Illinois Restaurant Association
Founded in 1914, the Illinois Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois.
Illinois Restaurant Association at a glance
In short: Illinois Restaurant Association gave $50K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $50K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $50,000
- -85.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $50,000
- -85.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $5,562,809
- +1.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 2026.
Who Illinois Restaurant Association funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Chicago Gourmet LLC ($50K).
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 2 grants of 4 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2025) to $339K (2024). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $50K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Gourmet LLC Chicago, IL | Tourism and Marketing Grant | $50,000 |
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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 | $5,562,809 | $3,765,748 | $3,693,686 | $50,000 | 1 | $273,201 |
| 2024 | $5,488,583 | $4,002,169 | $3,889,673 | $338,550 | 1 | $268,682 |
| 2023 | $5,628,640 | $3,999,453 | $3,831,302 | $306,642 | 1 | $238,563 |
| 2022 | $5,572,583 | $3,419,281 | $3,234,113 | — | — | $233,114 |
| 2021 | $4,128,802 | $3,480,810 | $2,871,408 | $100,000 | 1 | $151,092 |
| 2020 | $3,241,134 | $2,379,578 | $2,314,808 | — | — | $-45,958 |
About Illinois Restaurant Association
Based on IRS filings
Illinois Restaurant Association is a public charity, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $50K. Net investment income was $273K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Illinois Restaurant Association is led by Sam Toia, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 5 of 39 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sam Toia
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
60 hrs/week
$269K (2020) → $417K (2025)
Scott Weiner
Chair
Second Vice Chairman → First Vice Chairman, 2024
First Vice Chairman → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Wilkie
Director of Education
On filings since 2020
60 hrs/week
$107K (2020) → $137K (2025)
Bill Carlson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Billy Lawless Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brad Maher
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Connor
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Doney
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Bennett
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Boehm
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Menna
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Telesky
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Wartan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tony Priolo
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Williams
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Conn
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Raskin
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Durpetti
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Faraz Sardharia
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Korina Sanchez
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Thompson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Gewanter
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christina Gonzalez
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mario Ponce
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim McGrail
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Aschemann
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Hill
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dandre Carter
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ethan Samson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Walz
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jean Schmid
Vice President of Finance & Administration
Vice President of Finance & Administration → Vice President of Finance, 2024
Vice President of Finance → Vice President of Finance & Administration, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$111K (2020) → $194K (2025)
Mary Kay Bonoma
Chief Operating Officer
Executive Vice President → Chief Operating Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$224K (2020) → $362K (2025)
Leslie Delworth
Vice President of Special Events
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$154K (2024) → $178K (2025)
Carmen Rossi
Corporate Security
Director → Corporate Security, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Hartenstein
Immediate Past Chairman
First Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2024
Chairman → Immediate Past Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carin Stutz
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Clodagh Lawless
Second Vice Chairman
Director → Corporate Secretary, 2024
Corporate Secretary → Second Vice Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deanna Chang
Assistant Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Assistant Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Liz Lombardo
First Vice Chair
Corporate Secretary → Second Vice Chairman, 2024
Second Vice Chairman → First Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Donnie Madia (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Ed Hebson (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Kevin Vaughan (2020–2024) — Immediate Past Chairman
- Former: Scott Schupbach (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Marishonta Wilkerson (2024) — Director
- Former: Chris Bisaillon (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Derrick Taylor (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Hank Meyer (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Meg Sahs (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sam Sanchez (2020–2023) — Immediate Past Chairman
- Former: Christine Desousa (2023) — Director of Membership
- Former: Elizabeth Lombardo-Stark (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Mike Olszewski (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Terry Brick (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tj Callahan (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Gregory Schulson (2021–2022) — Immediate Past Chairman
- Former: Erik Baylis (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Tj Birkel (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Bill Sianis (2020) — Director
- Former: Gina Novak (2020) — Director
- Former: Greg Rief (2020) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Greg Schulson (2020) — Chairman
- Former: Jim Kallas (2020) — Immediate Past Chairman
- Former: Stacey Loukas (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $417K, to Sam Toia (President & CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Illinois Restaurant Association
How much does Illinois Restaurant Association give each year?
Illinois Restaurant Association gave $50K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $339K across 1 grant.
How large is Illinois Restaurant Association?
Illinois Restaurant Association reported $5.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.8M.
Where does Illinois Restaurant Association operate?
Illinois Restaurant Association has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Illinois Restaurant Association's EIN?
Illinois Restaurant Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-0904760. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 17, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
Patricia Miller Anton
Las Vegas, NV
The foundation supports restaurant-industry education, arts and education, and community, charitable, medical, and environmental organizations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $26,000, with a median of $1,000, and primarily went to organizations in Washington, DC, New York, Michigan, and Illinois. It funds only preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$15K
Grants
11
Total Given
$57K
Isadore & Sadie Dorin Foundation Inc
Los Angeles, CA
Assets
$4.3M
Grants
12
Total Given
$13K
The Emeril Lagasse Foundation
New Orleans, LA
The Emeril Lagasse Foundation funds youth-focused culinary, nutrition, and arts education, life-skills development, food access, and related school programs, primarily through nonprofits and schools. Its 2025 grants ranged from $7,500 to $230,000, with a median of $32,250; it gives nationally, with preference for communities where board and advisory members live and work. Community Grants are invitation-only, but eligible organizations may submit a concept paper; the profile does not state whether other programs accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.5M
Grants
24
Total Given
$1.2M
Jerold a & Ruth L Hecktman Family
Skokie, IL
Assets
$639K
Grants
35
Total Given
$52K
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
Washington, DC
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation funds education, training, scholarships, and career pathways in restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality, including ProStart and employment programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $7,500 to $217,014, with a median of $26,304; individual scholarships generally range from $2,500 to $10,000. Its programs operate nationally, and whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$42.4M
Grants
71
Total Given
$3.3M
Journey for Good Foundation Inc
Bethesda, MD
Journey For Good Foundation supports nonprofits addressing poverty through food and nutrition, housing and homelessness, education, workforce development—especially hospitality jobs—and services for veterans and their families. Its 2025 grants ranged from $15,000 to $100,000, with a $25,000 median, for organizations in the United States and Canada. It accepts applications from outside organizations on set cycles, with one application per organization per calendar year.
Assets
$931K
Grants
103
Total Given
$2.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
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Figures come from Illinois Restaurant Association'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 Restaurant Association down — hundreds of funders to go?