Chicago Lights
Chicago Lights builds brighter futures for chicago's youth and adults through supportive relationships and life-changing programs.
Chicago Lights at a glance
- Total assets
- $2,007,765
- +25.4% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $2,646,919
- +5.6% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $30,738
- +144.6% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $2,299,776
- +5.9% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Chicago Lights funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 3 grants of 3 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How Chicago Lights gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2019 to 2022 (−17%). 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 2019 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $53K (2021) to $70K (2020). In 2022 it made 1 grant totaling $56K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago, IL | General Support to Benefit LRCC (Counseling Center) | $55,800 |
Ready to take the next step with Chicago Lights?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,007,765 | $2,646,919 | $2,299,776 | — | — | $30,738 |
| 2023 | $1,601,541 | $2,507,544 | $2,172,617 | — | — | $12,568 |
| 2022 | $1,262,704 | $2,389,720 | $2,470,546 | $55,800 | 1 | $3,081 |
| 2021 | $1,427,932 | $2,625,626 | $2,246,524 | $53,375 | 1 | $57 |
| 2020 | $997,898 | $2,685,055 | $2,384,384 | $70,000 | 1 | $1,157 |
| 2019 | $876,886 | $2,320,150 | $2,520,999 | $66,875 | 1 | $823 |
About Chicago Lights
Based on IRS filings
Chicago Lights is a public charity, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. Net investment income was $31K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Chicago Lights is led by Stacy Jackson, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 1 of 20 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stacy Jackson
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$136K (2021) → $150K (2024)
Amanda Felt
President
Director → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Hull
Director
Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Naresh Koka
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Truett
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gretchen Van Natta
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcus Mason-Vivit
Director
Secretary → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew McGaan
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cassandra L. Book
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Halle Miroglotta
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Prevost-Schultz
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nalini I. Durgana
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Theresa E. Mintle
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caryn Borg-Breen
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Kimbell
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Latherow
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roosevelt Haywood III
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Epps
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Goggins
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark H. Nelson
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (34)
- Former: Nicholas Vanderschie (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Kathryn Bates (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: John Marr (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dave Kimbell (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Glenn Richter (2021–2022) — Director · Filing note: Thru 052022
- Former: Nick Vanderschie (2021–2022) — President
- Former: Peter Shannon (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Amy Gullinson (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Chad Tischer (2019–2021) — President
- Former: Cynthia Joho (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Ken Walker (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Lafayette Kyle Ford (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Andy McGaan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Georgia Tsagalis (2020–2021) — Secretary -
- Former: Norma Borcherding (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Annie Person (2021) — Vice President
- Former: Bill Patterson (2021) — Director
- Former: Cass Book (2021) — Director
- Former: Joe Tyler (2021) — Director -
- Former: Kathi Bates (2021) — Director
- Former: Martina Smith (2021) — Director
- Former: Andrea Person (2019–2020) — Vice President
- Former: Brian Van Klompenberg (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Elinor Hite (2019–2020) — Vice President
- Former: Ellen Gignilliat (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Jim Gould (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Joe Feldman (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Joseph E Tyler III (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Kimberly Watson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Victoria Curtiss (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Virginia Pillman (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: William D Patterson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Craig Naish (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Debbie Frisch (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $150K, to Stacy Jackson (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Chicago Lights
How large is Chicago Lights?
Chicago Lights reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.6M.
Where does Chicago Lights operate?
Chicago Lights has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Chicago Lights's EIN?
Chicago Lights's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3786331. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chicago Lights's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Illinois
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
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
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 Chicago Lights'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.
Chicago Lights down — hundreds of funders to go?