Founded in 1934, the Metropolitan Planning Council is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of business and civic leaders committed to serving the public interest through the promotion and implementation of sensible Planning and development policies necessary for a world-class chicago region. The Council conducts policy analysis, outreach and advocacy in partnership with public officials and community leaders to improve equity of opportunity and quality of life throughout Metropolitan chicago.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
64¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 500 volunteers and 30 employees.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · People: Part I, lines 5–6

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FY2024 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2024
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2024, 2 tax years back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
2 of 5
filings with a surplus
Average deficit $138K a year · 3% of revenue · last 5 filings
Concern: a surplus in 2 of the last 5 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 5 filings
Spent on programs
64%
of spending
Worth a look: 64% of spending went to programs; under 65%.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$971K
to officers and key staff · 21% of spending
Worth a look: pay to officers and key staff is 21% of spending; over 20%.
Pt VII · Sec A
1 mo
of spending, in cash
Plus $15.6M in investments, Pt X · Ln 11–13
Fine: 1.2 months of spending in cash; 1 to 3.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
1
named funder · $34K
Fine: 1 funder names it on their filings; under 3.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$2.6M
14% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 14% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
38
of 38 voting members
Looks good: 38 of 38 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$5.9M
+41% vs prior year
Spent
$4.7M
To programs
64%
Net assets
$16.4M
By yearFY2020–FY2024
Revenue
$5.9M
FY2024▲ +41%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$5.1M
FY2021$6.3M
FY2022$3.2M
FY2023$4.2M
FY2024$5.9M
Expenses
$4.7M
FY2024▲ +0.7%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$5.4M
FY2021$5.4M
FY2022$5.1M
FY2023$4.7M
FY2024$4.7M
Net assets
$16.4M
FY2024▲ +7%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$17.9M
FY2021$19.8M
FY2022$14.7M
FY2023$15.3M
FY2024$16.4M

From the FY2024 Form 990 · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2024. IRS ruling in Dec 1943.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

64 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 64% · $3.0M Management & general 21% · $987K Fundraising 15% · $695K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

45 people listed on the 990; $971K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation
VP of Programs & Strategic
$159,155Pt VII · Sec A
Chief Operating Officer
$139,478Pt VII · Sec A
Director of Transportation
$136,843Pt VII · Sec A
Senior Director
$125,037Pt VII · Sec A
Director of Research
$118,886Pt VII · Sec A
President & CEO (thru Apr-2024)
$115,210Pt VII · Sec A
Senior Director
$112,657Pt VII · Sec A
President & CEO
$63,462Pt VII · Sec A

Kendra Freeman’s $159K as VP of Programs & Strategic is at the 50th percentile of top reported officer pay among 2832 $1–10M community development nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Marysue Barrett———$595,293$313,900
Darlene O Hightower$115,210$323,392$301,132——
Kendra Freeman$159,155$158,117$166,315$152,432—
Amber Webb————$160,000
Joshua Ellis————$157,000
Laura Reilly—$150,567———
Audrey Wennink$136,843$135,191$134,995$142,625$130,664
Greg Gurley$139,478$139,011———

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

See Metropolitan Planning Council executive salaries →

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Promotes sensible planning and development policies through research, advocacy, and partnerships to foster an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous Chicago region.

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Provided by the organization

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1 program · $3.0M · in their own filed words · FY2024
01

Since 1934, MPC has shaped a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous chicagoland. An independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, MPC serves communities and residents by developing, promoting and implementing solutions for sound regional growth.

$3.0Mprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · funders on record
Grants received · FY2025
Total grants receivedfrom 1 funder$34K

By the numbers

The FY2024 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$5.9M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$4.3M
Investment incomeLn 3$1.6M
Money outPt IX
$4.7M
Ln 25
Programscol B$3.0M
Managementcol C$987K
Fundraisingcol D$695K
Owns and owesPt X
$16.4M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$488K
Total assetsLn 16$19.0M
LiabilitiesLn 26$2.6M
PeoplePt VI, VII
45
listed · VII A
PaidVII A8
Voting boardVI 1a38
IndependentVI 1b38
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$4.3M
Government grantsLn 1e$98K
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$718K
Investment incomeLn 3$1.6M
Gains on assetsLn 7$1.0M
Total revenueLn 12$5.9M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$488K
SavingsLn 2$0
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$488K
InvestmentsLn 11–13$15.6M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$304K
Other assetsLn 15$1.8M
Total assetsLn 16$19.0M
LiabilitiesLn 26$2.6M
Net assetsLn 32$16.4M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 530
VolunteersI 6500
Fiscal year endsHeaderDecember
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY24End FY24
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$377K$488K
InvestmentsLn 11–13$14.2M$15.6M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$360K$304K
Total assetsLn 16$17.9M$19.0M
LiabilitiesLn 26$2.6M$2.6M
Net assetsLn 32$15.3M$16.4M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$428K$277K$93K$58K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$2.0M$1.3M$430K$267K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$64K$42K$14K$9K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$312K$204K$66K$41K
Payroll taxesLn 10$207K$135K$44K$28K
Accounting feesLn 11c$45K$29K$7K$10K
Investment management feesLn 11f$74K$74K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$737K$467K$113K$157K
Office expensesLn 13$296K$187K$22K$88K
OccupancyLn 16$350K$248K$85K$17K
TravelLn 17$19K$19K
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$41K$33K$8K
InterestLn 20$14K$9K$3K$2K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$85K$54K$19K$12K
InsuranceLn 23$30K$19K$6K$4K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$31K$24K$4K$3K
Total functional expensesLn 25$4.7M$3.0M$987K$695K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2024 Latest Viewing $5.9M$4.7M$1.2M$16.4M 990 PDF
FY2023 $4.2M$4.7M−$505K$15.3M 990 PDF
FY2022 $3.2M$5.1M−$1.9M$14.7M 990 PDF
FY2021 $6.3M$5.4M$866K$19.8M 990 PDF
FY2020 $5.1M$5.4M−$320K$17.9M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support J · Pay O · Explanations
See the full FY2024 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $5,888,542 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $3,502,621$4,334,609
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $0$0
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $715,358$1,578,914
I-11 Other revenuePrior year −$42,220−$24,981
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $4,175,759$5,888,542
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $0$0
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $3,241,996$2,991,402
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $1,438,309$1,720,471
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $4,680,305$4,711,873
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year −$504,546$1,176,669
Part VI · Governance 38 of 38 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body38
VI-1b Independent voting members38
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $5,888,542 across 8 lines filed
VIII-1c Fundraising events$717,892
VIII-1e Government grants$97,603
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$3,519,114
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$4,334,609
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $570,605$570,605
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsExcluded from tax $1,008,309$1,008,309
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$24,981−$24,981
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $0 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $1,553,933$5,888,542
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $4,711,873 across 16 lines filed
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $277,313 · Management $92,995 · Fundraising $57,810$428,118
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $1,282,587 · Management $430,106 · Fundraising $267,373$1,980,066
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $41,899 · Management $13,594 · Fundraising $8,504$63,997
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $204,444 · Management $66,332 · Fundraising $41,496$312,272
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $135,489 · Management $43,960 · Fundraising $27,500$206,949
IX-11c Accounting feesPrograms $28,518 · Management $6,907 · Fundraising $9,600$45,025
IX-11f Investment management feesManagement $73,745$73,745
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $466,768 · Management $113,044 · Fundraising $157,131$736,943
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $187,001 · Management $21,599 · Fundraising $87,669$296,269
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $247,659 · Management $84,884 · Fundraising $17,170$349,713
IX-17 TravelPrograms $18,784$18,784
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $33,338 · Management $8,009$41,347
IX-20 InterestPrograms $8,878 · Management $3,053 · Fundraising $1,942$13,873
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $54,139 · Management $18,610 · Fundraising $11,843$84,592
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $18,912 · Management $6,497 · Fundraising $4,137$29,546
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $24,177 · Management $3,521 · Fundraising $2,936$30,634
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $3,029,906 · Management $986,856 · Fundraising $695,111$4,711,873
Part X · Balance sheet $19,009,402 assets, 15 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $191,910$487,574
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $185,001$0
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $830,987$851,644
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $44,880$46,533
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $360,195$303,596
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $14,210,638$15,569,491
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $2,073,364$1,750,564
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $17,896,975$19,009,402
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $381,343$236,571
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $2,258,232$2,390,079
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $2,639,575$2,626,650
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $8,711,921$8,656,959
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $6,545,479$7,725,793
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $15,257,400$16,382,752
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $17,896,975$19,009,402
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $16,382,752 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$5,888,542
XI-2 Total expenses$4,711,873
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$1,176,669
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$15,257,400
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments−$51,317
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$0
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$16,382,752

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2024 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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