Real Clear Foundation
Only null% goes to programs Growing revenue
Real Clear Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Northbrook, Illinois, registered in 1999, with $7,433,300 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it D.
666 Dundee Rd Ste 600, Northbrook, IL, 60062 EIN 52-2128875 Since 1999
Revenue (FY2024)
$7.4M
▼ 44.9% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2024)
$10.4M
Net assets
$4.5M
Employees
—
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
D
—Program efficiency40% of the ratingNo expense breakdown in filings
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. Not scored for Real Clear Foundation— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
DFinancial health25% of the rating5 mo reserves · -40% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Real Clear Foundation: 5 mo reserves · -40% margin earns a D on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
—Governance25% of the ratingNot reported in this filing type
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. Not scored for Real Clear Foundation— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
DTransparency10% of the rating1 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Real Clear Foundation: 1 of 5 disclosure signals earns a D on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Contact & location
- Address
- 666 Dundee Rd Ste 600, Northbrook, IL, 60062
- City
- Northbrook
- State
- Illinois
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Student Services & Aid
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $3.8M (FY2019) to $7.4M (FY2024) across 6 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $1.9MNet assets $4.5M
Operating margin
-39.9%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$6.4M
Total liabilities
$1.9M
Net assets
$4.5M
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,433,300▼44.9% | $10,396,766▲18.7% | $4,534,060▼37.6% | $6,429,602▼27.9% | 990 |
| 2023 | $13,493,125▲59.2% | $8,756,104▼4.4% | $7,269,996▲187% | $8,912,529▲110% | 990 |
| 2022 | $8,476,449▲135% | $9,154,676▲73.9% | $2,532,975▼21.1% | $4,242,053▼14.9% | 990 |
| 2021 | $3,614,001▼32.1% | $5,265,385▲28.6% | $3,209,034▼34.0% | $4,984,484▼25.5% | 990 |
| 2020 | $5,318,894▲41.6% | $4,094,803▲70.1% | $4,860,418▲33.7% | $6,694,887▲84.0% | 990 |
| 2019 | $3,756,043 | $2,406,607▲373017% | $3,636,327▲189985% | $3,638,852▲190117% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $645▲336% | $1,913▼24.8% | $1,913▼24.8% | 990PF |
| 2011 | — | $148 | $2,545 | $2,545 | 990PF |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Grants received · $21.4M total
39 grants to Real Clear Foundation totaling $21.4M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donors Trust Inc | For general operations | 2024 | $4,150,000 |
| Bradley Impact Fund Inc | General operating support. | 2024 | $110,000 |
| Donors Trust Inc | For general operations | 2023 | $3,300,000 |
| Donors Trust Inc | For real clear politics | 2023 | $2,500,000 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Public, societal benefit | 2023 | $301,750 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $299,264 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2023 | $201,000 |
| National Philanthropic Tr | Culture & arts | 2023 | $155,000 |
| Bradley Impact Fund Inc | General operating support. | 2023 | $110,060 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | 2023 | $60,000 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Culture | 2023 | $52,100 |
| Winston-salem Foundation | 1 grant(s) for varying purposes | 2023 | $25,000 |
| Donors Trust Inc | For real clear science | 2023 | $7,000 |
| Donors Trust Inc | For general operations | 2022 | $4,300,000 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Public, societal benefit | 2022 | $352,600 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Real Clear Foundation a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Real Clear Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 52-2128875, based in Northbrook, Illinois. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Real Clear Foundation's EIN?
- Real Clear Foundation's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 52-2128875.
- How much revenue does Real Clear Foundation report?
- Real Clear Foundation reported $7,433,300 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- What financial grade does Real Clear Foundation have?
- CharityIndex grades Real Clear Foundation D, based on financial health (reserves and operating margin).
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Explore more
Data for Real Clear Foundation (EIN 52-2128875) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.