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Grow Your Own Illinois directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Grow Your Own Illinois
Grow Your Own Illinois (EIN: 208324406) is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, IL, classified under NTEE code B90. The organization reported total revenue of $6.9M and total assets of $1.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Grow Your Own Illinois's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Grow Your Own Illinois is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 18.0%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.4M |
| Total Expenses | $3.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$82K |
| Total Assets | $1.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $184K |
| Net Assets | $936K |
| Operating Margin | 2.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 16.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 4.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Grow Your Own Illinois reported a surplus of $82K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 4.0 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 16.4% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2011–2023), Grow Your Own Illinois's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.0%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -8.8% | -7.6% | +12.9% |
| 2022 | +28.3% | +36.3% | -36.4% |
| 2020 | +147.9% | +144.8% | +810.7% |
| 2019 | +60.1% | +43.0% | -2.4% |
| 2018 | +201.9% | +232.2% | +72.1% |
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 Grow Your Own Illinois with a Mission Score of 90 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Grow Your Own Illinois allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 $82K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 16.4%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Grow Your Own Illinois consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or benefits are paid to officers, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and revenue, and suggests a strong volunteer-driven leadership or that compensation is reported under other categories.
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 Grow Your Own Illinois's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low or zero reported officer compensation may indicate compensation is reported in other categories or a reliance on unpaid leadership, which could pose sustainability questions for an organization of this size.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Grow Your Own Illinois:
- Consistent revenue growth over a decade, from $412,527 in 201312 to $3,410,743 in 202306.
- Efficient spending with expenses closely matching revenue (e.g., $3,328,449 expenses vs. $3,410,743 revenue in 202306).
- Strong asset growth, increasing from $40,240 in 201312 to $1,120,232 in 202306.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating good financial management.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting high transparency or volunteer leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions about Grow Your Own Illinois
Is Grow Your Own Illinois a legitimate charity?
Grow Your Own Illinois (EIN: 208324406) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Illinois. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 90/100. It has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $6.9M. 1 red flag identified. 5 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Grow Your Own Illinois spend its money?
Grow Your Own Illinois directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Grow Your Own Illinois tax-deductible?
Grow Your Own Illinois is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208324406). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Grow Your Own Illinois's spending goes to programs?
Grow Your Own Illinois directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Grow Your Own Illinois compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), Grow Your Own Illinois is above average for NTEE category B90 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Grow Your Own Illinois located?
Grow Your Own Illinois is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and files with the IRS under EIN 208324406. It is classified under NTEE code B90.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Grow Your Own Illinois have?
Grow Your Own Illinois has 12 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 $6.9M in total revenue.
Is Grow Your Own Illinois a good charity?
Based on the available financial data, Grow Your Own Illinois appears to be a good charity. It demonstrates strong financial growth, efficient spending with expenses closely matching revenue, and a notable commitment to transparency by reporting 0% officer compensation across all filings. Their asset growth also indicates increasing capacity.
How has Grow Your Own Illinois's revenue changed over time?
Grow Your Own Illinois has experienced significant revenue growth, increasing from $412,527 in 201312 to $3,410,743 in 202306, representing an almost eight-fold increase over a decade.
What is the organization's financial stability?
The organization shows good financial stability. Assets have grown consistently to $1,120,232 in 202306, while liabilities remain relatively low at $184,053 for the same period, indicating a healthy balance sheet.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Grow Your Own Illinois showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Grow Your Own Illinois's revenue has grown by 627%, moving from $469K to $3.4M. Total assets increased by 925.5% over the same period, from $109K to $1.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 627.5%, from $458K to $3.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Grow Your Own Illinois reported a surplus of $82K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $184K in liabilities against $1.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 16.4%), resulting in net assets of $936K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.4M | $3.3M | $1.1M | $184K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $3.7M | $3.6M | $992K | $138K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.9M | $2.6M | $1.6M | $1.1M | — | — |
| 2019 | $1.2M | $1.1M | $171K | $25K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $734K | $755K | $175K | $124K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $243K | $227K | $102K | $30K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $172K | $189K | $64K | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $143K | $137K | $79K | $6K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $369K | $335K | $73K | $6K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $413K | $396K | $40K | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $304K | $388K | $26K | $9K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $469K | $458K | $109K | $8K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.4M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -8.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.6M, and assets of $992K (revenue +28.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +147.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $171K (revenue +60.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $734K, expenses of $755K, and assets of $175K (revenue +201.9% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $243K, expenses of $227K, and assets of $102K (revenue +41.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $172K, expenses of $189K, and assets of $64K (revenue +20.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $143K, expenses of $137K, and assets of $79K (revenue -61.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $369K, expenses of $335K, and assets of $73K (revenue -10.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $413K, expenses of $396K, and assets of $40K (revenue +35.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $304K, expenses of $388K, and assets of $26K (revenue -35.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $469K, expenses of $458K, and assets of $109K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Grow Your Own Illinois:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Grow Your Own Illinois 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.