Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee is a labor union-affiliated nonprofit organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Designated as a 501(c)(5) entity, the organization functions as a labor union that conducts organizing activities and provides support services to affiliated district councils and local unions across the Great Lakes region.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$48.5M
+9.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.0M
+189.1% YoY
Grant Count
35
+25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$170K
+131.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization's primary mission is to aid affiliated district councils in negotiations, pre-hire agreements, and initial agreements with employers. The committee promotes unity of action in dealing with employers to coordinate and consolidate the activities of its various affiliated district councils, enabling them to work in a harmonious and united way.
Program services focus on conceiving, developing, and conducting organizing and incidental activities within the Great Lakes Region.
Grantmaking
The organization does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
Grant Range
$8,000–$245,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization operates within the Great Lakes region, supporting affiliated district councils and local unions across multiple states in this area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $48,512,806 | 2025 |
| Total Revenues | $18,856,508 | 2025 |
| Total Expenses | $16,371,459 | 2025 |
| Annual Giving Rate | 4.6% of assets | 2024 |
Staffing:
- 42 employees (2025)
Compensation:
- Executive Compensation: $0
- Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
- Other Salaries and Wages: $4,314,470
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $48,512,806 | $44,479,928 | $41,123,384 |
| Revenue | $18,856,508 | $18,594,384 | $17,089,940 |
| Expenses | $16,371,459 | $17,488,965 | $17,425,477 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,130,832 | $1,022,227 | $800,506 |
| 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 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
146 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Michigan Laborers' District Council ($2,250,000), Minnesotanorth Dakota Laborers District Council ($935,500), Wisconsin Laborers' District Council ($891,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHICAGO LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL BURR RIDGE, IL | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT | $6,500 |
| CTUL MINNEAPOLIS, MI | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| FRIENDS OF LABOR PHILADELPHIA, PA | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| HELMETS TO HARDHATS NEW YORK, NY | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ILLINOIS AFL-CIO COPE SPRINGFIELD, IL | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ILLINOIS DELIVERS CHICAGO, IL | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CHICAGO, IL | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| LABORERS CARE SPARTA, TN | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION BURR RIDGE, IL | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1 CHICAGO, IL | ORGANIZING GRANT | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TERRENCE M HEALY | CHAIRMAN | 3 | — |
| JAMES CONNOLLY | SECRETARY-TREASURER | 3 | — |
| JOEL SMITH | SERG AT ARMS-NEW/VICE CHAIR-PAST | 3 | — |
| JOSEPH HEALY | VICE CHAIR-NEW/REC SECY-PAST | 3 | — |
| BRENT PILARSKI | DIRECTOR - NEW | 3 | — |
| KENT MILLER | REC SECY-NEW/SERG AT ARMS-PAST | 3 | — |
| GENO ALESSANDRINI | DIRECTOR - PAST | 3 | — |
| PETER A FOSCO | REGIONAL DIRECTOR | 40 | $224,699 |
| LEE C CHWALEK | MARKETING MANAGER | 40 | $160,771 |
| RICHARD PIERUCCINI | MARKETING MANAGER | 40 | $159,640 |
| KEVIN PRANIS | MARKETING MANAGER | 40 | $159,632 |
| JUAN MUNOZ | MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE | 40 | $147,449 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee fund?
The organization's primary mission is to aid affiliated district councils in negotiations, pre-hire agreements, and initial agreements with employers. The committee promotes unity of action in dealing with employers to coordinate and consolidate the activities of its various affiliated district councils, enabling them to work in a harmonious and united way. Program services focus on conceiving, developing, and conducting organizing and incidental activities within the Great Lakes Region.
How do I apply for a grant from Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $6,057,017 (2025) • Annual giving: $2,060,040 (2024) • Number of grants: 28 (2024); 31 (2023); 26 (2022) • Median grant amount: $100,000 • Grant range: $8,000–$245,000 **Application Policy:** The organization does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only. **Recent Grants:** • Laborers' International Union of North America - Michigan State District Council: $2,250,000 (2025)
Where does Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee make grants?
The organization operates within the Great Lakes region, supporting affiliated district councils and local unions across multiple states in this area.
What size grants does Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee award?
In 2025, Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee awarded 35 grants totaling $6.0M — an average of about $170K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee's EIN?
Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4465366. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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