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.
Key facts about Special Children's Charities
- EIN
- 23-7026774
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,487,985
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- Average grant
- $310,998
- Median grant
- $189,373
- Total assets
- $8,762,203
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Special Children's Charities funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Special Children's Charities's 8 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (7 grants). 13% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "After 22 Program" (4 grants).
How Special Children's Charities gives
- Giving grew 631% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with Special Children's Charities
- How to evaluate Special Children's Charities as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Special Children's Charities with AI
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- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.8M
+2.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.5M
+103.7% YoY
Grant Count
8
+166.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$311K
-23.6% YoY
About Special Children's Charities
Based on IRS filings
Special Children's Charities is a nonprofit organization, 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.
Ready to take the next step with Special Children's Charities?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 8 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,762,203 | $8,572,943 | $7,539,416 |
| Revenue | $8,886,502 | $7,553,223 | $4,510,422 |
| Expenses | $8,475,644 | $7,989,801 | $3,812,378 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $246,822 | $119,901 | $126,316 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Children First Fund The Chicago Public Schools Foundaion ($1,164,494), Chicago Park District ($606,283), Anixter Center ($217,295).
| 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 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is Special Children's Charities?
As of 2024, Special Children's Charities holds $8.8M in total assets with $8.9M in annual revenue. It awarded 8 grants totaling $2.5M in 2024.
Where does Special Children's Charities operate?
Special Children's Charities has awarded grants in Illinois, Texas.
What size grants does Special Children's Charities award?
In 2024, Special Children's Charities awarded 8 grants totaling $2.5M — an average of about $311K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.