# Arts of Life

Arts education nonprofit in Chicago, Illinois 60612. EIN 36-4284473. Data as of November 8, 2026.

Page: https://backpr.com/find/nonprofit/364284473-arts-of-life

## Mission (the organization's own words)

> The organization's mission advances the creative arts community by providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership.

Source: Form 990, year ending Jun 2025: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364284473/202601189349301215/full

## IRS facts

- Type: Arts education (IRS activity code A250)
- Tax status: 501(c)(3), contributions deductible, recognized 2000
- Source: IRS Business Master File, posted October 13, 2026: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-business-master-file-extract-eo-bmf

## Finances (IRS Form 990 e-file data)

| Year ending | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Employees | Volunteers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2025 | $2,309,351 | $2,457,628 | $927,139 | $512,074 | 31 | 12 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364284473/202601189349301215/full) |
| Jun 2023 | $1,746,616 | $1,737,602 | $873,963 | $823,390 | 30 | 0 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364284473/202421369349309067/full) |
| Jun 2021 | $1,232,153 | $970,445 | $595,747 | $547,964 | 20 | 50 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364284473/202200459349300710/full) |

Expense split, year ending Jun 2025: programs $1,875,177 (76%), management $187,839 (8%), fundraising $394,612 (16%).

Revenue sources, year ending Jun 2025: gifts and grants $1,045,805, program fees $1,190,196, investment income $1,836.

Growth label: **Growing** (about +17% a year, Jun 2021 to Jun 2025). Growth label: we compare total revenue on the oldest and the newest return shown above. Growing means revenue rose by more than 10% a year on average, Shrinking means it fell by more than 10% a year, and Steady means a change between -10% and +10% a year. The rate is the compounded yearly average between the two returns, so it hides ups and downs in between (see the table). We only label groups with returns at least a year apart and at least $5,000 of revenue on the oldest one. This is our own calculation, not an IRS rating or a judgment of quality.

## How it compares

- Revenue rank: 3 of 106 arts education nonprofits in Chicago.
- Revenue $2,309,351 is in the top 10% of 74 arts education nonprofits in Illinois; median $194,994.
- Source: IRS Business Master File, posted October 13, 2026; BackPR analysis.

## Local context

- Cook County, Illinois: about 1,053,196 children under 18 (U.S. Census Bureau, July 1, 2024): https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2024/counties/asrh/cc-est2024-agesex-all.csv
- 2,288 youth and community nonprofits in this directory in the county: 2.2 per 1,000 children.
- Licensed programs in Chicago: 780 licensed child care centers: https://backpr.com/find/illinois/chicago
- Illinois rules: https://backpr.com/resources/states/illinois

## Questions

**What is Arts of Life's EIN?**

Arts of Life's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4284473. It is the nine-digit number the IRS uses to identify the organization. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File posted October 13, 2026.

**Is Arts of Life a nonprofit?**

Yes. The IRS lists Arts of Life in Chicago, Illinois as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), recognized since 2000. This is from the IRS Business Master File posted October 13, 2026. Status can change, so check its current status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search before you donate.

**Are donations to Arts of Life tax-deductible?**

Yes, the IRS lists gifts to Arts of Life as tax-deductible (IRS Business Master File posted October 13, 2026). How much you can deduct depends on your own taxes, and this is not tax advice. Check its current status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search before you donate.

**What does Arts of Life do?**

In its own words on its Form 990 for the year ending Jun 2025: "The organization's mission advances the creative arts community by providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership." The IRS classifies it as: Arts education.

**How much money does Arts of Life take in?**

For the year ending Jun 2025, Arts of Life reported total revenue of $2,309,351 and total expenses of $2,457,628 on its Form 990 (IRS Form 990 e-file data).

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Data as of November 8, 2026. Sources: IRS Business Master File, IRS Form 990 series e-file data, U.S. Census Bureau. No officer or staff names are published.