A Better Chicago
A Better Chicago is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois, that uses a venture-philanthropy approach to support youth-serving organizations working to create opportunity for young people. It provides grant funding and capacity-building support, with a stated focus on youth from low-income backgrounds.
A Better Chicago at a glance
In short: A Better Chicago gave $3.5M across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $140K), mostly in Illinois. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,500,000
- -9.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- -3.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $140,000
- -5.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $125,000
- Total assets
- $20,736,281
- +28.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (2 of 25, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (84% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to A Better Chicago
- How to Apply
-
A Better Chicago is not currently soliciting applications. Organizations may submit an interest form for rolling review; the stated selection approach includes a multi-step process and assessment of program, leadership, operations, and scale.
- Contact
Mailing address: 200 W Madison St 3Rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 674-7066
Website: https://abetterchicago.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from A Better Chicago
Who A Better Chicago funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Bottom Line ($300K). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
159 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 66 grants of 159 (42%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
A Better Chicago identifies Chicago, Illinois, as the geographic scope of its portfolio program. In 2024, 84% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois; the reported shares were 9% in Massachusetts, 4% in New York, and 4% in Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
Cities
Is A Better Chicago open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 25 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $100K; repeat grants $143K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $125K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.5M (2024) to $5.9M (2020). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $3.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom Line Jamaica Plain, MA | Community Development | $300,000 |
| Juvenile Protective Association Chicago, IL | Community Development | $300,000 |
| One Million Degrees Chicago, IL | Community Development | $250,000 |
| Chicago Scholars Chicago, IL | Community Development | $250,000 |
| Vocel Viewing Our Children as Emerging Leaders Chicago, IL | Community Development | $225,000 |
| National Louis University Chicago, IL | Community Development | $225,000 |
| College Possible Chicago, IL | Community Development | $200,000 |
| Braven Inc Chicago, IL | Community Development | $200,000 |
| Intrinsic Schools Chicago, IL | Community Development | $175,000 |
| Chicago HOPES for Kids Chicago, IL | Community Development | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with A Better Chicago?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,736,281 | $12,430,343 | $7,456,065 | $3,500,000 | 25 | $290,909 |
| 2023 | $16,113,219 | $8,681,211 | $7,645,127 | $3,845,000 | 26 | $245,728 |
| 2022 | $15,380,399 | $5,080,046 | $8,227,773 | $4,892,500 | 29 | $15,711 |
| 2021 | $21,342,718 | $14,727,432 | $8,507,431 | $5,230,000 | 26 | $-2,062 |
| 2020 | $12,306,215 | $7,066,286 | $8,741,746 | $5,930,482 | 53 | $54,479 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
A Better Chicago’s mission is “changing how Chicago fights poverty by investing in bold ideas that create opportunity for our youth.” Its current investment areas include education from early childhood through post-secondary, career pathways, social-emotional development, trauma-informed mental health, and essential needs. It supports nonprofit organizations and initiatives at different stages of development, with a focus on creating opportunities for Black and Latinx youth from low-income backgrounds.
Its 2024 grants included organizations with varied youth-serving missions. For example, One Million Degrees says its mission is to accelerate community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility. Braven says it equips promising college students with skills, networks, confidence, and experience for the transition to economic opportunity. Alternatives says it facilitates personal development, strengthens family relationships, and enhances community well-being through counseling and youth development services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, A Better Chicago reported 25 grants totaling $3.5 million. The itemized grants ranged from $10,000 to $300,000, with a median grant of $125,000. The largest awards included $300,000 each to Bottom Line and Juvenile Protective Association; $250,000 each to One Million Degrees and Chicago Scholars; and $225,000 each to Vocel Viewing Our Children as Emerging Leaders and National Louis University. The listed purposes were community development.
The organization’s 2024 investor report separately states that it invested $6.4 million in organizations across Chicago during 2024 and provided $332,000 in management support for 16 strategic growth projects.
A Better Chicago describes a multi-step selection process and assesses candidates on program, leadership, operations, and scale. Its current grantee-application page says it is not soliciting applications; organizations may submit an interest form, which is reviewed on a rolling basis. The page describes investments in both established programs with a track record and promising early-stage models.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Elizabeth Swanson, CEO; Walter McCloskey, COO; Nataly Barrera, CIO; Marshana Pace, Managing Director; and Chelsea Huszar, Director of Development. The filing also lists William V Krehbiel, John R Keller, Taylor O’Malley, and Timothy Schwertfeger as directors, and Sean Berkowitz as secretary.
A Better Chicago is led by Elizabeth Swanson, CEO on every filing since 2020; 5 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elizabeth Swanson
CEO
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$345K (2020) → $392K (2024)
John Gilligan
Chairman
Director → Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marshana Pace
Managing Director
Director of Investments → Portfolio Director & Growth, 2022
Portfolio Director & Growth → Managing Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$91K (2021) → $137K (2024)
Chelsea Huszar
Director of Development
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$130K (2022) → $135K (2024)
Christopher Keogh
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Beard
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taylor O'Malley
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Schwertfeger
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Schwartz-Ward
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William V Krehbiel
Director
Chairman → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Chern
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janice Jackson
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Raino
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brittany Graunke
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John R Keller
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Walter McCloskey
COO
CFO → COO, 2024
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$77K (2021) → $189K (2024)
Nataly Barrera
CIO
Portfolio Director & Venture → CIO, 2024
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$147K (2023) → $163K (2024)
Sean Berkowitz
Secretary
Treasurer → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Myetie Hamilton
Diretor
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Ginger Ostro (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ricardo Estrada (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Timothy Knowles (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Becky Betts (2021–2023) — Chief Marketing Officer
- Former: Arjun Aggarwal (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Christian Zann (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jack Keller (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Becky Elrad (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Domonique Battle (2020–2021) — Portfolio Director
- Former: Kelly Jones (2020–2021) — Chief External Relations Officer
- Former: Deborah Gillespie (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Doug Scott (2020) — Development Coordinator
- Former: Evangeline Barton Joyce (2020) — Director of Portfolio Impact
- Former: Michael Collins (2020) — Director
- Former: Trisha Rooney (2020) — Director
- Former: William Conway (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $392K, to Elizabeth Swanson (CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about A Better Chicago
How much does A Better Chicago give each year?
A Better Chicago gave $3.5M across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.8M across 26 grants.
What is A Better Chicago's typical grant size?
A Better Chicago's median grant in 2024 was $125,000, and its average grant was $140,000, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from A Better Chicago that year got $100K on average.
Where does A Better Chicago give grants?
A Better Chicago gives mostly in Illinois: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (22 grants).
Does A Better Chicago give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on A Better Chicago's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Development" (25 grants).
Who are A Better Chicago's largest grantees?
A Better Chicago's largest 2024 grantees include Bottom Line ($300,000), Juvenile Protective Association ($300,000) and One Million Degrees ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is A Better Chicago?
A Better Chicago reported $20.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.4M.
What does A Better Chicago fund?
A Better Chicago’s mission is “changing how Chicago fights poverty by investing in bold ideas that create opportunity for our youth.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from A Better Chicago?
A Better Chicago is not currently soliciting applications. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is A Better Chicago's EIN?
A Better Chicago's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-4499625. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 25, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in A Better Chicago's focus areas in our free grants database
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). A Better Chicago funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/a-better-chicago-morg_b26487be80284a3297174c68a19fa32e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_274499625_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{A Better Chicago funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/a-better-chicago-morg_b26487be80284a3297174c68a19fa32e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from A Better Chicago's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
A Better Chicago down — hundreds of funders to go?