Caris Pregnancy Counseling and Resources

What it reported doing in 2025

Licensed (lcsw, lsw, lcpc, lpc), grace-filled counselingour master's-level counselors provide professional mental health support for women and families navigating the complex emotions surrounding an unplanned pregnancy. We offer:- individual counseling: a safe, confidential space for women to process their pregnancy journey, relationship challenges, and future plans with professional, licensed support.- couples counseling: helping partners navigate the complexities of an unplanned pregnancy, strengthening communication, and fostering shared decision-making.(continued on schedule o)- post-abortion healing and recovery: compassionate counseling for women who have experienced an abortion, providing emotional support, healing, and plans for the future.- adoption support and decision counseling: informing women and couples of a "third option" through the adoption process with unbiased information, emotional support, and space to explore this option without pressure.- (clinical) group counseling and connection groups: connecting women with others who share similar experiences, offering encouragement, building self-esteem, and long-term resilience in a judgment-free environment.the c5 program (from conception to age 5)this comprehensive program is designed to journey with the woman and child from conception to age five (c5), and includes: connection groups, essentials boutique, 3:17 partnership, and community resources. This niche program is a long-term, holistic support system that fosters dignity, confidence, and community, equipping teens and women who decide to carry with encouragement and resources she and her child needs to thrive. This journey also includes celebrations like baby showers, important milestones like birthdays, and shared meals, reinforcing that no woman should walk this path alone.this includes three phases of (clinical) group counseling support:- ignite (pregnancy to birth): providing prenatal education, birth preparation, and emotional support to equip women for a healthy pregnancy and confident delivery.- evolve (birth to two years): supporting mothers through the critical early years with parenting classes, developmental guidance, and community connections to help them build a strong foundation.- thrive (ages three to five): empowering families with early childhood development tools, parenting support, and resources to ensure long-term stability and a flourishing future.essentials for mothers and babiesmaterial needs should never be a barrier when deciding to parent. Caris provides tangible support to ensure that every expecting and/or new mother has what she needs to care for her child with dignity and confidence. This includes:- the essentials boutique: offering diapers, baby clothes, hygiene items, and household necessities at no cost to mothers or families.- the 3:17 partnership: connecting women with churches, donors, and community partners to provide essential, larger items not found in the essentials boutique, such as cribs, car seats, double strollers, and groceries ensuring that no mother has to go without the necessities to care for her child.- community connection: building long-term support networks by linking women with mentors, churches, and support groups that provide ongoing encouragement, guidance, and a sense of belonging beyond pregnancy. The guiding light initiativemany teens across the chicago area lack non-judgmental professional guidance in accessing accurate information and essential resources when facing an unplanned pregnancy. The guiding light initiative mobilizes the caris outreach team into the heart of these communities, offering virtual (telehealth) counseling and tangible resources (i.e., diapers, essential items, etc.). Professional pregnancy counseling ensures that teens can connect with a licensed counselor through text-based appointments and virtual support, meeting today's youth virtual demand in real time. (in-person counseling is also an option for youth who need a more

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 87.4%; rating input score 87
• Program expense ratio: 63.9%; rating input score 64
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.8 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 80%; rating input score 80; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -36.6%; rating input score 3; 3rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.19; rating input score 48; 48th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 17.2%; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -5.6% per year; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -5.4% per year; rating input score 0; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -3.6% per year; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings