Chicago Cred Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The organization operates as both a direct service provider and a grantmaker focused on reducing gun violence in Chicago. Chicago CRED stands for "Create Real Economic Destiny" and works primarily on the South and West sides of Chicago, engaging individuals most at risk of involvement in gun violence—either as perpetrators or victims.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$34.0M
-27.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.9M
+24.2% YoY
Grant Count
45
+60.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$265K
-22.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Chicago Cred's singular purpose is to achieve a transformative reduction in Chicago gun violence. The organization operates on the belief that individuals most at risk are not the problem—they are the solution.
The organization's work centers on two primary program areas:
Life Stabilization: Provides a holistic approach to reduce gun violence, works in communities most impacted by the crisis, provides resources for strategic violence reduction, and develops policy solutions.
Job Readiness: Provides job skills and other job-readiness training to at-risk young men in Chicago who are out of work and out of school.
Grantmaking
Chicago Cred functions as a grantmaker in addition to its direct service work.
Grant Range
$265,000 (down 22.7% year-over-year)
Average Grant
$265,000 (down 22.7% year-over-year)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Chicago Cred operates on the South and West sides of Chicago, Illinois, focusing on the places where violence is an everyday occurrence.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Summary:
- Total Assets: $34,024,196 (down 27.2% year-over-year)
- Annual Revenue: $26,073,803 (down 54.2% year-over-year)
- Annual Expenses: $36,314,414 (up 8.9% year-over-year)
- Total Liabilities: $17,900,000
- Qualifying Distributions: $37,147,914
Multi-Year Comparison:
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $34,024,196 | $46,759,453 | $20,568,305 |
| Revenue | $26,073,803 | $56,990,213 | $29,665,830 |
| Expenses | $36,314,414 | $33,370,210 | $34,196,858 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $37,147,914 | $32,791,535 | $31,701,447 |
Charitable Expenses (2024):
- Life Stabilization: $29,903,486
- Job Readiness: $2,894,472
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $34,024,196 | $46,759,453 | $20,568,305 |
| Revenue | $26,073,803 | $56,990,213 | $29,665,830 |
| Expenses | $36,314,414 | $33,370,210 | $34,196,858 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $37,147,914 | $32,791,535 | $31,701,447 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $74,068 | $218,804 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
155 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board:
- Arne Duncan, President (60 hours/week, $0 compensation) — Founder, former U.S. Secretary of Education, and former CEO of Chicago Public Schools
- Laurene Powell Jobs, Secretary/Treasurer
- John W Rogers Jr, Director
- Andrew Crown, Director
- Dr Selwyn Rogers, Director
- Robert Hamada, Director
Staff:
- Susan K Lee, Chief of Strategy ($220,000)
- Samantha S Fields, Chief of Philanthropy ($193,000)
- Jennifer L Keeling, Director of Government Relations ($187,000)
- Acasia Wilson Feinberg, Chief of Partnerships ($184,000)
- Jalon R Arthur, Director of Strategy ($182,000)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arne Duncan | President | 60 | — |
| Laurene Powell Jobs | Secretary/Treasurer | 1 | — |
| John W Rogers Jr | Director | 1 | — |
| Andrew Crown | Director | 1 | — |
| Dr Selwyn Rogers | Director | 1 | — |
| Robert Hamada | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Chicago Cred has received federal funding support for its violence prevention work. The organization has also expanded its educational programming, with participants earning high school diplomas through its initiatives.
Feds give Chicago anti-violence programs $4 million in fundingContact Information
Address: Chicago CRED, Inc 300 E. Randolph St. Suite 3850 Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-626-1101
Website: www.chicagocred.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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