Chicago Hope Academy 
The information on this page was last updated 6/25/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Chicago Hope Academy is a Christian life preparatory high school in a welcoming environment that empowers students to achieve their full potential.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Chicago Hope Academy
2189 W. Bowler Street
Chicago, IL 60612
Website: chicagohopeacademy.org
Phone: (312) 491-1600
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 364244054
CEO/President: Ike Muzikowski
Chairman: Matt Gerdes
Board size: 15
Founder: Bob and Tina Muzikowski
Ruling year: 2000
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Transforming the underserved areas of Chicago by building up tomorrow's leaders.
Mission statement
A Christian life preparatory high school in a welcoming environment that empowers students to achieve their full potential.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: K-12 Schools/Academies
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 810 of 1412 | 149 of 180 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 293 of 1412 | 65 of 180 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1024 of 1412 | 143 of 180 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1003 of 1413 | 152 of 180 |
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 10% | 12% | 11% | 13% | 5% | 4% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 3% | 3% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 13% | 58% | 68% | 44% | 52% | 76% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 2% | 7% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 87% | 42% | 32% | 56% | 48% | 24% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 76% | 76% | 67% | 88% | 63% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 82% | 86% | 69% | 142% | 41% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 76% | 62% | 66% | 47% | 125% | 26% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | 18% | 14% | 31% | -42% | 59% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 5% | 3% | 9% | -13% | 32% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 14% | 15% | 15% | 24% | 10% | 30% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.54 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.18 | 0.35 | 0.18 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 3.07 | 2.07 | 2.17 | 2.36 | 2.94 | 2.49 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.79 | 0.38 | 0.41 | 0.42 | 1.04 | 0.46 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 2.79 | 7.32 | 7.09 | 67.77 | 58.02 | 30.90 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.35 | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 3.98 | 26.97 | 25.43 | 28.26 | 11.38 | 25.33 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 29% | 10% | 12% | 16% | 19% | 19% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 10% | 4% | 6% | 11% | 19% | 17% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 119% | 483% | 471% | 473% | 230% | 442% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $2,607,884 | $1,439,023 | $1,315,137 | $3,508,809 | $2,375,871 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $2,540,538 | $1,735,250 | $3,900,456 | $3,344,563 | $10,364,373 |
| Short-term investments | $14,591,140 | $15,091,975 | $10,847,423 | $4,928,646 | $3,309,691 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $19,739,562 | $18,266,248 | $16,063,016 | $11,782,018 | $16,049,935 |
| Long-term investments | $1,407 | $100,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $20,708,072 | $20,611,535 | $21,269,895 | $22,313,008 | $23,364,932 |
| Other long-term assets | $467,975 | $700,750 | $498,654 | $547,195 | $599,812 |
| Total long-term assets | $21,177,454 | $21,412,285 | $21,768,549 | $22,860,203 | $23,964,744 |
| Total assets | $40,917,016 | $39,678,533 | $37,831,565 | $34,642,221 | $40,014,679 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $315,539 | $109,243 | $183,462 | $179,959 | $434,998 |
| Other current liabilities | $2,380,222 | $2,468,066 | $53,575 | $23,100 | $84,427 |
| Total current liabilities | $2,695,761 | $2,577,309 | $237,037 | $203,059 | $519,425 |
| Debt | $1,600,000 | $2,200,000 | $4,300,000 | $6,422,326 | $6,981,548 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $1,500,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $1,600,000 | $2,200,000 | $5,800,000 | $6,422,326 | $6,981,548 |
| Total liabilities | $4,295,761 | $4,777,309 | $6,037,037 | $6,625,385 | $7,500,973 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $35,507,223 | $33,992,377 | $31,441,730 | $27,916,836 | $32,013,706 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,114,032 | $908,847 | $352,798 | $100,000 | $500,000 |
| Net assets | $36,621,255 | $34,901,224 | $31,794,528 | $28,016,836 | $32,513,706 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $5,417,481 | $5,856,988 | $4,318,955 | $4,438,601 | $13,570,207 |
| Program service revenue | $1,560,673 | $1,282,222 | $1,961,247 | $3,042,153 | $1,753,189 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,534,186 | $768,648 | $1,422,074 | $111,008 | $301,873 |
| Other revenue | $783,588 | $712,743 | $2,003,342 | $975,146 | $2,123,104 |
| Total other revenue | $3,878,447 | $2,763,613 | $5,386,663 | $4,128,307 | $4,178,166 |
| Total revenue | $9,295,928 | $8,620,601 | $9,705,618 | $8,566,908 | $17,748,373 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $5,785,130 | $5,654,646 | $4,523,120 | $10,699,349 | $4,633,619 |
| Management and general | $1,157,094 | $1,126,890 | $1,637,262 | $1,266,541 | $2,182,837 |
| Fundraising | $639,884 | $621,808 | $559,246 | $238,601 | $540,905 |
| Total expenses | $7,582,108 | $7,403,344 | $6,719,628 | $12,204,491 | $7,357,361 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,713,820 | $1,217,257 | $2,985,990 | ($3,637,583) | $10,391,012 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $1,713,820 | $1,217,257 | $2,985,990 | ($3,637,583) | $10,391,012 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Patrick Ahern | Financial Controller | $163,193 |
| Joseph Salituro | Athletic Director - Term | $139,411 |
| Isaiah Muzikowski | President and Principal | $132,977 |
| Traci Melcher | Director and Development Manager | $52,729 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2025
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 6/25/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
1995: After re-locating to Chicago from New York, founders Bob and Tina Muzikowski launch a neighborhood Little League program. Participation in the program quickly climbs to the hundreds. As the baseball players begin high school, they enter an overburdened educational system that often lacks the support they need for their future. The Muzikowskis' see this as an opportunity to open a school for students primarily from the South and West Sides to receive a private Christian education in an uplifting environment at a low cost.
2004: A group of Christian businessmen purchase the shuttered St. Callistus School and parish from the Archdiocese of Chicago. Led by Bob and Tina Muzikowski, with the assistance of hundreds of volunteers, future students, and eventually private contractors, Chicago Hope Academy begins a full year of renovation. Notably, 200 volunteers from Aurora Christian High School spend their spring break living on the gym floor by night and executing the demolition plan and chapel stage reconstruction by day.
2005: Chicago Hope Academy launches with 60 freshmen and sophomore students. It soon became clear in 2006 that future enrollments would necessitate additional classrooms and athletic facilities. Construction began on a new wing and continued through the summer.
2015: Hope celebrates their 10th Anniversary with 155 students enrolled.
2019: Hope expands their reach by purchasing a world-class sports facility a 15-minute walk from the school.
2025: Hope celebrates their 20th anniversary with 290 students and the school's first state championship in boys basketball. Chicago Hope Academy continues to expand in the Near West Side community and grows in its mission of being able to serve their community, students and family members.