Open Communities
To eradicate housing discrimination and unjust practices that perpetuate segregation and inequity, and to foster thriving, inclusive communities through fair housing enforcement, housing counseling, education, outreach, and advocacy.
Open Communities at a glance
In short: Open Communities gave $185K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $185K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $185,000
- +54.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $185,000
- +54.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $185,000
- Total assets
- $1,200,944
- -20.7% 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 September 2026.
Who Open Communities funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Partners for Affordable H ($185K).
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 2 grants of 2 (100%).
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 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $120K (2024) to $185K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $185K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Partners for Affordable H Libertyville, IL | — | $185,000 |
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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 | $1,200,944 | $1,194,317 | $1,402,372 | $185,000 | 1 | $35,815 |
| 2024 | $1,514,155 | $1,112,147 | $1,329,732 | $120,000 | 1 | $46,657 |
| 2023 | $1,845,541 | $1,219,454 | $1,215,294 | — | — | $23,014 |
| 2022 | $1,402,303 | $2,117,252 | $1,131,444 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | $512,117 | $989,534 | $805,857 | — | — | $5,606 |
| 2020 | $258,320 | $766,092 | $731,289 | — | — | — |
| 2019 | $197,208 | $683,238 | $652,727 | — | — | $34 |
About Open Communities
Based on IRS filings
Open Communities is a public charity focused on Housing & Shelter, based in Evanston, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $185K. Net investment income was $36K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Open Communities is led by Herbert Brenner, President since 2025 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 10 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Herbert Brenner
President
Vice President & Co Treasurer → Co-President, 2024
Co-President → President, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Golder
Director
Co-President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Grace Miya
Director
Directpr → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roger Williams
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rose Shapiro
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Helen Cho
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Lawrence
Former CEO
CEO → Former CEO, 2025
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$130K (2023) → $130K (2025)
Adam Klingher
Treasurer
General Staf → Director, 2020
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Love
Secretary
General Staf → Director, 2020
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Flores
Vice President
Director → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Connie Berman (2024) — Director
- Former: Emily Mueller (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Erica Page Muhammad (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Frank Clements (2019–2023) — Co President
- Former: Joanne Rogers (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Katari Henderson (2022–2023) — Co-Treasurer
- Former: Alisa Kaplan (2019–2021) — Co-President
- Former: Lisa Miceli (2021) — Director
- Former: Bobby Burns (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Mary Ellen Ball (2020) — Executive Di
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 $130K, to Cheryl Lawrence (Former CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Open Communities
How much does Open Communities give each year?
Open Communities gave $185K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $120K across 1 grant.
How large is Open Communities?
Open Communities reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What is Open Communities?
Open Communities is a public charity focused on Housing & Shelter, based in Evanston, IL. It holds $1.2M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Open Communities operate?
Open Communities has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Open Communities's EIN?
Open Communities's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2934709. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 18, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
Live grants for the work Open Communities funds
Housing & Shelter Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Open Communities's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
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Elks National Foundation Inc
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Assets
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More similar funders
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Open Communities down — hundreds of funders to go?