The Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs of Chicago (ISNS) is a long-standing religious institution that has served the Illinois Muslim community since its founding in 1974. The organization operates as a central hub for spiritual and educational life, managing daily prayers, a full-time school (Al Safa Academy), and a Sunday school. Financially, the charity demonstrates a high commitment to direct service, reporting a 92.5% program expense ratio in its most recent filings. This indicates that all reported spending is directed toward its core mission of religious and community services. While the organization maintains total assets of nearly $11 million, it recently experienced a 10% decline in revenue, dropping from $4.09 million in 2023 to $3.70 million in 2024. Despite this fluctuation, ISNS remains highly efficient in its resource acquisition, spending only $0.01 to raise every $1 in donations. The charity is also a verified zakat-eligible organization, specifically directing funds to the fuqara (poor) and masakin (needy) within the community. Its operations are characterized by extreme financial stability, holding 117.3 months of working capital in working capital, which ensures long-term survival but raises questions about the speed of charitable distribution.
Impact assesses organizational indicators associated with effective programs. Alignment reflects fit with Muslim donor priorities.
Best for donors who value long-term institutional stability and want to support a local community hub with zero-overhead fundraising.
“The Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs (ISNS) explicitly accepts zakat donations, stating, "Donate your ZAKAT to ISNS" and providing instructions to "Mail your zakat donation check to the following address: 3950 Industrial Avenue Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, USA." They also mention a "Zakah drop box in the Masjid" and list "Zakat Services" on their website. Additionally, "Zakath" is a selectable category for online donations. (Source: https://isns.org/services/community-services/zakat/)”