The Ark
Only null% goes to programs Strong reserves
The Ark is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Chicago, Illinois, registered in 1972, with $14,232,052 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it B.
6450 N California Ave, Chicago, IL, 60645 EIN 23-7164967 Since 1972
Revenue (FY2024)
$14.2M
▲ 27.0% vs prior year
Human Services median: $293K
Expenses (FY2024)
$12.0M
Net assets
$25.7M
Employees
—
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
B
★★★★
Rated on 2 of 4 criteria — the rest aren't reported in this filing type.
Held down by its weakest criterion — a strong score on one criterion can't hide a weak one.
How the rating works →—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 The Ark— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating26 mo reserves · +16% 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 The Ark: 26 mo reserves · +16% margin earns a A 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 The Ark— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
CTransparency10% of the rating2 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 The Ark: 2 of 5 disclosure signals earns a C on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Contact & location
- Address
- 6450 N California Ave, Chicago, IL, 60645
- City
- Chicago
- State
- Illinois
- Category
- Human Services
- Subcategory
- Human Service Organizations
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $6.0M (FY2013) to $14.2M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $1.7MNet assets $25.7M
Operating margin
15.6%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$27.4M
Total liabilities
$1.7M
Net assets
$25.7M
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14,232,052▲27.0% | $12,012,769▲10.6% | $25,692,307▲10.5% | $27,401,887▲3.2% | 990 |
| 2023 | $11,209,938▼2.1% | $10,864,021▲11.3% | $23,261,102▲2.3% | $26,562,245▲2.2% | 990 |
| 2022 | $11,444,894▼30.5% | $9,757,962▲7.5% | $22,742,797▲9.4% | $25,990,941▲20.6% | 990 |
| 2021 | $16,472,945▲64.8% | $9,073,244▲9.4% | $20,782,005▲37.3% | $21,545,028▲37.5% | 990 |
| 2020 | $9,993,897▼0.7% | $8,291,218▲15.4% | $15,132,526▲21.9% | $15,671,677▲14.4% | 990 |
| 2019 | $10,061,669▲6.9% | $7,181,680▲5.2% | $12,414,821▲28.0% | $13,699,419▲35.6% | 990 |
| 2018 | $9,416,534▲21.0% | $6,824,382▲2.0% | $9,697,972▲40.7% | $10,104,987▲38.6% | 990 |
| 2017 | $7,782,937▲37.4% | $6,690,970▲2.9% | $6,894,362▲13.4% | $7,290,389▲14.5% | 990 |
| 2016 | $5,664,375▼11.4% | $6,505,527▲5.4% | $6,077,170▼7.8% | $6,365,398▼7.2% | 990 |
| 2015 | $6,389,704▲15.6% | $6,170,169▲6.4% | $6,590,731▲3.1% | $6,858,033▲3.9% | 990 |
| 2014 | $5,525,459▼7.2% | $5,799,462▲4.9% | $6,390,841▼9.2% | $6,603,010▼8.7% | 990 |
| 2013 | $5,951,757 | $5,528,416▲6.7% | $7,036,113▲12.5% | $7,232,947▲10.9% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $5,180,627▲12.1% | $6,255,516▲3.8% | $6,524,125▲4.3% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $4,620,170 | $6,023,998 | $6,254,552 | 990 |
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 · $44.3M total
135 grants to The Ark totaling $44.3M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Endowment Foundation | Human service | 2024 | $83,850 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Distribute to the hungry | 2024 | $30,856 |
| The Albertsons Companies Foundation | Hunger | 2024 | $20,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $14,965 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $12,830 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago | Jewish federation of metropolitan chicago grants - operating support | 2023 | $959,431 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $395,937 |
| Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago | General operations | 2023 | $333,999 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago | Grants from donor advised funds- operating support | 2023 | $288,988 |
| Americares Foundation Inc | Ongoing | 2023 | $215,930 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Human services | 2023 | $157,772 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2023 | $55,590 |
| National Philanthropic Tr | Public, societal benefit | 2023 | $27,100 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | 2023 | $26,504 |
| Crown Family Foundation | North/northwest suburban ark food pantry | 2023 | $25,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is The Ark a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. The Ark is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 23-7164967, based in Chicago, Illinois. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is The Ark's EIN?
- The Ark's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 23-7164967.
- How much revenue does The Ark report?
- The Ark reported $14,232,052 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- What financial grade does The Ark have?
- CharityIndex grades The Ark B, based on financial health (reserves and operating margin).
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Data for The Ark (EIN 23-7164967) 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.