Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is a membership organization and public policy nonprofit based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1997 by then Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and leading mayors from nine suburban municipal groups, the organization represents the Chicago region's 275 cities, towns, and villages. The Caucus functions as a collaborative forum for the region's chief elected officials to address common public policy issues and multi-jurisdictional challenges while working toward improving quality of life across metropolitan Chicago.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.2M
+53.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$33.8M
+24938.4% YoY
Grant Count
27
+80.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.3M
+13810.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Caucus provides a forum through which the chief elected officials of the region cooperatively develop consensus on common public policy issues and multi-jurisdictional challenges. With a foundation of collaboration and consensus-based decision-making, it serves multiple functions for partner organizations and local governments.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Energy efficiency and clean energy policy
- Housing and community development
- Environmental initiatives and sustainability
- Public safety
- Aging-in-community
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Water resource protection
- Electronic waste disposal
- Climate action
Grantmaking
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus administers several grant programs in collaboration with regional partners:
Ready to take the next step with Metropolitan Mayors Caucus?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's primary geographic focus is the Chicago metropolitan region and northeastern Illinois, serving the region's 275 municipalities. Grant programs specifically target local governments in northeastern Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $1,179,321 (2024)
- Total Revenues: $35,612,551 (2024)
- Total Expenses: $35,287,148 (2024)
- Total Giving: $33,902,067
- Annual Revenue: $1,855,413 (organizational operations)
- Employees: 9 staff members
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,179,321 | $767,725 | $763,496 |
| Revenue | $35,612,551 | $1,186,813 | $1,212,220 |
| Expenses | $35,287,148 | $1,262,757 | $1,227,319 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
104 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Neil C. James – Executive Director
Mark Kownick – Executive Board Member
Edith Makra – Director of Environmental Initiatives
Cheryl Scott – Senior Sustainability Specialist
Nancy Firfer – Senior Advisor
Ben Schnelle – Manager of Housing Initiatives
Tori Woolbright – Energy Efficiency Outreach Specialist
Juliet Mathey – Recycling Education & Outreach Specialist
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEVIN BURNS | EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| BRANDON JOHNSON | EXECUTIVE 1ST VICE CHAIRMA | 2 | — |
| NANCY ROTERING | EXECUTIVE 2ND VICE CHAIRMA | 2 | — |
| JOHN NOAK | EXECUTIVE BOARD SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| JEFFREY SHERWIN | EXECUTIVE TREASURER | 2 | — |
| JOSEPH A MARCHESE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DONALD SCHMIT JR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JEFFERY SCHIELKE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| VERNARD ALSBERRY JR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GERALD BENNETT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SYDNEY HOLMAN | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GARY GRASSO | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RICHARD MACK | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KEVIN BURNS | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KAREN DARCH | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DANIEL SHAPIRO | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RICHARD REINBOLD | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ROBERT STRAZ | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOSEPH TAMBURINO | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOSEPH ROUDEZ III | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| NEIL JAMES | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $165,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Caucus has been active in administering grant programs and supporting municipal initiatives:
$1.3 Million Grant Made to Metropolitan Mayors CaucusAwarded Low-Income Energy Efficiency Outreach & Engagement Grants to multiple municipalities
Low-Income Energy Efficiency Outreach & Engagement Grants ...Opened applications for the 2026 Powering Safe Communities Grant Program
Applications Open for the 2026 Powering Safe Communities ProgramCollaborated with ComEd to award grants for local public safety and clean energy projects
Low-Income Energy Efficiency Outreach & Engagement Grants ...Received a $1.3 million grant to help develop solutions to Chicago's regional issues
$1.3 Million Grant Made to Metropolitan Mayors CaucusHeld Environment and Energy Committee meetings addressing topics including whole home electric programs, the Greenest Region Compact, resident engagement on sustainability, and the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act
Low-Income Energy Efficiency Outreach & Engagement Grants ...Contact Information
Address: 433 W. Van Buren St., Suite 450, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 312-201-4505
Fax: 312-258-1851
Website: mayorscaucus.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Fostering Success
WAYNE, IL
Assets
$38K
Grants
1
Total Given
$2K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Metropolitan Mayors Caucus on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities