Skills for Chicago
Skills for Chicago is a Chicago-based public charity focused on connecting underrepresented job seekers with employers and career opportunities. It offers job seekers career support and employer connections, and works with employers and community partners to address barriers to hiring and expand access to employment.
Skills for Chicago at a glance
- Total assets
- $4,982,749
- -34.0% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $4,978,774
- -60.1% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $105,215
- +206.2% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $7,949,563
- -9.9% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Skills for Chicago
- Contact
Mailing address: 205 N Wacker Drive Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 906-7200
Website: https://skillsforchicago.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Skills for Chicago funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 31 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Skills for Chicago describes its core work as serving job seekers in Chicago, particularly communities on the South and West Sides. Its website lists career-service locations in Chicago’s Loop, Englewood, North Lawndale, and Gage Park. Its 2023 grants included organizations in Chicago and elsewhere, including Phoenix, Arizona, and Alexandria, Virginia. The 2024 filing also reports affiliates launched in Rhode Island, Phoenix, and Atlanta through its national expansion initiative.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
How Skills for Chicago gives
- 86% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2023). 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 2022 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $445K (2023) to $501K (2022). In 2023 it made 14 grants totaling $445K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation Phoenix, AZ | National Expansion Skills Matching Grant | $150,000 |
| Chicago Urban League Chicago, IL | Community Based Organization Collective Member Compensation | $49,500 |
| Instituto Del Progresso Latino Chicago, IL | Community Based Organization Collective Member Compensation | $40,500 |
| YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | Community Based Organization Collective Member Compensation | $40,000 |
| Cara Program Chicago, IL | Community Based Organization Collective Member Compensation | $33,000 |
| North Lawndale Employment Network Chicago, IL | Community Based Organization Collective Member Compensation | $25,500 |
| Heartland Alliance International LLC Chicago, IL | Community Based Organization Collective Member Compensation | $24,500 |
| Uhlich Childrens Advantage Network Chicago, IL | Community Based Organization Collective Member Compensation | $17,500 |
| Central States Ser Jobs for Progress Inc Chicago, IL | Community Based Organization Collective Member Compensation | $15,500 |
| Virginia Ready Initiative Alexandria, VA | National Expansion Exploratory Stipend | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Skills for Chicago?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,982,749 | $4,978,774 | $7,949,563 | — | — | $105,215 |
| 2023 | $7,548,520 | $12,476,804 | $8,825,429 | $445,000 | 14 | $34,367 |
| 2022 | $4,306,365 | $6,395,413 | $9,550,116 | $500,750 | 17 | $8,024 |
| 2021 | $6,984,801 | $8,975,489 | $7,066,977 | — | — | $4,092 |
| 2020 | $5,035,150 | $6,151,967 | $5,586,303 | — | — | $5,686 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Skills for Chicago’s mission is to connect underrepresented job seekers with employers offering opportunities across industries. Its work includes helping people prepare for and secure jobs, connecting participants to training and credentials, and providing support intended to help people stay in their jobs. The organization says most of its candidates come from disinvested communities on Chicago’s South and West Sides.
The 2024 filing describes a credential and career coaching program for unemployed and underemployed people pursuing middle-skill roles. It includes support for people nearing completion of training, as well as career pathways that connect participants to education, entry-level work experience, and middle-skill opportunities. The filing also describes a national expansion initiative, Skills for America’s Future, with affiliates launched in Rhode Island, Phoenix, and Atlanta. The Community Based Organization Collective, co-founded with Cara Collective in 2021, ended in January 2025; the board determined it had fulfilled its mission, with collaboration continuing through existing programs.
Skills for Chicago’s 2023 grants included organizations whose stated missions span workforce development, economic empowerment, and community services. For example, the Chicago Urban League says it works to foster economic empowerment, cultivate leadership, and dismantle systemic barriers for Black Chicago; North Lawndale Employment Network says it works to improve North Lawndale residents’ earnings potential through employment initiatives; and Virginia Ready Initiative says it helps Virginians gain skills and resources for a competitive job market. Other 2023 recipients included the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Heartland Alliance International, Metropolitan Family Services, and Phalanx Family Services.
Grantmaking
The 2024 filing reports no grants. In 2023, Skills for Chicago reported 14 grants totaling $445,000, an average of about $31,786 per grant. In 2022, it reported 17 grants totaling $500,750, an average of about $29,456 per grant.
Named 2023 grants included $150,000 to Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, $49,500 to Chicago Urban League, $40,000 to YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, $25,500 to North Lawndale Employment Network, $24,500 to Heartland Alliance International, $15,000 to Virginia Ready Initiative, $7,500 to Metropolitan Family Services, and $5,500 to Phalanx Family Services.
The organization’s website describes donations that support job-seeker services, such as coaching, workshops, and employer connections. Those participant services are not described as grants for outside applicants. The available information does not specify an application process, required materials, restrictions, or a deadline for outside grant applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bridget Altenburg as chief executive officer. Directors listed are Manika Turnbull, director and chair; Michael Bonds, director and treasurer; Jeff Bilek; Carolyn Booth; John Challenger; Adonis Clark; Christina Corley; Gillian Darlow; and Andy Eichfeld.
Skills for Chicago is led by Bridget Altenburg, Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 6 of 35 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bridget Altenburg
Chief Executive Officer
President & CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$175K (2023) → $350K (2024)
Pamela Tully
President & Chief Program Officer
Chief Program Officer → President & Chief Program Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$190K (2022) → $216K (2024)
Manika Turnbull
Director & Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2023
Director & Vice Chair → Director & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andy Eichfeld
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Booth
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Freedman
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Stevenson
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gillian Darlow
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Bilek
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Challenger
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Manthey
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Malaika Myers
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Kendall
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Bonds
Director & Treasurer
Treasurer → Director & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rich Floersch
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yvonne Franzese
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claudia Saran
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sammy Patel
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Audrey Williams-Lee
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christina Corley
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Corliss Gardner
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dianna Sparacino
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Arbin Smith
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael A. Wilder
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Srron Graham
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adonis Clark
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cory White
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Kammer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Gamba
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gina Stuart
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juatise Gathings
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Dunseth
Vice President, Business Operations & Employer Engagement
Vice President Business Development → Vice President & Business Development, 2022
Vice President & Business Development → Vice President, Business Operations & Employer Engagement, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$138K (2020) → $169K (2024)
Tabatha Cobb
Vice President & Programs
Senior Director of Talent Acq. → Vice President & Programs, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$151K (2023) → $165K (2024)
Katherine Hermann Stone
Vice President & External Affairs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$151K (2024)
Mayra Alarcon
Vice President & National Expansion
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$143K (2024)
Former officers (36)
- Former: Amy E. Best (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Daniel Cervantes (2020–2023) — Senior Vice President & Strategic Initiatives
- Former: Dennis Berger (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Eileen Mitchell (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Heidi Capozzi (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Marie T. Lynch (2020–2023) — President & CEO - Former
- Former: Mark S. Hoplamazian (2020–2023) — Director & Chair
- Former: Melissa Donaldson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Seema Kathuria (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kyle Clauss (2021–2023) — Vice President, Marketing & Communications
- Former: Rob Ritchie (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Anita Ryan (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Kathi Moore (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Michelle Conklin (2023) — Director
- Former: Bevin Desmond (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Hofstetter (2020–2022) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Hillary Bochniak (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Keith Wyche (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kirsten Powers (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President, Development & Sustainability
- Former: Sudi Bjornstad Korba (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Marcos Deleon (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Bob Hanley (2022) — Director
- Former: Ayom Siengo (2020–2021) — Vice President Community & Strategic Partnerships
- Former: Chris Corley (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Derek Douglas (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Adefioye (2020–2021) — Director - Term
- Former: Hillary Leisten (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeff Childs (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kenyatta Young (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mark Hacker (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mike Scimo (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Patrick Beharelle (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: William Luehrs (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Rob McCloskey (2020) — Vice President, Finance & Administration
- Former: Terry Peterson (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Wendy Lewis (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $350K, to Bridget Altenburg (Chief Executive Officer). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Skills for Chicago
How large is Skills for Chicago?
Skills for Chicago reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.0M.
What does Skills for Chicago fund?
Skills for Chicago’s mission is to connect underrepresented job seekers with employers offering opportunities across industries. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Skills for Chicago?
Skills for Chicago has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check skillsforchicago.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Skills for Chicago make grants?
Skills for Chicago describes its core work as serving job seekers in Chicago, particularly communities on the South and West Sides. Its website lists career-service locations in Chicago’s Loop, Englewood, North Lawndale, and Gage Park. Its 2023 grants included organizations in Chicago and elsewhere, including Phoenix, Arizona, and Alexandria, Virginia.
What is Skills for Chicago's EIN?
Skills for Chicago's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-1287418. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Skills for Chicago funds
Employment Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Skills for Chicago's focus areas in our free grants database
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Skills for Chicago down — hundreds of funders to go?