Illinois Equal Justice Foundation
The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. It funds nonprofit organizations providing civil legal aid, directing state funds to programs that help people address legal barriers involving housing, safety, employment, and benefits.
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation at a glance
In short: Illinois Equal Justice Foundation gave $13.9M across 54 grants in 2025 (avg $257K), mostly in Illinois. 11% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $13,892,634
- +4.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 54
- +10.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $257,271
- -5.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $49,705
- Total assets
- $11,284,574
- +6.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (6 of 54, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% 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 Illinois Equal Justice Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 24 E Washington St 875, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 481-6804
Website: https://iejf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Illinois Equal Justice Foundation
Civil Legal Aid Grants
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation
Amount
Varies by organization
Deadline
Deadline not published
Domestic Violence Legal Services: Legal Information for the Public
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Domestic Violence Legal Services: Self-Help Legal Assistance Projects Grant
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation
Amount
US $1,380,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Illinois Equal Justice Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Land of Lincoln Legal Aid ($4.1M). Together the top 10 received $11.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
215 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 102 grants of 215 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
IEJF’s grantmaking serves Illinois residents. Its website describes its civil legal aid work as addressing needs across Illinois, and 2025 filing data show that all reported grant dollars went to Illinois recipients. The grants include statewide services as well as services in particular regions and counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 54 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Illinois Equal Justice Foundation open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 54 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $40K; repeat grants $284K. How we count
Medians: $34K first-time, $63K 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 $5.1M (2021) to $13.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 54 grants totaling $13.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Land of Lincoln Legal Aid St. Louis, IL | To provide legal information, advice and representation to low-income people in 65 southern/Central counties including veterans, people impacted by the criminalization of cannabis and those impacted by housing instability due to the pandemic. | $4,068,346 |
| Prairie State Legal Services Rockford, IL | To provide legal information, advice and representation to low-income people in 36 northern/Central counties including veterans, people impacted by the criminalization of cannabis and those impacted by housing instability due to the pandemic. | $3,295,960 |
| Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for Legal Services Chicago, IL | To provide coordinated legal information, advice and referrals to low-income people in Cook county and to veterans and people impacted by the criminalization of cannabis statewide. To provide tech expertise on legal aid networks programs. | $1,026,020 |
| Legal Aid Chicago Chicago, IL | To provide legal information, advice and representation to low-income people, veterans and people impacted by the criminialization of cannabis and foreclosure in Cook county. | $743,289 |
| Dispute Resolution Institute Carbondale, IL | To provide mediation services for familiies in the 1st judicial circuit and to tenants, landlords and homeowners in housing disputes due to the pandemic in the 1st, 6th and 20th judicial circuits. | $579,013 |
| Metropolitan Family Serviceslegal Aid Society Chicago, IL | To provide legal information, advice and representation to low-income people impacted by housing instability and people impacted by the criminialization of cannabis in Cook county. | $347,968 |
| IL Legal Aid Online Chicago, IL | To provide legal information to the public statewide via a website; to provide specialized legal information and technological expertise for people impacted by the criminlization of cannabis as well as housing instability due to the pandemic. | $327,500 |
| Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Chicago, IL | To provide legal information, advice and representation to low-income people and veterans in Cook county. | $269,284 |
| Greater Chicago Legal Clinic Chicago, IL | To provide legal information, advice and representation to low-income people and people impacted by the criminialization of cannabis in Cook county. | $264,946 |
| North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Highland Park, IL | To provide legal information, advice and representation to those impacted by housing instability due to the pandemic. | $237,522 |
Ready to take the next step with Illinois Equal Justice Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,284,574 | $15,525,459 | $14,966,757 | $13,892,634 | 54 | $86,987 |
| 2024 | $10,634,259 | $14,626,159 | $14,305,194 | $13,351,622 | 49 | $102,536 |
| 2023 | $10,852,879 | $14,304,848 | $13,089,609 | $12,055,598 | 37 | $46,813 |
| 2022 | $9,055,531 | $13,205,429 | $10,715,854 | $9,822,964 | 38 | $1,803 |
| 2021 | $5,170,555 | $7,354,126 | $5,604,469 | $5,074,212 | 37 | $1,639 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
IEJF’s mission, as stated in its 2023 filing, is to fund civil legal aid in Illinois and champion the rights of people burdened by barriers to justice. Its website describes support for legal representation, public legal information and forms, legal aid hotlines, self-help centers, and mediation. Its grantmaking includes civil legal aid, the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network, Eviction Help Illinois, and New Leaf Illinois.
IEJF supports both large organizations providing a range of legal aid services and community-based groups. Its 2025 grants show support for services involving low-income people, veterans, housing instability, cannabis-related convictions, and mediation. For example, Prairie State Legal Services describes its mission as providing or coordinating free civil legal services for low-income individuals, families, and groups. The Dispute Resolution Institute says it helps people in conflict find common ground and reach agreements. Illinois Legal Aid Online says it educates Illinoisans about their rights and connects them with lawyers, solutions, and one another.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, IEJF reported 54 grants totaling $13,892,634. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $4,068,346, with a median of $49,705. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois.
The largest reported awards included $4,068,346 to Land of Lincoln Legal Aid for legal information, advice, and representation for low-income people in southern and central Illinois; $3,295,960 to Prairie State Legal Services for legal services in northern and central Illinois; and $1,026,020 to the Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for legal information, advice, and referrals, including statewide services for veterans and people affected by cannabis criminalization. Other notable 2025 grants included $743,289 to Legal Aid Chicago, $579,013 to the Dispute Resolution Institute, and $327,500 to Illinois Legal Aid Online.
For Civil Legal Aid grants, IEJF lists five categories: legal information for the public, self-help legal assistance projects, mediation services, telephone advice and referral services, and civil legal assistance. Its FY27 grant page states a total of $4.25 million for the grants. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), serve Illinois residents in an eligible category, and provide services to low-income people free or on a sliding scale. The page defines low-income as household income up to 150% of federal poverty guidelines; legal information for the public, self-help legal assistance, and mediation must be free. Applicants must submit current FY27 Organizational Assurances through IEJF’s grantmaking software. Separate applications are required for each category in which an organization seeks support. The Board may also request proposals for research, training, or technical assistance.
IEJF’s guidelines state that state-appropriated funds may not be spent on sectarian purposes, lobbying, or certain political, labor, protest, and investigative or legal-compliance activities related to pending disputes. No more than 15% of an award may be used for overhead. Grant payments are scheduled for December, April, and June, subject to state funding and IEJF’s receipt and acceptance of the mid-year report.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Keith E Emmons as president and Tobin Taylor as vice president. Directors listed include Karim Basaria, Hon Patti Bellock, Shanin Farmer, Lydia Bueschel, Lauren Meachum, Nannette Fosen, and Nathan B Hinch. Suheily Natal Davis is listed as secretary.
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation is led by Leslie Corbett Chenoweth, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 21 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Leslie Corbett Chenoweth
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$131K (2021) → $143K (2025)
Keith E. Emmons
President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Faiq Mihlar
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gray Mateo-Harris
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth M. Kirkwood
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Meachum
Director
President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nannette Fosen
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan B. Hinch
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shanin Farmer
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Viviana Martinez
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Schoenberg
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patti Bellock
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karim Basaria
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisbeth Leanos
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lydia Bueschel
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Ruiz
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyrone Thomas
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William S. Meckes
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sook Lee
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suheily Natal Davis
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tobin Taylor
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Dorothy G Capers (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Harold B. Oakley (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Kendric Cobb (2021–2024) — President
- Former: Nicholas A. Gowen (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Cristina Nutzman (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Ryan Gammelgard (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Allison Zidek (2023–2024) — Finance Director
- Former: Kathleen Gerdes (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: The Honorable Patti Bellock (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Honorable Jeffrey Schoenberg (2022) — Director
- Former: Gery Chico (2021) — Director
- Former: Michael A Wilder (2021) — Director · Filing note: Resigned 060821
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 $143K, to Leslie Corbett Chenoweth (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Illinois Equal Justice Foundation
How much does Illinois Equal Justice Foundation give each year?
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation gave $13.9M across 54 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $13.4M across 49 grants.
What is Illinois Equal Justice Foundation's typical grant size?
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $49,705, and its average grant was $257,271, across 54 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Illinois Equal Justice Foundation that year got $40K on average.
Where does Illinois Equal Justice Foundation give grants?
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (42 grants).
Does Illinois Equal Justice Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 54 grants with a stated purpose on Illinois Equal Justice Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Illinois Equal Justice Foundation's largest grantees?
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Land of Lincoln Legal Aid ($4,068,346), Prairie State Legal Services ($3,295,960) and Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for Legal Services ($1,026,020), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Illinois Equal Justice Foundation?
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation reported $11.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $15.5M.
What does Illinois Equal Justice Foundation fund?
IEJF’s mission, as stated in its 2023 filing, is to fund civil legal aid in Illinois and champion the rights of people burdened by barriers to justice. Its website describes support for legal representation, public legal information and forms, legal aid hotlines, self-help centers, and mediation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Illinois Equal Justice Foundation?
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check iejf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Illinois Equal Justice Foundation's EIN?
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1188469. 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 December 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Illinois Equal Justice Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Illinois Equal Justice Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/illinois-equal-justice-foundation-morg_595ca43c1bd8493a81cbde19790ffc4d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_371188469_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Illinois Equal Justice Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/illinois-equal-justice-foundation-morg_595ca43c1bd8493a81cbde19790ffc4d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Illinois Equal Justice Foundation'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.
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?