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
No grants recorded for .
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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
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The John Crerar Foundation
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Fostering Success
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Assets
$38K
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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