Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc
Provide service to veterans and active-duty military and their families; foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend the institution of American freedom and equal rights and justice to all men and women
Key facts about Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc
In short: Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc gave $36K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 26-2252006
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $35,859
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- Average grant
- $17,930
- Median grant
- $17,930
- Total assets
- $328,136
- Primary geography
- Illinois (67% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$328K
+12.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$36K
+10.9% YoY
Grant Count
2
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
+10.9% YoY
How Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc gives
- Giving grew 288% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc
Based on IRS filings
Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Somonauk, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $328K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $36K. Net investment income was $3K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $9K (2022) to $76K (2023). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $36K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was This Able Veteran ($24K). Together the top 2 received $36K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 9 (89%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| This Able Veteran Carbondale, IL | This grant was to provide the cost to obtain a service dog(s), provide professional dog training, veterinarian service as needed, and support for veterans(s) living with PTSD by providing them with a match to a service dog and training. | $23,859 |
| VFW National Home Eaton Rapids, MI | Provide funds to assist with the purchase of needed equipment to maintain the grounds used by the Veterans and their families residing at the VFW National Home. | $12,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $328,136 | $291,603 | $297,840 |
| Revenue | $334,720 | $298,450 | $326,983 |
| Expenses | $298,844 | $304,668 | $294,780 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,146 | $2,637 | $919 |
Data update history
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 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- 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)
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc is led by Cindy Watters, President since 2025 (on filings since 2021); 2 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cindy Watters
President
Junior Vice President → Senior Vice President, 2024
Senior Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colette Bishop
Past National President
Past National President → Secretary & Past National President, 2022
Secretary & Past National President → Past National President, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$6K (2022) → $0 (2025)
Linda Lorenz
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
30 hrs/week
$18K (2021) → $18K (2025)
Rhonda Borkgren
Secretary
Junior Past Dept President → Secretary & National Council Member, 2024
Secretary & National Council Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
30 hrs/week
$3K (2024) → $15K (2025)
Diane Ahrens
Senior Vice President
Chaplain → Junior Vice President, 2024
Junior Vice President → Senior Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Smith
Past Department President
Senior Vice President → President, 2024
President → Past Department President, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danielle Krull
Junior Vice President
Conductor → Chaplain, 2024
Chaplain → Junior Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terry Adams
Chaplain
Guard → Conductor, 2024
Conductor → Chaplain, 2025
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Maruszak
Conductor
Guard → Conductor, 2025
On filings since 2024
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Hunter
Guard
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Watters
Chief of Staff
New on the 2025 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Marvie Wisniewski (2021–2024) — Past Department President
- Former: Tammy Jo Napier (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: JoLynn Altvatter (2024) — Chief of Staff & Secretary
- Former: Paula DeDoncker (2022–2023) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Linda Armstrong (2021–2022) — Junior Past Dept President
- Former: Patti McLeod (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Billie Guthals (2021) — Junior Past Department President
- Former: Diana Rudeen (2021) — Chief of Staff
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $18K, to Linda Lorenz (Treasurer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc
How much does Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc give each year?
Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc gave $36K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $32K across 2 grants.
How large is Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc?
Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc reported $328K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $335K.
What is Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc?
Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Somonauk, IL. It holds $328K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc operate?
Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc has awarded grants in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan.
What is Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc's EIN?
Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2252006. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary Inc by hand.
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