Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) is a Chicago-based public charity focused on community revitalization. Its work includes community development and grantmaking, with the Excellerator Fund supporting Black- and Mexican-led organizations and promoting social and economic recovery in Chicago’s Black and Mexican communities.
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation at a glance
In short: Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation gave $567K across 34 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $566,686
- +16.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- -5.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,667
- +23.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $18,549
- Total assets
- $25,935,734
- -5.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation
- How to Apply
-
GAGDC issues a request for proposals for nonprofit applicants. An external committee of independent business leaders reviews applications and identifies qualifying applicants; an internal review then selects awardees. Awarded organizations are usually contacted quarterly about how the funds helped and are required to attend a convening with GAGDC and other recipients.
- Contact
Mailing address: 839 W 79Th St 400, Chicago, IL 60620
Phone: (773) 483-3696
Website: https://gagdc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation
Who Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Advocates for Community Wellness ($24K). Together the top 10 received $213K.
Grant Size Distribution
70 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 70 grants of 70 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GAGDC describes serving communities in Chicago and South Suburban neighborhoods. The Excellerator Fund focuses on Chicago’s Black and Mexican communities, specifically Auburn Gresham and Little Village. All 2024 grant dollars were reported as going to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation gives
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). 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 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $487K (2023) to $567K (2024). In 2024 it made 34 grants totaling $567K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Advocates for Community Wellness Chicago, IL | General Operations | $24,250 |
| Burst into Books Chicago, IL | General Operations | $24,250 |
| The Lyte Collective Chicago, IL | General Operations | $24,250 |
| True Believers Community Connection Chicago, IL | General Operations | $24,250 |
| Ba NIA Incorporated Chicago, IL | General Operations | $20,000 |
| Free Lunch Academy Chicago, IL | General Operations | $20,000 |
| Grant a Wish Inc Chicago, IL | General Operations | $20,000 |
| Better Boys Foundation Chicago, IL | General Operations | $18,549 |
| CASA Esperanza Project Chicago, IL | General Operations | $18,549 |
| Chicago Volunteer Doulas Inc Chicago, IL | General Operations | $18,549 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $25,935,734 | $8,690,350 | $6,226,634 | $566,686 | 34 | $114,243 |
| 2023 | $27,407,086 | $9,543,644 | $7,040,339 | $486,500 | 36 | $113,242 |
| 2022 | $37,581,966 | $8,248,455 | $6,656,997 | — | — | $201,497 |
| 2021 | $35,765,013 | $16,086,832 | $4,214,961 | — | — | $143,293 |
| 2020 | $3,103,477 | $4,068,207 | $1,806,037 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
GAGDC’s stated mission is to foster and promote community revitalization through programs that improve economic viability, increase access to quality housing while maintaining affordable housing, and enhance social services, particularly for seniors.
The organization’s five pillars are health and wellness; economic development; housing and senior services; education and youth development; and community engagement. Its economic development work includes business technical assistance, support for commercial corridors, and real estate development. Its other described activities include health initiatives and partnerships, after-school and summer youth programs, and senior workshops and wellness activities.
GAGDC’s 2024 grants were reported as general operating support. Among the grantees, Burst Into Books describes its mission as literacy outreach in disadvantaged and poor communities in Illinois. The Lyte Collective says it provides Chicago youth experiencing poverty and homelessness with safe space, resources, and holistic support. BA Nia Inc describes providing culturally relevant pre- and post-natal services, while Free Lunch Academy describes using social, emotional, and artistic learning for character development.
Grantmaking
In 2024, GAGDC reported 34 grants totaling $566,686. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $24,250, with a median of $18,549. The largest reported grants included $24,250 each to Advocates for Community Wellness, Burst Into Books, The Lyte Collective, and True Believers Community Connection, all in Chicago. Other grants included $20,000 each to BA Nia Inc, Free Lunch Academy, and Grant a Wish Inc.
GAGDC’s Excellerator Fund is a five-year, community-driven grantmaking initiative run with Latinos Progresando. It aims to raise $10 million over five years and, as of 2026, reports $4 million secured and invested in 86 organizations. The fund focuses on Black- and Mexican-led organizations and includes grantmaking, convenings, and capacity building. It reports that 75% of its grantees have budgets under $500,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Johnny Wilbon as chairman and president; Francine Dillard as vice president; Toi Robertson-Smith as treasurer; and Deborah Moore as secretary. Directors listed are Byam Alexander, Kham Beard, Eileen Knightly, Charles Krugel, Reverend Walter Mathews, and Willard Payton.
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation is led by Carlos Nelson, CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carlos Nelson
CEO
Executive Director & Board Advisor → CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$80K (2020) → $132K (2024)
Johnny Wilbon
Chairman & President
Chairman of Bod & President → Chairman & President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Byam Alexander
Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$71K (2024)
Father Michael Pfleger
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kham Beard
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Reverend Walter Mathews
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Willard Payton
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maureen Renno
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eileen Knightly
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Royster
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Krugel
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Francine Dillard
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$34K (2023) → $65K (2024)
Kaysha Larry
CFO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$115K (2023) → $121K (2024)
Deborah Moore
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Toi Robertson-Smith
Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer & Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Betty Swanson (2020–2023) — Vice President & Director
- Former: James Drake (2020–2023) — Secretary & Director
- Former: Linda C. Johnson (2021–2022) — Highly Compensated
- Former: Norma Sanders (2022) — Highly Compensated
- Former: Alberta Brooks (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Amanda Norman (2020–2021) — Treasurer & Director
- Former: Maureen Remo (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $132K, to Carlos Nelson (CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation
How much does Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation give each year?
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation gave $567K across 34 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $487K across 36 grants.
What is Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation's typical grant size?
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation's median grant in 2024 was $18,549, and its average grant was $16,667, across 34 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation give grants?
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (31 grants).
Does Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (34 of 34) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation's largest grantees?
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation's largest 2024 grantees include Advocates for Community Wellness ($24,250), Burst into Books ($24,250) and The Lyte Collective ($24,250), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation?
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation reported $25.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.7M.
What does Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation fund?
GAGDC’s stated mission is to foster and promote community revitalization through programs that improve economic viability, increase access to quality housing while maintaining affordable housing, and enhance social services, particularly for seniors. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation?
GAGDC issues a request for proposals for nonprofit applicants. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation's EIN?
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4377387. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/greater-auburn-gresham-development-corporation-morg_38f660dff8c4484d91ec5361c04c50b7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364377387_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/greater-auburn-gresham-development-corporation-morg_38f660dff8c4484d91ec5361c04c50b7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation'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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