Avenues to Independence
Avenues to Independence empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live the lives they choose through personalized support, advocacy, and community engagement.
Avenues to Independence at a glance
In short: Avenues to Independence gave $873K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $873K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $873,328
- +220.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $873,328
- +220.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $873,328
- Total assets
- $3,528,880
- +23.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Avenues to Independence funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Avenues to Independence Foundation ($873K).
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 1 grant of 3 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Avenues to Independence gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−15%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $273K (2024) to $1.0M (2022). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $873K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Avenues to Independence Foundation Park Ridge, IL | To Support General Operations | $873,328 |
Ready to take the next step with Avenues to Independence?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,528,880 | $10,152,046 | $9,481,998 | $873,328 | 1 | — |
| 2024 | $2,861,491 | $8,770,644 | $7,856,682 | $272,945 | 1 | — |
| 2023 | $1,949,468 | $7,407,024 | $6,869,319 | — | — | — |
| 2022 | $1,105,193 | $7,156,525 | $7,806,497 | $1,029,674 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | $1,564,674 | $5,960,525 | $5,967,559 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $2,206,931 | $5,549,012 | $5,620,220 | — | — | — |
| 2019 | $1,617,013 | $5,186,125 | $5,436,378 | — | — | $517,778 |
About Avenues to Independence
Based on IRS filings
Avenues to Independence is a public charity focused on Employment, based in Park Ridge, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $873K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Avenues to Independence is led by Stephen Kray, President & CEO on every filing since 2024; 2 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stephen Kray
President & CEO
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$92K (2024) → $137K (2025)
Eric Johnson
Chairperson
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allan Bartel
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fred Sasser
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Meyer
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne Doheny
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Buggy
Director
Vice Chair → Chairperson, 2023
Chairperson → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Coyne
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peg O'Herron
Director
Past Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Wilson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Garcea
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Molly Dietlin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Feldman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Krohn
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne Skoronski
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Gaeger
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Holly Sasser
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Kraft
Vice President of Programs
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $117K (2025)
Jim Stonebridge
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dirk Ahlbeck
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacki Kimel
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Collin Sasser (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Patricia Grimes (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Sara McKitrick (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Diana Olivo (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jason Clark (2021–2023) — CEO
- Former: Andrea Goodkin (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jacqueline Kimel (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Jill Liska (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jolene Wise-Silverman (2019–2022) — Chairperson
- Former: Clark Gapen (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Richard Spatafora (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert Healy (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert Okazaki (2019–2021) — CEO Retired
- Former: Cathy McCarthy (2019–2020) — Finance Director
- Former: Jerry Feldman (2019–2020) — Chairperson
- Former: Michael Marous (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $137K, to Stephen Kray (President and CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Avenues to Independence
How much does Avenues to Independence give each year?
Avenues to Independence gave $873K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $273K across 1 grant.
How large is Avenues to Independence?
Avenues to Independence reported $3.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.2M.
What is Avenues to Independence?
Avenues to Independence is a public charity focused on Employment, based in Park Ridge, IL. It holds $3.5M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Avenues to Independence operate?
Avenues to Independence has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Avenues to Independence's EIN?
Avenues to Independence's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6008710. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 18, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
Live grants for the work Avenues to Independence funds
Employment Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Avenues to Independence's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
Curt and Linda Rodin Family Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The foundation supports varied charitable causes, with its largest 2025 grants going to Chicago-area universities and other giving to health, community, and cultural organizations. Its 16 grants ranged from $50 to $1,090,893, with a median of $4,570; grants were concentrated in Illinois, though some listed recipients were in New York. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.0M
Grants
16
Total Given
$2.1M
The Simms Family Foundation
Walworth, WI
Assets
$5.3M
Grants
26
Total Given
$50K
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Avenues to Independence'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.
Avenues to Independence down — hundreds of funders to go?