Spark Ventures

Analysis

Spark Ventures is a registered charity in United States, based in Chicago, IL. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in August 2007, 19 years ago. Its declared purposes cover international, foreign affairs and national security, which this site groups under overseas aid and international. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2024, Spark Ventures reported income of $934k and spending of $995k, spending 107% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2020 to June 2024, income grew from $720k to $934k (+30%), an average of +6.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2024, when income rose by 30%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 10,317 United States charities whose main cause is overseas aid and international and that reported income, Spark Ventures sits at the 80th percentile: it is larger than about 80% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 78th percentile, and in the 78th percentile within IL. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Aldea Advancing Local Development Thur Empowerment and Action Inc ($933k), One Purse Inc ($934k) and Hands Along the Nile Development Services Inc ($932k).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2024, revenue came from contributions and grants 102% and program service revenue 8.5% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $324k (33% of expenses). At year end it held assets of $472k against liabilities of $128k, net assets of $344k. It reported 3 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.