Distinctive Schools of Illinois
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.
Distinctive Schools of Illinois at a glance
In short: Distinctive Schools of Illinois gave $324K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $162K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $324,000
- -63.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- -33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $162,000
- -44.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $162,000
- Total assets
- $3,529,157
- -19.2% 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 Distinctive Schools of Illinois funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Chicago International Charter School Bucktown ($224K). Together the top 2 received $324K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 7 grants of 9 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
How Distinctive Schools of Illinois gives
- Giving grew 224% 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 $100K (2022) to $880K (2024). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $324K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago International Charter School Bucktown Chicago, IL | Educational program support/school operations | $224,000 |
| Chicago International Charter School Lloyd Bond Chicago, IL | Educational program support/school operations | $100,000 |
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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 | $3,529,157 | $60,065,732 | $59,673,574 | $324,000 | 2 | $65,583 |
| 2024 | $4,369,546 | $55,192,004 | $54,912,015 | $880,135 | 3 | $15,645 |
| 2023 | $3,843,430 | $41,725,709 | $41,535,943 | $316,500 | 2 | — |
| 2022 | $3,046,722 | $37,265,340 | $36,686,223 | $100,000 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | $2,734,668 | $38,553,382 | $34,797,226 | $175,000 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | $5,145,494 | $3,858,303 | $2,959,276 | — | — | — |
| 2019 | $2,643,951 | $3,185,916 | $3,576,431 | — | — | — |
About Distinctive Schools of Illinois
Based on IRS filings
Distinctive Schools of Illinois is a public charity focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $324K. Net investment income was $66K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Distinctive Schools of Illinois is led by Scott Frauenheim, Chief Executive Officer since 2020 (on filings since 2019); 18 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Scott Frauenheim
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating → Chief Executive Officer, 2020
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$229K (2019) → $389K (2025)
Stephanie R Barraza
Executive Director of Strategy
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$126K (2023) → $167K (2025)
Whitney A Rosetti
Executive Director of Hr & Talent
Executive Director of Talent → Executive Director of Hr & Talent, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$134K (2023) → $162K (2025)
Lindsey Girard
Managing Director of Operations
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$167K (2025)
Denise Davis-Cotton
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$12K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Kenneth Wong
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$12K (2019) → $12K (2025)
James Flavin
Trustee
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
$5K (2023) → $12K (2025)
Chaula Gupta
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Sundstrom
Chief Administrative Officer
Chief Complianc → Chief Administrator Officer, 2020
Chief Administrator Officer → Chief Administrative Officer, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$217K (2019) → $253K (2025)
Erin Lanoue
Chief Operating Officer
COO → Chief Operating Officer, 2020
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$186K (2019) → $233K (2025)
Joseph Wise
Strategy Advisor
Chairman → Chairman & Strategy Advisor, 2024
Chairman & Strategy Advisor → Strategy Advisor, 2025
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$142K (2019) → $157K (2025)
Katherine O'Connor
Vice President & Chief Education Officer
Vice President & Chief Education Officer → Chief Education Officer, 2024
Chief Education Officer → Vice President & Chief Education Officer, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$145K (2019) → $273K (2025)
Monique N Langston
Chief of Staff
Chief Strategy Officer → Chief of Staff, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$170K (2021) → $225K (2025)
Michael J McCarthy
Chief of Schools & Engagement
Chief of Schools & Engagement → Chief of Schools, 2024
Chief of Schools → Chief of Schools & Engagement, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$142K (2022) → $200K (2025)
Samantha Baugh
Chief Talent Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$153K (2022) → $217K (2025)
Elizabeth Winke
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$168K (2023) → $217K (2025)
Jessica Paulsen
Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$152K (2023) → $212K (2025)
Matthew L Pitucco
Deputy Chief of Engagement
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$133K (2023) → $167K (2025)
Maria Freeman
School Principal
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$172K (2025)
Sarah C O'Connell
Deputy Chief of Schools
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$165K (2025)
Former officers (14)
- Former: Eric Smith (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jim Flavin (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Kara May (2022–2024) — Director of Partnerships & Creative Development
- Former: Sara Ray Stoelinga (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Roberto Vargas (2024) — Managing Director of It & Data Systems
- Former: Jeff Donoghue (2021–2023) — President & Chief Financial
- Former: Karin Breo (2022–2023) — Executive Director Committee Partner
- Former: Christine Krier (2023) — Stem Director
- Former: Aarti Dhupelia (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Amanda Aguirre (2022) — Assistant Principal
- Former: Cassie Williams (2022) — Deputy Chief of Education
- Former: Bill Tudor (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Jackie Cornelius (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Jacquelyn Cornelius (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $389K, to Scott Frauenheim (Chief Executive Officer). 18 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Distinctive Schools of Illinois
How much does Distinctive Schools of Illinois give each year?
Distinctive Schools of Illinois gave $324K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $880K across 3 grants.
How large is Distinctive Schools of Illinois?
Distinctive Schools of Illinois reported $3.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $60.1M.
What is Distinctive Schools of Illinois?
Distinctive Schools of Illinois is a public charity focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $3.5M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Distinctive Schools of Illinois operate?
Distinctive Schools of Illinois has awarded grants in Illinois, Michigan.
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 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Distinctive Schools of Illinois funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Distinctive Schools of Illinois's focus areas in our free grants database
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