Chicago State Foundation
The mission of Chicago State Foundation is to advance the interest and welfare of CSU by building relationships, securing philanthropic support, stewarding assets and otherwise procuring private support on behalf of the University. Working in concert with the President of CSU, Chicago State Foundation helps to identify strategic priorities, raise public awareness for the University and secure private support to create new opportunities for students.
Chicago State Foundation at a glance
In short: Chicago State Foundation gave $3.9M across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $3.9M), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,918,821
- +143.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,918,821
- +143.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,918,821
- Total assets
- $11,531,717
- +8.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Chicago State Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Chicago State University ($3.9M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 4 grants of 5 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Chicago State Foundation gives
- Giving grew 141% from 2022 to 2025. 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $895K (2021) to $3.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $3.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago State University Chicago, IL | Provide Scholarship and other assistance to students | $3,918,821 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,531,717 | $6,185,493 | $4,483,012 | $3,918,821 | 1 | $1,444,984 |
| 2024 | $10,671,109 | $3,209,807 | $2,235,920 | $1,608,132 | 1 | $231,215 |
| 2023 | $9,471,118 | $3,778,078 | $2,476,706 | $1,795,608 | 1 | $578,808 |
| 2022 | $7,912,596 | $811,445 | $3,883,942 | $1,629,145 | 1 | $-1,129,427 |
| 2021 | $10,251,997 | $3,855,145 | $1,814,373 | $895,073 | 1 | $1,331,561 |
About Chicago State Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Chicago State Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $11.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $3.9M. Net investment income was $1.4M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Chicago State Foundation is led by Melanie Sillas, President since 2025 (on filings since 2023); none of the 23 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Melanie Sillas
President
Executive Director → President, 2025
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John C Robak
Board Chair
Director → Chairman, 2023
Chairman → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Zopp
Executive Officio
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angelique David
Executive Officio
Board Chair → Director, 2022
Director → Executive Officio, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donna Coaxum
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dorothy Capers
Board Member
Secretary → Director, 2024
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne M Gills
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nick Hnatiw
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Montes
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Spring Capers
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zaldwaynaka 'Z' Scott
Executive Officio
Executive Officio → Director, 2023
Director → Executive Officio, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin Inman
Member at Large
Director → Member at Large, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph A Cancila Jr.
Board Secretary
Director → Board Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katrina D Jackson
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yemi Akisanya
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Evans
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael T Harris
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andre Baker
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Dushime
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Mercer
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lafayette Kyle Ford
Board Vice Chair
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie J Anderson - Rutland
Board Treasurer
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Finney Cooke
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Kristin Finney-Cooke (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Alvin Boutte Jr. (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jerell Parker (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Leslie Anderson (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Marshall Hatch (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Christina Steed (2021–2022) — Chair
- Former: Sherell Fuller (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Abraham Thompson (2021) — Director
- Former: Adon Navarette (2021) — Director
- Former: Alfreda Bradley Coar (2021) — Director
- Former: Darrious Hilmon (2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Kimberly Loftis (2021) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Chicago State Foundation
How much does Chicago State Foundation give each year?
Chicago State Foundation gave $3.9M across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.6M across 1 grant.
How large is Chicago State Foundation?
Chicago State Foundation reported $11.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.2M.
What is Chicago State Foundation?
Chicago State Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $11.5M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Chicago State Foundation operate?
Chicago State Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Chicago State Foundation's EIN?
Chicago State Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3644945. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 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 May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Figures come from Chicago State Foundation'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.
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