Business Leadership Council
The mission of the Business Leadership Council is to advocate to chicagoland corporations to conduct business with african-American owned businesses.
Key facts about Business Leadership Council
In short: Business Leadership Council reported $2K in grants paid in 2024 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 27-5006375
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Grants paid (2024)
- $2,010 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- Total assets
- $327,705
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$328K
+71.6% YoY
Grants Paid (reported total)
$2K
-86.2% YoY
Revenue
$569K
+27.8% YoY
Net Investment Income
$2
-50.0% YoY
About Business Leadership Council
Based on IRS filings
Business Leadership Council is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $328K in total assets. In 2024, it reported $2K in grants paid as a total on its IRS filing, without an itemized list. Net investment income was $2.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with Business Leadership Council?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2024) to $25K (2021). In 2024 it reported $2K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 2 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2024.
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $327,705 | $190,955 | $208,822 |
| Revenue | $569,002 | $445,387 | $432,760 |
| Expenses | $432,251 | $462,345 | $545,641 |
| Net Investment Income | $2 | $4 | $10 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Business Leadership Council is led by Keiana Barrett, CEO on the 2024 filing; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Keiana Barrett
CEO
New on the 2024 filing
45 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arielle Johnson
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$175K (2024)
Charles Smith
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Glenn Charles
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Blackwell
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Davis
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Washington
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Clark
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kalia Coleman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Otto Nichols
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Felicia Rauls
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melody L. Spann Cooper
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
JOHN ROGERS JR Jr.
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: James Reynolds (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: John Hooker (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: John Rogers (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: JOHN ROGERS Jr. (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Montel L. Gayles (2022–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Avis L. Sampson (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Karen Riley (2020) — Executive 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 $175K, to Arielle Johnson (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Business Leadership Council
How much does Business Leadership Council give each year?
Business Leadership Council reported $2K in grants paid in 2024 on its 2024 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2023 it reported $15K in grants paid.
How large is Business Leadership Council?
Business Leadership Council reported $328K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $569K.
What is Business Leadership Council?
Business Leadership Council is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $328K in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Business Leadership Council operate?
Business Leadership Council has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Business Leadership Council's EIN?
Business Leadership Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-5006375. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching Business Leadership Council by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Business Leadership Council's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Chicago, IL
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funds nonprofit work on basic needs and community-led efforts, including healthcare, housing, food assistance, early learning, safety, legal services, and workforce development across greater Chicago and the surrounding region. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,002 to $2,038,325, with a median of $25,000; the current Impact Grants cycle is closed to new applicants and limited to current partners, and the BridgeBuilders application is also closed.
Assets
$48.8M
Grants
331
Total Given
$22.8M
Robert R McCormick Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Robert R. McCormick Foundation funds education, community development and economic opportunity, journalism and government accountability, and support for service members, veterans, and their families. It focuses community investments on Chicago’s South and West Sides, especially Englewood and Little Village, while also supporting initiatives across the region; its 2024 median grant was $50,000.
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
255
Total Given
$106.1M
Donley Foundation-Ud Dtd 12-8-86
York, PA
The foundation’s 2024 grants supported charitable organizations, including educational institutions and community foundations, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $2,043,100 and a median of $150,000. Grants went to recipients in several states, especially Illinois and Pennsylvania; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds only preselected organizations.
Assets
—
Grants
107
Total Given
$28.1M
The Seabury Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Seabury Foundation primarily funds education-related work, including academic support, arts, lifelong learning, environmental sustainability, and wellness, through grants typically around $10,000 (2024 awards ranged from $1,000 to $32,000). Community grants serve eligible nonprofits based in Chicago and Benzie County, Michigan; family grants may support invited organizations elsewhere. The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests; family grant applicants need a family sponsor’s invitation.
Assets
$23.8M
Grants
70
Total Given
$993K
A Better Chicago
Chicago, IL
A Better Chicago funds and provides capacity-building support to nonprofit organizations and initiatives that expand opportunity for Chicago youth, especially Black and Latinx youth from low-income backgrounds, across education, career pathways, mental health, and essential needs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $300,000, with a median of $125,000. It is not currently soliciting applications, but organizations may submit an interest form for rolling review.
Assets
$20.7M
Grants
25
Total Given
$3.5M
Michael Reese Health Trust
Chicago, IL
Michael Reese Health Trust supports nonprofits and initiatives advancing health equity in Chicago and the wider region, including work on domestic violence, homelessness, the health workforce, Jewish community needs, and reproductive and sexual healthcare in Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $11,425 to $548,894, with a median of $125,000. It is not accepting new funding applications, though it welcomes conversations; the Prairie State Access Fund is listed as open.
Assets
$162.9M
Grants
63
Total Given
$10.0M
Austin Coming Together
Chicago, IL
To increase the collective impact of our member organization on improving education economic development outcomes within the Austin Community.
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
7
Total Given
$303K
Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation
Oak Park, IL
The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation funds nonprofits addressing community needs, with current Community Grants focused on youth and young adult mental and behavioral health; grants can support general operations or specific programs and projects. Community Grants are up to $20,000 per year, and the Foundation serves Oak Park, River Forest, and surrounding communities in western Cook County, Illinois.
Assets
$61.0M
Grants
73
Total Given
$2.6M
Chicago Foundation for Women
Chicago, IL
Chicago Foundation for Women funds local organizations advancing equity for women, girls, and gender-expansive people, including work on economic security, reproductive justice, freedom from violence, and health and wellness. Recent awards ranged from $1,000 to $147,000, with a median of $15,000, and its focus is the greater Chicago area. The stated Rapid Response Fund application period is closed; no process for other grant requests is specified.
Assets
$26.0M
Grants
149
Total Given
$3.1M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but 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
—
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans services, disaster relief, and community projects, primarily through Elks Lodges and state associations in communities across the United States where Elks live and work. Its 2025 grants had a median of $8,500, though amounts varied widely; the listed Beacon and Freedom Grants are limited to Elks Lodges. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
More Funders in Illinois
Business Leadership Council down — hundreds of funders to go?