Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative
Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. Through its Workforce & Community Initiative, it connects job seekers with employers, provides workforce and training services, and helps businesses and unions identify training resources.
Key facts about Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative
In short: Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative gave $1.6M across 30 grants in 2025 (avg $53K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 36-3977262
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,591,142
- Grants made (2025)
- 30
- Average grant
- $53,038
- Median grant
- $13,016
- Total assets
- $1,310,954
- Primary geography
- Illinois (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The executive board reviews requests and approves grants after due diligence. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.3M
+10.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
-18.3% YoY
Grant Count
30
-3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$53K
-15.6% YoY
How Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative gives
- 47% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+20%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to engage working men and women and the broader community to improve health, income, and education. Its services include career counseling, job-search assistance, skills training, employment support for eligible job seekers, and assistance to employers and unions seeking workforce training resources. Some participant training and employment services are supported by government-funded programs; these are services to participants and employers, distinct from grants the organization awards.
The 2025 grant list includes union apprenticeship and training programs, businesses, and community and educational organizations. For example, the grantee Concussion Legacy Foundation describes its mission as supporting athletes, veterans, and others affected by concussions and CTE, promoting safer sports through education and innovation, and ending CTE through prevention and research. Chicago Jobs with Justice describes its mission as building a progressive labor movement in coalition with student, faith, and community organizations to advance workers’ rights and social and economic justice. Illinois Institute of Technology describes its mission as providing relevant education in an environment of scientific, technological, and professional knowledge creation and innovation.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 30 grants totaling $1,591,142. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $405,033, with a median of $13,016. The largest grants included $405,033 to IUOE Local 399 Ed Training Fund, $356,172 to IBEW Local 9 Apprenticeship, $217,321 to USIC Locating Services LLC, $89,659 to Climate Pros, and $71,094 to Ironworkers Local 1; each was listed with the purpose “Donation.”
Other 2025 grants included $20,000 to Concussion Legacy Foundation, $20,000 to Illinois Institute of Technology, and $12,000 each to Navy Pier and Chicago Jobs with Justice. The executive board reviews grant and donation requests before approval and disbursement, conducts due diligence, and monitors the use of grants and donations.
How to Apply
The executive board reviews requests and approves grants after due diligence. The organization subsequently monitors the use of grants and donations.
Ready to take the next step with Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s services address the Chicagoland region. In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 1% to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $20K (2020) to $1.9M (2024). In 2025 it made 30 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was IUOE Local 399 Ed Training Fund ($405K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
111 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 84 grants of 111 (76%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| IUOE Local 399 Ed Training Fund Chicago, IL | Donation | $405,033 |
| IBEW Local 9 Apprenticeship University Park, IL | Donation | $356,172 |
| USIC Locating Services LLC Lombard, IL | Donation | $217,321 |
| Climate Pros Glendale Heights, IL | Donation | $89,659 |
| Ironworkers Local 1 Forest Park, IL | Donation | $71,094 |
| Architectural Metal Trainee School for Local 63 Broadview, IL | Donation | $52,826 |
| Select Development Chicago, IL | Donation | $49,043 |
| Air & Wellness Safety Training Company Chicago, IL | Donation | $43,274 |
| Spider Company Machesney Park, IL | Donation | $35,669 |
| Oberg Medical Products Chicago, IL | Donation | $30,035 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,310,954 | $3,725,019 | $3,784,175 | $1,591,142 |
| 2024 | $1,187,256 | $3,698,955 | $3,712,486 | $1,948,161 |
| 2023 | $1,237,994 | $3,548,922 | $3,573,098 | $1,887,466 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,310,954 | $1,187,256 | $1,237,994 |
| Revenue | $3,725,019 | $3,698,955 | $3,548,922 |
| Expenses | $3,784,175 | $3,712,486 | $3,573,098 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert G. Reiter Jr. as chairman; Don V. Villar as secretary/treasurer; James P. Connolly, Judith Conway, Rosetta Daylie, Matthew Hynes, and Karen Kent as members; Jay Rowell as executive director; and Teresa Balaszek as senior accountant.
Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative is led by Jay Rowell, Executive Director on filings since 2020; 2 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jay Rowell
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$50K (2021) → $60K (2025)
Robert G Reiter Jr.
Chairman
Chairman → Chairman & President, 2024
Chairman & President → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Balaszek
Senior Accountant
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Don V Villar
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretrary Treasurer → Secretary Treasurer, 2023
Secretary Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James P Connolly
Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judith Conway
Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Kent
Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Hynes
Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rosetta Daylie
Member
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Rosetta Dalyie (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Joseph Costigan (2020) — Executive Director - Past
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $104K, to Teresa Balaszek (Senior Accountant). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 2540 S State Street, Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 565-9561
Website: https://cflinitiative.org
Frequently asked questions about Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative
How much does Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative give each year?
Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative gave $1.6M across 30 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.9M across 31 grants.
What is Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative's typical grant size?
Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative's median grant in 2025 was $13,016, and its average grant was $53,038, across 30 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative give grants?
Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative gives mostly in Illinois: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (12 grants).
Does Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 30 grants with a stated purpose on Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (30 grants).
Who are Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative's largest grantees?
Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative's largest 2025 grantees include IUOE Local 399 Ed Training Fund ($405,033), IBEW Local 9 Apprenticeship ($356,172) and USIC Locating Services LLC ($217,321), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative?
Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.7M.
What does Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to engage working men and women and the broader community to improve health, income, and education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative?
The executive board reviews requests and approves grants after due diligence. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative's EIN?
Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3977262. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative by hand.
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