Avenues To Independence Building | avenuestoindependence.org
Avenues To Independence Building | avenuestoindependence.org
The listed appropriations included grants of $70,000 and $50,000, along with two additional grants totaling $75,000, all designated for programs or services funded by the State of Illinois.
These appropriations represent state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.
Founded in 1953, Avenues To Independence states that its mission is: “Avenues to Independence empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live the lives they choose through personalized support, advocacy and community engagement.”
You can learn more about the organization at its website.
In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $7,407,020 in total revenue. Of that, $4,219,300 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 57% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $5,892,040 in contributions overall. It also reported $76,859 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $707,155 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Avenues To Independence had $1,105,190 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $1,949,470, indicating a significant 76.4% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Avenues To Independence increased in the last year. The group received $3,421,040 in government grants in 2023, compared to $4,219,300 in 2024—an increase of 23.3% year-over-year.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Avenues To Independence is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.
According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.
| Fiscal Year | Total Grants/Contracts | Total Taxpayer $$ |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | $195,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Allan R Bartel | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Amy E Bergren | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Collin Sasser | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Diana Olivo | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Dirk T Ahlbeck | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Eric T Johnson | Vice Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Fred Sasser | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Fred Sasser | Immediate Past Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Glen E Amundsen | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jacki Kimel | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | James William Stonebridge | Director |
| 2024-2024 | James Meyer | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jason Clark | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jason Clark | Ceo (Term Sept-2022) |
| 2024-2024 | Jeanne Doheny | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Joanne Kraft | Vice President Of Programs |
| 2024-2024 | Joseph D Keenan Iii | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Linda Buggy | Chairperson |
| 2024-2024 | Linda Buggy | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Matthew T Coyne | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Molly Dietlin | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Patricia Grimes | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Paul C Carlisle | President |
| 2024-2024 | Peg O'Herron | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Robert Washlow | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Sara Mckitrick | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Stephen Kray | Ceo |
| 2024-2024 | Steven C Wilson | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Susan P Feldman | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Thomas H Garcea | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Anne Ehrlich | Vice President And Development | - |
| 2024 | Chesenia M Aria | President | - |
| 2024 | Cole Murillo | Public Relations Manager | - |
| 2024 | Elaina Lyn Kray | Case Manager And Hbs Facilitator | - |
| 2024 | Jennifer Nicole Borowczak | Vocational Specialist | - |
| 2024 | Jon C Kraft | Director | - |
| 2024 | Joyce Cravens | Rule 116 Registered Nurse | - |
| 2024 | Lavern G Mitchell | Accounting Department | - |
| 2024 | Michele D Goodfellow | Dsp | - |
| 2024 | Natalie D Chapman | Direct Support Professional | - |
| 2024 | Tiffany Ann Carson | Dsp | - |
| 2017 | Jessica Graves Szewczyk | Community Support Specialist | - |
| 2017 | Rebecca Smoth | - | |
| 2016 | Ben Johnson | Maintenence | - |
| 2015 | Kellie Nicole Petty | Vocational Specialist | - |
| 2015 | Ryan Cole Reeves | Warehouse Assistant | - |
| 2014 | John Kelly | Cashier | - |
| 2014 | Nicole M Herdegen | Community Support Specialist | - |
| 2013 | Sandy H Wang | Volunteer | - |
| 2012 | Michael Francis Bulfer | Chicago Board- Volunteer | - |
| 2011 | Mary V Nails | - | |
| 2010 | Emily W Alanis | Development Intern | - |
| 2009 | Benjamin Q Joseph | Recycling Ave Internship | - |
| 2008 | Lynda R Landgraf | - | |
| 2008 | Necole R Mills | - | |
| 2008 | Vernita A Bohanon | Customer Support Specialist | - |
| 2007 | Fred Littell | - | |
| 2006 | Lindsay N Baran | Qidp And Case Manager | - |
| 2004 | Sylvia Martinez | - | |
| 2003 | Dinorah Solis | - | |
| 2001 | Sarah Karbbar | - | |
| 1994 | Calvin Keyes | Employment Specialist | - |
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