Hfs chicago scholars (HFS) was created for the express purpose of supporting the educational aspiration of economically disadvantaged, but academically motivated chicago inner-city youth. Hfs grants partial scholarships to qualifying students, works with other unrelated scholarship funds and the chosen high school of the scholarship recipients to address full tuition and other school cost needs of the recipients and provides an active mentor for each recipient to help the recipient successfully achieve his or her educational goals.
Key facts about HFS Chicago Scholars
- EIN
- 36-3922345
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Total assets
- $5,348,584
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$5.3M
+15.6% YoY
Revenue
$2.0M
+26.4% YoY
Net Investment Income
—
-100.0% YoY
Expenses
$1.3M
+26.2% YoY
Is HFS Chicago Scholars open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 23 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $12K repeat.
- 83% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−5%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
About HFS Chicago Scholars
Based on IRS filings
HFS Chicago Scholars is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.3M in total assets.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with HFS Chicago Scholars?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 0 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
111 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2025.
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,348,584 | $4,624,897 | $3,690,922 |
| Revenue | $1,988,308 | $1,573,514 | $1,238,566 |
| Expenses | $1,277,298 | $1,012,155 | $1,030,555 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | $190,594 | $118,024 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 3, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
HFS Chicago Scholars is led by Michael J. Kennelly, Board Chairman on every filing since 2019; none of the 76 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michael J. Kennelly
Board Chairman
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Alex Agran
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Andrew Weil
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Anthony Garcia
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Brian Gallagher
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Brian Zygmunt
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Chris Varones
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Christopher Petrini-Poli
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Christopher Raub
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Claudia Saran
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
David Kucera
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
David Tracy
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Dean Bekas
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Dennis Crowley
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Donovan Pepper
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Edward Keller
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Frank Petito
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
George N. Panagakis
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Gregory Teegen
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Heather Albright
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
James Allegretti
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
James Jones
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
James Sheehan
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jason White
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jerry Prassas
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jim Convery
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jim Lentz
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
John Kavanaugh
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
John Keller
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
John McLaughlin
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
John Sikora
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jordan Curnes
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Joseph Dimberio
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Joy Walton
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kara Goodwin
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kerri Lin
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kevin Blitz
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kevin Callahan
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kevin McCarty
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Laura Van Peenan
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Mark Gertzof
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Mark McCarville
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Matthew Kennelly
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Michael Scolaro
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Nancy Peterman
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Scott Meyer
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Scott Williams
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Sean Meehan
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Steve Grimes
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Suzanne Martinez
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Suzanne Yoon
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Tamara Meyer
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Angela Cinefro
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jennifer Driscoll
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Karen Quirk
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michael Sharkey
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Tanja Babich
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Thomas Johannesen
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Yi Wei
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Carmen Ontiveros
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Adam Pollock
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Sameer Ghaznavi
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
David Hilger
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Ryan Grommes
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Vernis Barrier-Likes
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Daniel Quintana
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Daniel Tiemann
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Gerald Molidor
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Jason Dejonker
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Michael Sullivan
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Rona Borre
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Desiree Pepper-Venzant
Executive Di
On filings since 2019
$85K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Christian Cooley
Vice Chairman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
J. James O'Malley
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chairman, 2021
Vice Chairman → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kathy L. Clolinger
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Raymond Whearley
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Joshua E. Benjamin (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Dave Hilger (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jen Clune (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Shay Bahramirad (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Vernis Likes (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Alison Miller (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Thomas Jordan Curnes II (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Vee Likes (2021) — Director
- Former: Carmen Onitveros (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Joe Orlando (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Vernis Barrier (2020) — Director
- Former: Ernest Fiorante (2019) — Director
- Former: Jason Lovelace (2019) — Director
- Former: Joanne Campanile (2019) — Director
- Former: Jon Hinard (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
Frequently asked questions about HFS Chicago Scholars
How large is HFS Chicago Scholars?
HFS Chicago Scholars reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.0M.
What is HFS Chicago Scholars?
HFS Chicago Scholars is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $5.3M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does HFS Chicago Scholars operate?
HFS Chicago Scholars has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is HFS Chicago Scholars's EIN?
HFS Chicago Scholars's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3922345. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching HFS Chicago Scholars by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in HFS Chicago Scholars's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Helen V Brach Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Helen V Brach Foundation funds education, disability services, hunger relief, animal care and conservation, immigration justice, and religious education, with 84% of its 2025 grant dollars going to Illinois organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $150 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts requests from 501(c)(3) organizations; an application form is available upon request.
Assets
$128.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$6.8M
Red Bird Hollow Foundation
Lake Forest, IL
The Red Bird Hollow Foundation supports a range of charitable causes, including environmental conservation, music, education, and public policy. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $5,000, and most funding went to Illinois organizations. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
28
Total Given
$360K
The Cuneo Foundation
Vernon Hills, IL
The Cuneo Foundation funded needs-based scholarships at Illinois educational institutions, with at least 60% of annual grants required to support purposes associated with the Roman Catholic Church. In 2024, its 24 grants ranged from $24,000 to $50,000, with a median of $24,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and reports that it agreed to dissolve and transfer its assets to the Big Shoulders Foundation in 2024.
Assets
$12.7M
Grants
24
Total Given
$706K
Bernard Heerey Family Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Bernard Heerey Family Foundation supports charitable organizations, including programs for older adults and student scholarships. Its 2024 grants ranged from $24,000 to $334,931, with a median of about $126,000; nearly all funding went to Illinois, with a small share in Michigan. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$56.3M
Grants
26
Total Given
$3.7M
The Citadel Foundation
Miami, FL
The Citadel Foundation funds charitable organizations, including schools, higher education, and philanthropic organizations, with 2025 grants ranging from $1,000 to $4.5 million and a median grant of $15,000. Its grants went mainly to Virginia, followed by Florida, New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$53K
Grants
103
Total Given
$7.2M
The Polsky Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Polsky Foundation funds organizations working in areas including health, higher education, arts, youth services, and community support. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $2,293,698, with a median of $10,000; 96% of grant dollars went to Illinois recipients. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$63.5M
Grants
39
Total Given
$7.8M
Lavin Family Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Lavin Family Foundation funds health care, education, stronger families, and women’s advancement, supporting nonprofits and institutions; its 2024 grants had a median of $10,000, though awards ranged from $200 to $850,000. Giving is concentrated in Illinois, with additional grants in Louisiana and elsewhere. It accepts donation requests by letter, with no special form or submission deadline.
Assets
—
Grants
41
Total Given
$3.7M
Irish Fellowship Educational &
Western Springs, IL
The foundation funds need-based educational assistance for U.S. citizens of Irish heritage in the Chicago metro area, along with grants promoting cultural awareness. Its 2024 grants typically ranged from $6,000 to $12,500; all reported grants went to Illinois recipients. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$352K
Grants
43
Total Given
$269K
McKee Family Foundation
Chicago, IL
The McKee Family Foundation supports education, employment training, and community services, with 2025 grants ranging from $400 to $34,000 and a median of $5,000. Its giving is concentrated in Illinois, with additional grants in Colorado, North Carolina, Iowa, and Michigan. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$2.8M
Grants
43
Total Given
$349K
Big Shoulders Fund
Chicago, IL
Big Shoulders Fund supports underserved schools in Chicago and Northwest Indiana through scholarships, school operating and capital grants, academic enrichment, and educator leadership development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1.37 million, with a median of about $160,000; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the available information.
Assets
$152.1M
Grants
84
Total Given
$24.3M
Horner Foundation
Chicago, IL
Horner Foundation funds preselected charitable organizations across areas including conservation, legal aid, family services, education, and solar energy, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California and smaller amounts to Illinois and other states. Its 2024 grants had a median of $1,000, though amounts ranged from $100 to $620,161. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
—
Grants
85
Total Given
$730K
The Center for Education Reform
Washington, DC
The Center for Education Reform funds innovative U.S. education providers, including schools and programs serving underserved students, through the Yass Prize and related grants. Its 2022 awards ranged from $500,000 to $1.5 million, with a $1 million prize offered through its active accelerator; the profile says applicants can apply but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
114
Total Given
$26.1M
More Funders in Illinois
HFS Chicago Scholars down — hundreds of funders to go?