The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group is a Chicago-based public charity, formed in 2020, whose work focuses on educational equity, leadership development, and transforming philanthropy. The CAFE Group’s programs include The 1954 Project, which provides catalytic funding and support to education nonprofit leaders, and LEAD, a paid internship and leadership-development program for college students.
Key facts about The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group
In short: The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group reported $86K in grants paid in 2024 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). 80% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 85-3906899
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Grants paid (2024)
- $85,623 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- Total assets
- $28,664,750
- How to apply
- For The 1954 Project, register and complete the Eligibility Form to be considered for an invitation to submit a full application. Full details ↓
- Next open deadline
- December 15, 2026 (The 1954 Project Luminary Award)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$28.7M
+93.9% YoY
Grants Paid (reported total)
$86K
-98.0% YoY
Revenue
$19.6M
+70.8% YoY
Net Investment Income
$324K
+81.4% YoY
Is The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group open to new grantees?
80%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 8 of 10 grantees (80%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $288K; repeat grants $1M. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $1M repeat.
- 0% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to transform philanthropy and advance educational equity through love-centered, systemic change. Its 2024 filing describes its programs as supporting people and organizations transforming education and philanthropy through catalytic funding, leadership development, and cross-sector connections.
The 1954 Project makes unrestricted awards to nonprofit education leaders working in three areas: culturally affirming innovation in teaching and learning; pathways to increase and sustain Black educators and education leaders; and educational programming that builds pathways to economic mobility for Black students, families, and communities. The program describes a three-year experience that includes funding, coaching and capacity support, and participation in a national network.
Examples of supported organizations show a range of education-related work. Beyond 12 Education says it helps low-income, first-generation, and historically underrepresented students graduate from college through student tracking and coaching. Marcy Lab says it provides technical training, leadership development, and employment access for young adults pursuing technology careers. Kingmakers of Oakland describes its work as transforming education systems to improve educational and life outcomes for Black students. These are the organizations’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
The funder reported 10 grants totaling $4,300,000 in 2023 and 10 grants totaling $5,145,425 in 2022. The listed 2023 awards include $1,000,000 each to Beyond 12 Education Inc., Marcy Lab Inc., and Kingmakers of Oakland, and $50,000 each to The Children’s Place Association, Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance, Inner-City Computer Stars Foundation, School Board Partners, and Generation Citizen Inc. The examples include both large awards and smaller awards; the available information does not establish an overall typical grant size.
The 1954 Project’s 2026 pre-application cycle is closed. Its application page says the 2027 cycle will open in fall 2026. The listed process requires potential applicants to register and complete an Eligibility Form to be invited to submit a full application. Applicants are expected to align their work with one of the program’s three focus areas. No deadline for the 2027 cycle is provided. LEAD’s paid internships are a participant program, not a grant program for outside applicants.
Invitation Only
For The 1954 Project, register and complete the Eligibility Form to be considered for an invitation to submit a full application. The 2026 pre-application cycle is closed; the 2027 cycle is expected to open in fall 2026.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group
1954 Project - Luminary Award Grant
The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group
Amount
US $1,000,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
LEAD Internship Program
The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group
Amount
Paid positions (amount varies by host organization)
Deadline
Deadline not published
The 1954 Project Luminary Award
The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group
Amount
$1,000,000
Deadline
Expected ~December
Based on past cycles
Ready to take the next step with The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 1954 Project describes its network and support as national, serving nonprofit education leaders working with Black students and communities across the United States. LEAD placements are in Chicagoland. The 2023 grantees listed include organizations in California, New York, Illinois, Tennessee, and Louisiana.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $86K (2024) to $5.6M (2021). In 2024 it reported $86K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 11 grants of 31 (35%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2024.
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $28,664,750 | $19,646,175 | $2,882,933 | 0 |
| 2023 | $14,784,544 | $11,499,483 | $7,247,999 | 10; $4,300,000 total |
| 2022 | $10,404,641 | $3,949,556 | $7,412,889 | 10; $5,145,425 total |
The filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $28,664,750 | $14,784,544 | $10,404,641 |
| Revenue | $19,646,175 | $11,499,483 | $3,949,556 |
| Expenses | $2,882,933 | $7,247,999 | $7,412,889 |
| Net Investment Income | $324,458 | $178,870 | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Elizabeth Thompson as president, Tiffany Thompson as chief impact officer, Jennifer Wander as CFO, Lindsay Booker as chief communications officer, and Rebecca Quincey as director of strategy. It also lists Leslie Anderson, Daniel Anello, Shayne Evans, Joseph McCoy, and Mara Botman as directors.
The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group is led by Elizabeth Thompson, President on every filing since 2021; 4 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elizabeth Thompson
President
On filings since 2021
25 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Quincey
Director of Strategy
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$114K (2023) → $118K (2024)
Daniel Anello
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph McCoy
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Anderson
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shayne Evans
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mara Botman
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Wander
CFO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$169K (2023) → $204K (2024)
Lindsay Booker
Chief Communications Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$182K (2024)
Tiffany Thompson
Chief Impact Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$214K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Acasia Wilson Feinberg (2021–2022) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 $214K, to Tiffany Thompson (Chief Impact Officer). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 222 N Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 383-6681
Website: https://thecafe.org
Frequently asked questions about The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group
How much does The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group give each year?
The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group reported $86K in grants paid in 2024 on its 2024 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2023 it gave $4.3M across 10 grants.
How large is The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group?
The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group reported $28.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $19.6M.
What does The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to transform philanthropy and advance educational equity through love-centered, systemic change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group?
For The 1954 Project, register and complete the Eligibility Form to be considered for an invitation to submit a full application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group make grants?
The 1954 Project describes its network and support as national, serving nonprofit education leaders working with Black students and communities across the United States. LEAD placements are in Chicagoland. The 2023 grantees listed include organizations in California, New York, Illinois, Tennessee, and Louisiana.
What is The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group's EIN?
The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3906899. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group by hand.
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