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Window to the World Communications
Window to the World Communications reported $50.4 million in revenue and $43.4 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $66.92 went to program services, $13.62 to management and general costs and $19.46 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 75.2% of the total. Government grants made up 8.8%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $752,563 (PRESIDENT AND CEO). 49 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 16% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $43MFor context, the median across 876 covered arts, culture & humanities charities: $79.98 programs, $13.89 management, $6.13 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $50M- Contributions & grants (non-government)$66.09 $33M
- Government grants$8.79 $4.5M
- Program service revenue$14.25 $7.2M
- Investment income$10.87 $5.5M
Other revenue was negative: −$214K. The bar shows the positive sources only.
The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 66.9% | 78.5% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 13.6% | 13.6% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 19.5% | 6.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.22 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 75.2% | 57.5% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 8.8% | 1.7% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 14.3% | 20.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $752,563 | $385,706 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.74% | 2.03% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 49 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 23.1 | 36.6 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 57 of 58 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseWttw produces local and national productions, that are broadcast locally for the benefit of individuals living in and around chicagoland. Our productions highlight the city and provide cultural and informative contents. Wttw also produces a nightly news program
Wttw is chicago's pbs member station committed to creating and presenting unique content for television and digital media. We are dedicated to enriching lives, engaging communities, and inspiring exploration through our commitment to diverse perspectives, innovation, and life-long learning
Wfmt is chicago's only classical radio station. We are committed to enriching lives, engaging communities, and inspiring exploration through the lens of classical music. Wfmt showcases local talent and has a focus on diversity within classical music
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT AND CEO Director/trustee, officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $712,749 | $0 | $39,814 | $752,563 |
| EVP & CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Key employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $336,023 | $0 | $36,848 | $372,871 |
| EVP, MARKETING AND DIGITAL Key employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $300,456 | $0 | $42,374 | $342,830 |
| EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Highest compensated employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $187,734 | $0 | $32,753 | $220,487 |
| ENGINEERING MAINTENANCE - EIC Highest compensated employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $157,670 | $0 | $39,101 | $196,771 |
| SR DIRECTOR OF BROADCAST & TECH - PART YEAR Highest compensated employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $158,070 | $0 | $32,292 | $190,362 |
| DIRECTOR OF SALES, WFMT Highest compensated employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $151,859 | $0 | $36,066 | $187,925 |
| NEWS DIRECTOR, WTTW NEWS Highest compensated employee, 40.0 hrs/week | $144,021 | $0 | $41,726 | $185,747 |
49 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Window to the World Communications (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $1.7M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b58 · 57 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aNo
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2Yes
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5225
- Volunteers Part I, line 691
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| High Line Graphic Services Mailing | $474,769 |
| The Envelope Connection Mailing | $339,937 |
| Empist IT Support | $317,198 |
| Donor Development Strategies Canvassing | $312,990 |
| Forest Incentives Sourcing, Fulfilling, Mailing | $239,292 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 30 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
54 private foundations reported grants to Window to the World Communications totaling $2.4M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Window to the World Communications's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Window to the World Communications, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Window to the World Communications spent in FY2025, $66.92 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Los Angeles Opera CompanyLos Angeles, CA · revenue $50M · programs 78.7% · FY2025
- The San Diego Symphony Orchestra AssociationSan Diego, CA · revenue $51M · programs 77.8% · FY2025
- Kaizen Education FoundationPhoenix, AZ · revenue $50M · programs 79.3% · FY2025
- Twin Cities Public TelevisionSaint Paul, MN · revenue $51M · programs 73.4% · FY2025
- National Inventors Hall of FameNorth Canton, OH · revenue $50M · programs 83.0% · 2025
All arts, culture & humanities charities · Largest charities in Illinois
Questions people ask
How much of Window to the World Communications's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Window to the World Communications reported that 66.9% of its $43.4 million in expenses went to program services, 13.6% to management and general and 19.5% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Window to the World Communications pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Window to the World Communications reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $752,563, for the role of PRESIDENT AND CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Window to the World Communications get its money?
Of $50.4 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 75.2% came from contributions and grants (including 8.8% from government grants) and 14.3% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Window to the World Communications a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 36-2246703 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202631109349300103 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202511359349311956 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202441359349304369 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202311329349301696 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202231339349303288 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202131349349306218 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 36-2246703: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.