Special Children's Charities
Since 1969, Special Children's Charities has been the driving force behind inclusion and empowerment for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Chicago. Our high-quality athletic, educational and life-enriching programs inspire our participants to dream big, overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Our transformative programs champion the rights and potential of individuals, support their families and uplift communities.
Special Children's Charities at a glance
In short: Special Children's Charities gave $2.5M across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $311K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,487,985
- +103.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- +166.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $310,998
- -23.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $189,373
- Total assets
- $8,762,203
- +2.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Special Children's Charities funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Children First Fund The Chicago Public Schools Foundaion ($1.2M). Together the top 8 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 7 grants of 16 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Special Children's Charities gives
- Giving grew 631% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $340K (2021) to $2.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Children First Fund The Chicago Public Schools Foundaion Chicago, IL | Sensory Rooms in Chicago Public Schools | $1,164,494 |
| Chicago Park District Chicago, IL | General purpose | $606,283 |
| Anixter Center Chicago, IL | After 22 Program | $217,295 |
| Richard J Daley College Chicago, IL | After 22 Program | $191,640 |
| City Colleges of Chicago Chicago, IL | After 22 Program | $187,106 |
| Wilbur Wright College Chicago, IL | After 22 Program | $70,989 |
| Eternal Flame of Hope Memorial Fdn Chicago, IL | Flame Lightning at Soldier Field | $40,000 |
| BSN Sports LLC Dallas, TX | Athletic Equipment | $10,178 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,762,203 | $8,886,502 | $8,475,644 | $2,487,985 | 8 | $246,822 |
| 2023 | $8,572,943 | $7,553,223 | $7,989,801 | $1,221,251 | 3 | $119,901 |
| 2022 | $7,539,416 | $4,510,422 | $3,812,378 | $676,032 | 3 | $126,316 |
| 2021 | $6,546,102 | $2,359,230 | $1,700,841 | $340,170 | 1 | $176,067 |
| 2020 | $5,740,188 | $2,763,216 | $1,550,908 | $364,819 | 1 | $128,085 |
About Special Children's Charities
Based on IRS filings
Special Children's Charities is a public charity, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $8.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $2.5M. Net investment income was $247K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Special Children's Charities is led by Mary Slowik, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 5 of 28 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mary Slowik
Executive Director
Interim Executive Director → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$127K (2022) → $108K (2024)
Amy Taylor
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$6K (2024)
Fran Hurley
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann M Hartnett
Director of Development
Manager → Director of Development, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$118K (2023) → $124K (2024)
Tapeca Carthan
Director of Finance
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$105K (2024)
Brenda McHugh
Director
Vice President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Daley
Director
President → Past President, 2021
Past President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Sheahan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Kramer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juan Ochoa
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Magnuson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marci Harrison
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt O'Shea
Director
Past President → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Andolina
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Niall Hardiman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Saul Lopez
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheila O'Callaghan
Director
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Smita Shah
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Gray
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Muldoon
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tony DiPaolo
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alondo Tucker
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Koors
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kam Buckner
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marybeth O Carlson
Manager
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$123K (2023) → $129K (2024)
Ray Baker
Vice President
Secretary → President, 2021
President → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Munizzi
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zachary Harbour
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: James Montana (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Daniel Koors (2022) — Director
- Former: Gerry Heneghan (2022) — Director
- Former: Colleen Doherty (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Harold Gauthier (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Heather Kundert (2020–2021) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Joe Svachula (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Michael Sheahan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mike Rossman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sarah Burke (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Steve Janiszewki (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Terrence Muldoon (2020) — Treasurer
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 $129K, to Marybeth O Carlson (Manager). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Special Children's Charities
How much does Special Children's Charities give each year?
Special Children's Charities gave $2.5M across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 3 grants.
What is Special Children's Charities's typical grant size?
Special Children's Charities's median grant in 2024 was $189,373, and its average grant was $310,998, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Special Children's Charities give grants?
Special Children's Charities gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (7 grants).
Does Special Children's Charities give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of Special Children's Charities's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "After 22 Program" (4 grants).
Who are Special Children's Charities's largest grantees?
Special Children's Charities's largest 2024 grantees include Children First Fund The Chicago Public Schools Foundaion ($1,164,494), Chicago Park District ($606,283) and Anixter Center ($217,295), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Special Children's Charities?
Special Children's Charities reported $8.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.9M.
What is Special Children's Charities's EIN?
Special Children's Charities's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7026774. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- 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 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Special Children's Charities down — hundreds of funders to go?