Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging
Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging (NIAAA) is a public charity based in Rockford, Illinois. It develops and administers an area plan for aging services and supports access to services for older adults, adults with disabilities, and their families across nine northwestern Illinois counties.
Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging at a glance
In short: Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging gave $10.0M across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $834K), mostly in Illinois. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $10,004,491
- +21.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $833,708
- +21.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $276,395
- Total assets
- $3,255,460
- +57.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- 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 Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging
- Contact
Mailing address: 1111 South Alpine Road Suite 600, Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: (815) 226-4901
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lifescape Community Services ($5.4M). Together the top 10 received $9.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
58 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 27 grants of 58 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NIAAA serves Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago Counties. Its 2025 filing reports that all grant dollars went to Illinois recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 12 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5.1M (2019) to $10.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $10.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lifescape Community Services Rockford, IL | Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers | $5,374,901 |
| Northwestern Illinois Community Freeport, IL | Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers | $1,760,335 |
| Voluntary Action Center of Dekalb County Sycamore, IL | Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers | $632,221 |
| Senior Resource Center Freeport, IL | Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers | $417,826 |
| Catholic Charities Dioses of Rockford Rockford, IL | Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers | $406,406 |
| Rock River Center Oregon, IL | Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers | $284,567 |
| Lee County Council on Aging Dixon, IL | Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers | $268,223 |
| Whiteside County Senior Center Sterling, IL | Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers | $252,919 |
| Elder Care Services of Dekalb County Dekalb, IL | Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers | $208,450 |
| Boone County Council on Aging Belvidere, IL | Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers | $193,455 |
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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 | $3,255,460 | $11,943,580 | $11,957,195 | $10,004,491 | 12 | $33,154 |
| 2024 | $2,067,426 | $9,305,099 | $9,302,002 | $8,210,345 | 12 | $29,841 |
| 2023 | $1,964,284 | $10,133,617 | $10,063,799 | $7,092,715 | 12 | $53,259 |
| 2022 | $2,892,946 | $8,602,840 | $8,570,008 | $6,126,699 | 10 | $5,801 |
| 2021 | $1,728,698 | $8,905,917 | $8,917,745 | $7,715,106 | 12 | $95 |
| 2020 | $1,014,513 | $6,539,833 | $6,545,946 | $5,645,010 | 14 | $4,983 |
| 2019 | $1,274,694 | $5,961,754 | $5,964,913 | $5,112,991 | 14 | $12,765 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NIAAA’s stated mission is “to enable older persons to live in dignity and independence.” Its website also describes a commitment to helping older adults, people with disabilities aged 18 to 59, and their families access services that promote healthy aging, independence, and well-being.
In its 2025 filing, NIAAA reported 12 grants, each with the purpose “services benefiting seniors and caregivers.” The 2024 filing describes the organization’s area plan as a planning, management, and funding document that assesses needs, identifies long-range issues, sets funding priorities, and outlines state and local initiatives.
Several 2025 recipients are local aging and community-service organizations. Lifescape Community Services’ stated mission emphasizes affordable nutrition and related services, particularly for the aging population. Rock River Center describes its work as providing resources, activities, and services to improve quality of life for Ogle County older adults, caregivers, and the wider community. Lee County Council on Aging says it serves Lee County residents and helps seniors maintain optimal levels of function. Elder Care Services of DeKalb describes its mission as promoting the welfare and well-being of senior citizens and their families in DeKalb County.
Grantmaking
NIAAA reported $10,004,491 in grants across 12 recipients in filing year 2025. The grants ranged from $60,000 to $5,374,901, with a median grant of $276,395. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois.
The largest reported grants were $5,374,901 to Lifescape Community Services in Rockford; $1,760,335 to Northwestern Illinois Community in Freeport; $632,221 to Voluntary Action Center of DeKalb County in Sycamore; and $417,826 to Senior Resource Center in Freeport. Other listed awards included $406,406 to Catholic Charities Dioceses of Rockford, $284,567 to Rock River Center, and $268,223 to Lee County Council on Aging. Each grant was reported for services benefiting seniors and caregivers.
NIAAA’s website provides a Service Provider Manual and required outcome questions for providers in its network, with guidance on compliance, program standards, reporting, and service delivery.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
NIAAA’s website says its work is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and an Advisory Council. The 2025 filing lists Elaine M. Sharpe as president, Linda Niemiec as vice president, Jeff Henderson as treasurer, and Alyson Broman Conn, Gloria Valdivia, Cheryl Davis, Stuart Gaines, Ann Haas, Lisa Novak, and Grant Nyhammer as board members. The filing lists Nyhammer as executive director with an end date of December 31, 2024. A 2025 public information document identifies Jeffrey Barnes as executive director.
Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging is led by Grant Nyhammer, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 3 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Grant Nyhammer
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$111K (2019) → $139K (2025)
Jeffrey Barnes
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$71K (2025)
Elaine M. Sharpe
President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leisa Naff
Deputy Director
Deputy Director & CFO → Deputy Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$77K (2019) → $96K (2025)
Jeff Henderson
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alyson Broman Conn
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Niemiec
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Haas
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Davis
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gloria Valdivia
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Novak
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Gaines
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Carol Klint (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Shore (2019–2024) — Vice President
- Former: Wendy Larson Bennet (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jeff Salisbury (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Yohanes Honu (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Donna Bausman (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jeffrey Salisbury (2022–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Edward Mulvaney (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Scott Cochrane (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Stanger (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jared L. Kresge (2019) — Board Member
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 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $139K, to Grant Nyhammer (Executive DIRECTOR(END 12/31/2024)). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging
How much does Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging give each year?
Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging gave $10.0M across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $8.2M across 12 grants.
What is Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging's typical grant size?
Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging's median grant in 2025 was $276,395, and its average grant was $833,708, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging give grants?
Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging 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 Rockford, IL (3 grants) and Freeport, IL (2 grants).
Does Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Services Benefiting Seniors and Caregivers" (12 grants).
Who are Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging's largest grantees?
Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging's largest 2025 grantees include Lifescape Community Services ($5,374,901), Northwestern Illinois Community ($1,760,335) and Voluntary Action Center of Dekalb County ($632,221), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging?
Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging reported $3.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.9M.
What does Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging fund?
NIAAA’s stated mission is “to enable older persons to live in dignity and independence.” Its website also describes a commitment to helping older adults, people with disabilities aged 18 to 59, and their families access services that promote healthy aging, independence, and well-being. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging?
Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging's EIN?
Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2742719. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/northwestern-il-area-agency-on-aging-morg_d1ac91b828f74c3eae57ec678411defe
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_362742719_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/northwestern-il-area-agency-on-aging-morg_d1ac91b828f74c3eae57ec678411defe},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. 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 Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging'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.
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