Empower Illinois
We believe every child in the state of Illinois should have an equal opportunity for a quality education. Empower Illinois expands quality education options for low-income and working families of Illinois, with a particular emphasis on k-12 scholarships and student-centered public policy.
Empower Illinois at a glance
In short: Empower Illinois gave $123K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $122,670
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- Average grant
- $17,524
- Median grant
- $15,334
- Total assets
- $241,243
- -77.6% 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 November 2026.
Who Empower Illinois funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Ferdinand School ($15K). Together the top 2 received $23K.
Organizations only. It also paid 5 individual scholarships ($99,669), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 7 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $123K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 5 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $99,669 |
| St Ferdinand School Chicago, IL | Scholarships for Low-Income Students | $15,334 |
| St Anastasia School Waukegan, IL | Scholarships for Low-Income Students | $7,667 |
Ready to take the next step with Empower Illinois?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $241,243 | $211,640 | $1,019,168 | $122,670 | 7 | $870 |
| 2024 | $1,075,228 | $276,402 | $2,551,260 | — | — | $3,920 |
| 2023 | $4,090,440 | $56,103,669 | $79,656,220 | — | — | $776,101 |
| 2022 | $30,934,936 | $54,261,503 | $53,735,497 | — | — | $231,707 |
| 2021 | $28,007,450 | $51,375,016 | $42,249,593 | — | — | $3,009 |
| 2020 | $18,412,741 | $45,895,922 | $40,907,437 | — | — | $30,096 |
About Empower Illinois
Based on IRS filings
Empower Illinois is a public charity focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $241K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $123K. Net investment income was $870.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Empower Illinois is led by Jonathan Greenberg, CEO on every filing since 2024; 3 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jonathan Greenberg
CEO
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$130K (2024) → $229K (2025)
Anthony Holter
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$209K (2020) → $89K (2025)
James Perry Jr.
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lindsey O'Brien
Director of Operations
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$147K (2025)
Avrum Weinfeld
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Buck
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Schoenig
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Lipinski
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Loughery
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Vallace
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ward Hamm
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Brandan Allen (2020–2024) — CFO
- Former: Robert Sylvester (2023–2024) — Director of School & Comms Partnerships
- Former: Daniel Daly (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Juan Rangel (2020–2023) — Strategy Director
- Former: Karin Norington-Reaves (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sara Albrecht (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Christopher Davis (2022–2023) — Director of Operations
- Former: Emma Ciavarella (2021–2022) — Communications Director
- Former: Maris Tallentire (2022) — Director of Development
- Former: Brian Brookover (2020–2021) — Senior Director
- Former: Kaitlin Donnelly (2021) — Development Director
- Former: Alissa McCurley-Vogel (2020) — Gov't Affairs Director
- Former: Meggan Muller (2020) — Operations Director
- Former: Michael McClain (2020) — Director
- Former: Myles Mendoza (2020) — President
- Former: Pete Bensen (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $229K, to Jonathan Greenberg (CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Empower Illinois
How much does Empower Illinois give each year?
Empower Illinois gave $123K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Empower Illinois's typical grant size?
Empower Illinois's median grant in 2025 was $15,334, and its average grant was $17,524, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Empower Illinois give grants?
Empower Illinois gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does Empower Illinois give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Empower Illinois's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships for Low-Income Students" (7 grants).
How large is Empower Illinois?
Empower Illinois reported $241K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $212K.
What is Empower Illinois?
Empower Illinois is a public charity focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $241K in total assets as of 2025.
What is Empower Illinois's EIN?
Empower Illinois's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2479414. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 24, 2026)
Live grants for the work Empower Illinois funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Empower Illinois's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Illinois
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Empower Illinois'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.
Empower Illinois down — hundreds of funders to go?