Illinois Opportunity Project
The Illinois Opportunity Project is an organization that participates in public policy by identifying policies driven by liberty and free enterprise and then educating the public about those policy choices and advocating for those policy choices.
Illinois Opportunity Project at a glance
- Total assets
- $175,186
- -84.7% vs 2022
- Expenses (2023)
- $963,988
- -21.2% vs 2022
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who Illinois Opportunity Project funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 5 (40%).
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2021) to $1.7M (2020). In 2021 it reported $2K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Say No to More Taxes-Committee Id 36099 Chicago, IL | Support organization that embraces public policy rooted in the principles of liberty | $995,000 |
| Citizens for Judicial Fairness-Committee Id 36189 Naperville, IL | Support organization that embraces public policy rooted in the principles of liberty | $350,000 |
| Common Sense for the Common Good-Committee Id 36156 Herndon, VA | Support organization that embraces public policy rooted in the principles of liberty | $325,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Illinois Opportunity Project?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $175,186 | — | $963,988 | — | — | — |
| 2022 | $1,141,982 | $2,300,026 | $1,223,776 | — | — | $1 |
| 2021 | $58,656 | $185,586 | $862,716 | $2,000 | Total only | $62 |
| 2020 | $733,912 | $4,855,585 | $4,418,917 | $1,670,000 | 3 | $146 |
| 2019 | $303,014 | $1,535,179 | $1,451,506 | $38,200 | 2 | $179 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Illinois Opportunity Project
Based on IRS filings
Illinois Opportunity Project is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $175K in total assets.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Illinois Opportunity Project is led by Matthew Besler, Chairman & Director since 2022 (on filings since 2019); 3 of 4 officers listed in 2023 are compensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Matthew Besler
Chairman & Director
Director & President → Chairman, 2020
Chairman → Chairman & Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
30 hrs/week
$305K (2019) → $225K (2023)
Patrick Hughes
Treasurer & Director
Director & Secretary → Treasurer, 2020
Treasurer → Treasurer & Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
$132K (2021) → $192K (2023)
Marilyn Smolenski
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Cavers
Vice President
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$193K (2020) → $153K (2023)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Brian Burch (2019–2021) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $225K, to Matthew Besler (Chairman/Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Illinois Opportunity Project
How large is Illinois Opportunity Project?
Illinois Opportunity Project reported $175K in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990.
What is Illinois Opportunity Project?
Illinois Opportunity Project is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $175K in total assets as of 2023.
Where does Illinois Opportunity Project operate?
Illinois Opportunity Project has awarded grants in Illinois, Virginia.
What is Illinois Opportunity Project's EIN?
Illinois Opportunity Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3627386. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 15, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2023
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Illinois Opportunity Project's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Illinois
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Illinois Opportunity Project'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 Opportunity Project down — hundreds of funders to go?