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.
Key facts about Chicago Cred Inc
- EIN
- 81-3130448
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $11,944,237
- Grants made (2024)
- 45
- Average grant
- $265,427
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (19 of 45, 2024)
- Total assets
- $34,024,196
- Primary geography
- Illinois (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Chicago Cred Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Chicago Cred Inc's 45 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (99%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (38 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Chicago Cred Inc open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 19 of 45 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $425K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $75K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
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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)
Ready to take the next step with Chicago Cred Inc?
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
Share of all 45 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
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 | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include The Chicago Community Foundation ($3,800,000), Youth Peace Center ($1,523,877), Metropolitan Family Services ($1,436,008).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Chicago Community Foundation Chicago, IL | General Support | $3,800,000 |
| Youth Peace Center Chicago, IL | General Support | $1,523,877 |
| Metropolitan Family Services Chicago, IL | General Support | $1,436,008 |
| New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church Chicago, IL | General Support | $813,091 |
| Target Area Devcorp Chicago, IL | General Support | $583,765 |
| Inner City Muslim Action Network Chicago, IL | General Support | $500,000 |
| Institute For Non-Violence Chicago Chicago, IL | General Support | $483,000 |
| Alliance Of Local Service Organizations Chicago, IL | General Support | $376,688 |
| Black Men United Chicago, IL | General Support | $347,549 |
| Together Chicago Chicago, IL | General Support | $250,482 |
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 2021 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Chicago Cred Inc fund?
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…
How do I apply for a grant from Chicago Cred Inc?
Chicago Cred functions as a grantmaker in addition to its direct service work. **Grant Activity (2024):** • Total annual giving: $11.9 million (up 24.2% year-over-year) • Number of grants: 45 (up 60.7% year-over-year) • Average grant size: $265,000 (down 22.7% year-over-year) • Largest grant: $3.8 million to Chicago Community Foundation **Recent Grant Recipients (2024):** • Chicago Community Foundation: $3,800,000 • Youth Peace Center of Roseland: $1,523,877 • Metropolitan Family Services: $1,4…
Where does Chicago Cred Inc make grants?
Chicago Cred operates on the South and West sides of Chicago, Illinois, focusing on the places where violence is an everyday occurrence.
What size grants does Chicago Cred Inc award?
In 2024, Chicago Cred Inc awarded 45 grants totaling $11.9M — an average of about $265K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Chicago Cred Inc's EIN?
Chicago Cred Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3130448. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.