The Workforce Connection Inc
The mission of the Workforce Connection board is to create a competitive, skilled and educated workforce by providing a system for individuals to gain meaningful employment responsive to the needs of business.
The Workforce Connection Inc at a glance
In short: The Workforce Connection Inc gave $2.4M across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $490K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,449,247
- +1169.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +150.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $489,849
- +407.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $554,046
- Total assets
- $1,524,925
- +2379.3% 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 The Workforce Connection Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was AAR Aircraft Services Rockford ($743K). Together the top 5 received $2.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 3 grants of 9 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Workforce Connection Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+6%). 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $193K (2024) to $2.7M (2023). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AAR Aircraft Services Rockford Rockford, IL | The grant was awarded to provide assistance with funding for the job training project. | $742,993 |
| Zion West Enterprise NFP Rockford, IL | The grant was awarded to provide assistance with funding for the job training project. | $587,130 |
| Goodwill of Northern Illinois and Wisconsin Stateline Area Inc Rockford, IL | The grant was awarded to provide assistance with funding for the job training project. | $554,046 |
| Awaken Foundation Rockford, IL | The grant was awarded to provide assistance with funding for the job training project. | $475,347 |
| Rock Valley College Rockford, IL | The grant was awarded to provide assistance with funding for the job training project. | $89,731 |
Ready to take the next step with The Workforce Connection Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,524,925 | $2,744,657 | $2,725,166 | $2,449,247 | 5 | $212 |
| 2024 | $61,507 | $214,189 | $213,988 | $192,973 | 2 | $187 |
| 2023 | $1,125,118 | $2,700,061 | $2,694,231 | $2,661,430 | 1 | $178 |
| 2022 | $1,429,255 | $2,334,358 | $2,335,455 | $2,307,197 | 1 | $10 |
| 2021 | $678,954 | $58,823 | $31,064 | — | — | $4 |
| 2020 | $461,944 | $22,338 | $9,753 | — | — | $2 |
| 2019 | $628,316 | $17,166 | $10,876 | — | — | — |
About The Workforce Connection Inc
Based on IRS filings
The Workforce Connection Inc is a public charity focused on Employment, based in Rockford, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $2.4M. Net investment income was $212.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Workforce Connection Inc is led by Gina Caronna, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; none of the 34 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gina Caronna
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Cassaro
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Ott
Board Member
Secretary & Treasurer → Director-At-Large, 2023
Director-At-Large → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben Bernsten
Board Member
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Harle
Board Member
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Pirages
Board Member
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Zeal
Board Member
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Brown
Board Member
Past Chair → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
Secretary & Treasurer → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Len Carter
Board Member
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Fettes
Board Member
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Cagnoni
Board Member
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Troy Primus
Board Member
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Guirl
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Bloomquist
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Fischer
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Howard Spearman
Board Member
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Crandall
Board Member
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Wells
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Ross
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Nord
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brant Hulsebus
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Casey Schwebke
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Gaulrapp
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Proctor
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Fahrenwald
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy Grayewski
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Montalbano
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Micheael Dunn
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Nolle
Secretary & Treasurer
Board Member → Secretary & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheila Hill
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marlena Nelson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Max Salazar
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tricia Wagner
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zachary Rotello
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (48)
- Former: Kris Machajewski (2023–2025) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 7/30/2024
- Former: Amanda Stewart (2025) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 7/3/2024
- Former: Mark Krupke (2025) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 5/20/2025
- Former: Daniel Grohens (2019–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 12/2023
- Former: Frank Rotello (2019–2024) — Past Chair
- Former: Vanessa Hughes (2019–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 9/2023
- Former: C. Mark Williams (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 9/2023
- Former: Eva Kretschmar (2022–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 9/2023
- Former: Jamie Jacquez (2023–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 9/2023
- Former: Therese Thill (2023–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 9/2023
- Former: Jordan Priest (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Stefanic (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Alan Golden (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Edward Wood (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Fred Delarosa (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jessica Greenberg (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kimberly Kuborn (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Craig Steege (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Einar Forsman (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kraig Reichwald (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Gerald Guinane (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Lisa M. Bly-Jones (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Mark Adams (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Morgan Gallagher (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Deb Lindley (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Doug Jensen (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Eric Black (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Nathan Bryant (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Paul Logli (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Rudy Valdez (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Angela Hite-Carter (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Geri-Dee Hayden (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Beth Young (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jennifer Greenberg (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Amanda Smith (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Crystal Soltow (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Gary Evans (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: June Hazzard (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Linda Campos (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Rebecca Motley (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Tim Hood (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Al Golden (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Bob Guirl (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Candice Goodpaster (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Jerry Guinane (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Kimberly Wichman (2019) — Board Member · Filing note: Term ended 9302018
- Former: Lisa M. Bly (2019) — Executive Director
- Former: Lori Fanello (2019) — Board Member
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Workforce Connection Inc
How much does The Workforce Connection Inc give each year?
The Workforce Connection Inc gave $2.4M across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $193K across 2 grants.
What is The Workforce Connection Inc's typical grant size?
The Workforce Connection Inc's median grant in 2025 was $554,046, and its average grant was $489,849, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Workforce Connection Inc give grants?
The Workforce Connection Inc gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rockford, IL (5 grants).
Does The Workforce Connection Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Workforce Connection Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Workforce Connection Inc's largest grantees?
The Workforce Connection Inc's largest 2025 grantees include AAR Aircraft Services Rockford ($742,993), Zion West Enterprise NFP ($587,130) and Goodwill of Northern Illinois and Wisconsin Stateline Area Inc ($554,046), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Workforce Connection Inc?
The Workforce Connection Inc reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.7M.
What is The Workforce Connection Inc?
The Workforce Connection Inc is a public charity focused on Employment, based in Rockford, IL. It holds $1.5M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Workforce Connection Inc's EIN?
The Workforce Connection Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 32-0010994. 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
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 5, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 26, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work The Workforce Connection Inc funds
Employment Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Workforce Connection Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
Rockford Corridor Improvement Inc
Rockford, IL
To reduce the burdens which neighborhood blight imposes on units of government.
Assets
$74K
Grants
2
Total Given
$229K
HIRE360
Chicago, IL
HIRE360 funds workforce training and career pathways, youth outreach, and support for community contractors, suppliers, and professional service firms, with a focus on construction and related industries. Its 2025 grants ranged from $25,655 to $397,339, with a median of $155,186, and went to Illinois recipients. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$22.1M
Grants
15
Total Given
$2.4M
United Way of Rock River Valley
Rockford, IL
United Way of Rock River Valley funds local programs addressing childhood literacy, neighborhood needs, and related community services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,097 to $120,000, with a median of $30,000, primarily serving Rockford and Winnebago County. It has offered competitive literacy grant requests for proposals; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$11.4M
Grants
26
Total Given
$932K
Proliteracy Worldwide
Syracuse, NY
ProLiteracy Worldwide funds U.S. nonprofits that provide literacy services directly to adults, supporting operating costs, literacy projects, digital learning tools, and print materials. Its Literacy Opportunity Fund awards up to $6,000; reported grants in 2025 ranged from $5,175 to $12,625, with a median of $6,000. It provides support across the United States; online applications are available, though the profile does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$20.8M
Grants
80
Total Given
$502K
Goodwill Industries International Inc
Rockville, MD
Goodwill Industries International supports workforce programs such as job training, career and digital skills, reentry services, and training for older workers, mainly through grants to local Goodwill organizations across the United States. In 2025, grants ranged from $7,500 to $3,353,948, with a median award of $71,765. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$76.7M
Grants
111
Total Given
$24.9M
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
Rockford, IL
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois funds nonprofits and community projects across arts and humanities, basic needs, education and career pathways, health, sustainable communities, and youth and families, including neighborhood projects and urgent needs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,100 to $998,872, with a median of $13,030; its Community Grants serve Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties. It accepts applications for Community Opportunities on a rolling basis; the 2026 Community Grants cycle is closed.
Assets
$156.3M
Grants
248
Total Given
$8.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Workforce Connection Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Workforce Connection Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?