Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee
Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 2001, it supports organizing and related activities among affiliated district councils and local unions, and works to coordinate their dealings with employers.
Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee at a glance
In short: Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee gave $6.0M across 35 grants in 2025 (avg $170K), top state Michigan. 20% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,955,110
- +189.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 35
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $170,146
- +131.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $48,512,806
- +9.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (7 of 35, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (38% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee
- Contact
Mailing address: 8770 W Bryn Mawr 1212, Chicago, IL 60631-3545
Phone: (773) 693-1800
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Michigan Laborers' District Council ($2.3M). Together the top 10 received $4.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
146 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 73 grants of 146 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization says its organizing activities take place within the Great Lakes Region and within the jurisdictions of its affiliated district councils and local unions. In 2025, grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Michigan (38%), Illinois (25%), Minnesota (16%), and Wisconsin (15%); California accounted for 5%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 35 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $210K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $100K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2024) to $6.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 35 grants totaling $6.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Laborers' District Council Lansing, MI | Grants and Assistance | $2,250,000 |
| Minnesotanorth Dakota Laborers District Council St. Paul, MN | Grants and Assistance | $935,500 |
| Wisconsin Laborers' District Council Deforest, WI | Grants and Assistance | $891,500 |
| Laborers Pacific Southwest Regional Organizing Coalition Covina, CA | Contribution - General Support | $250,000 |
| Laborers' Local Union 582 Elgin, IL | Organizing Grant & Contribution - General Support | $100,300 |
| Laborers' Local Union 1 Chicago, IL | Organizing Grant | $100,000 |
| Laborers' Local Union 1001 Chicago, IL | Organizing Grant | $100,000 |
| Laborers' Local Union 1035 Marengo, IL | Organizing Grant | $100,000 |
| Laborers' Local Union 1092 Chicago, IL | Organizing Grant | $100,000 |
| Laborers' Local Union 152 Highland Park, IL | Organizing Grant | $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 | $48,512,806 | $18,856,508 | $16,371,459 | $5,955,110 | 35 | $1,130,832 |
| 2024 | $44,479,928 | $18,594,384 | $17,488,965 | $2,060,040 | 28 | $1,022,227 |
| 2023 | $41,123,384 | $17,089,940 | $17,425,477 | $5,105,915 | 31 | $800,506 |
| 2022 | $42,312,837 | $17,661,518 | $15,918,335 | $4,235,500 | 26 | $694,301 |
| 2021 | $43,292,120 | $17,184,892 | $16,229,227 | $4,590,991 | 26 | $932,904 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states that its mission is to conduct organizing activities within the jurisdictional areas of affiliated district councils and local unions, promote unity of action in dealing with employers, and coordinate and consolidate the activities of affiliated district councils.
Its 2025 grants included district councils and local unions. The Minnesota and North Dakota district council describes its mission as providing technical assistance, organizing, and contract negotiation services to local unions. The Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council says it aims to protect and improve members’ lives through family-supporting wages and benefits, and through programs and services intended to make members safer, more skilled, and more productive. Local grantees describe missions that include securing fair compensation and working conditions, organizing workers, protecting workplace rights, and improving wages and benefits.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the organization reported 35 grants totaling $5,955,110. Grants ranged from $6,500 to $2,250,000, with a median of $100,000.
The largest 2025 grants were $2,250,000 to Michigan Laborers’ District Council, $935,500 to the Laborers International Union of North America – District Council of MN and ND, and $891,500 to Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council. Other listed awards included $250,000 to Laborers Pacific Southwest Regional Organizing Coalition and $100,300 to Laborers’ Local Union 582. Several other listed local unions received $100,000 each.
The filing says the board carefully reviews donation and grant requests and approves them only for organizations that have satisfied its due diligence. Grants and contributions greater than $5,000 require board approval. The board reports that it does not subsequently monitor how donations and grants are used. The filing also states that the organization was unable to obtain information needed to complete Part II or Schedule I.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing include Terrence M. Healy, chairman; James Connolly, secretary-treasurer; Joel Smith, sergeant at arms-new/vice chair-past; Joseph Healy, vice chair-new/recording secretary-past; Brent Pilarski, director-new; Kent Miller, recording secretary-new/sergeant at arms-past; and Geno Alessandrini, director-past. The filing also lists Peter A. Fosco as regional director and Lee C. Chwalek and Richard Pieruccini as marketing managers.
Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee is led by Terrence M. Healy, Chairman on every filing since 2021; 5 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Terrence M. Healy
Chairman
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter A. Fosco
Regional Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$191K (2021) → $225K (2025)
Brent Pilarski
Director - New
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juan Munoz
Marketing Representative
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$131K (2021) → $147K (2025)
Kevin E. Pranis
Marketing Manager
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$146K (2021) → $160K (2025)
Lee C. Chwalek
Marketing Manager
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$146K (2021) → $161K (2025)
Richard Pieruccini
Marketing Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$160K (2025)
Geno Alessandrini
Director - Past
Recording Secretary → Director, 2022
Director → Director - Past, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Connolly
Secretary-Treasurer
Vice Chairman → Secretary Treasurer - New & Vice Chair - Past, 2023
Secretary Treasurer - New & Vice Chair - Past → Secretary-Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joel Smith
Serg at Arms-New & Vice Chair-Past
Vice Chairman - New & Rec Scy - Past → Vice Chairman, 2024
Vice Chairman → Serg at Arms-New & Vice Chair-Past, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Healy
Vice Chair-New & Rec Secy-Past
Recording Secretary - New → Recording Secretary, 2024
Recording Secretary → Vice Chair-New & Rec Secy-Past, 2025
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kent Miller
Rec Secy-New & Serg at Arms-Past
Sergeant at Arms - New → Sergeant at Arms, 2024
Sergeant at Arms → Rec Secy-New & Serg at Arms-Past, 2025
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Paul Price (2024) — Marketing Representative
- Former: Charles V. Loverde III (2021–2023) — Secretary-Treasurer - Past
- Former: John Schmitt (2021–2023) — Sergeant at Arms - Past
- Former: Michael S. Bivins (2021–2023) — Marketing Manager
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $225K, to Peter a Fosco (Regional Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee
How much does Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee give each year?
Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee gave $6.0M across 35 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.1M across 28 grants.
What is Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee's typical grant size?
Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $170,146, across 35 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee that year got $10K on average.
Where does Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee give grants?
Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee's top state is Michigan, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Illinois (25%) and Minnesota (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (9 grants), Lansing, MI (2 grants), Covina, CA (2 grants) and Chicago Heights, IL (2 grants).
Does Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee give general operating support?
Yes: 54% of Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Organizing Grant" (13 grants) and "Grants and Assistance" (3 grants).
Who are Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee's largest grantees?
Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee's largest 2025 grantees include Michigan Laborers' District Council ($2,250,000), Minnesotanorth Dakota Laborers District Council ($935,500) and Wisconsin Laborers' District Council ($891,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 68% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee?
Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee reported $48.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.9M.
What does Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee fund?
The organization states that its mission is to conduct organizing activities within the jurisdictional areas of affiliated district councils and local unions, promote unity of action in dealing with employers, and coordinate and consolidate the activities of affiliated district councils. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee?
Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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 September 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 20, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/great-lakes-region-organizing-committee-morg_6d4e60f18557435fba132a79a0d2929a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364465366_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/great-lakes-region-organizing-committee-morg_6d4e60f18557435fba132a79a0d2929a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee'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.
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