The mission of Distinctive Schools is to serve children and families in urban communities by managing high-performing charter schools that accelerate achievement, performance, and college preparedness through skilled operating management and intensive support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.4M
+13.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$880K
+178.1% YoY
Grant Count
3
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$293K
+85.4% YoY
About Distinctive Schools of Illinois
Based on IRS filings
Distinctive Schools of Illinois is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in CHICAGO, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $880K. Net investment income was $16K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,369,546 | $3,843,430 | $3,046,722 |
| Revenue | $55,192,004 | $41,725,709 | $37,265,340 |
| Expenses | $54,912,015 | $41,535,943 | $36,686,223 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $15,645 | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Art in Motion ($599,500), Plymouth Educational Center ($246,250), Chicago International Charter School ($34,385).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Art in Motion Chicago, IL | Education | $599,500 |
| Chicago International Charter School Chicago, IL | Education | $34,385 |
| Plymouth Educational Center Detroit, MI | Education | $246,250 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Wise | Chairman, Strategy Advisor | 20 | $150,695 |
| David Sundstrom | Chief Administrative Officer | 40 | $143,917 |
| Kenneth Wong | Trustee | 2 | $27,864 |
| Jim Flavin | Trustee | 2 | $24,414 |
| Denise Davis-Cotton | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Chaula Gupta | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Eric Smith | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Sara Ray Stoelinga | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Scott Frauenheim | Chief Executive Officer | 40 | $345,989 |
| Katherine O'Connor | Chief Education Officer | 40 | $240,987 |
| Erin Lanoue | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $226,526 |
| Monique N Langston | Chief of Staff | 40 | $203,429 |
| Samantha Baugh | Chief Talent Officer | 40 | $200,437 |
| Elizabeth Winke | Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $198,789 |
| Jessica Paulsen | Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer | 40 | $193,943 |
| Michael J McCarthy | Chief of Schools | 40 | $189,716 |
| Matthew L Pitucco | Deputy Chief of Engagement | 40 | $159,740 |
| Stephanie R Barraza | Executive Director of Strategy | 40 | $138,249 |
| Kara May | Director of Partnerships & Creative Development | 40 | $133,250 |
| Whitney A Rosetti | Executive Director of Talent | 40 | $130,225 |
| Roberto Vargas | Managing Director of IT and Data Systems | 40 | $121,366 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Distinctive Schools of Illinois?
Distinctive Schools of Illinois is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in CHICAGO, IL. It holds $4.4M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Distinctive Schools of Illinois?
As of 2024, Distinctive Schools of Illinois holds $4.4M in total assets with $55.2M in annual revenue. It awarded 3 grants totaling $880K in 2024.
Where does Distinctive Schools of Illinois operate?
Distinctive Schools of Illinois has awarded grants in Illinois, Michigan.
What size grants does Distinctive Schools of Illinois award?
In 2024, Distinctive Schools of Illinois awarded 3 grants totaling $880K — an average of about $293K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Distinctive Schools of Illinois's EIN?
Distinctive Schools of Illinois's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-4967763. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Distinctive Schools of Illinois's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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