Velinda D. Alexander, Founder and Executive Director at True To Life Foundation | truetolifefoundation.org
Velinda D. Alexander, Founder and Executive Director at True To Life Foundation | truetolifefoundation.org
The listed appropriations included grants of $500,000 and $250,000, along with two additional grants totaling $300,000, all designated for programs or services funded by the State of Illinois.
These appropriations represent state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.
Founded in 2002 by Velinda Alexander, True To Life Foundation states that its mission is: “The mission of True To Life Foundation is to promote competent, complete and creative families through education, crisis intervention, and restoration.”
You can learn more about the organization at its website.
In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $1,136,260 in total revenue. Of that, $822,418 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 72.4% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $1,136,160 in contributions overall. It also reported $313,746 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, True To Life Foundation had $402,143 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $442,545, indicating a 10% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to True To Life Foundation declined in the last year, falling from $978,973 in 2023 to $822,418 in 2024—a decrease of 16% year-over-year.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
True To Life Foundation is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.
According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.
| Fiscal Year | Total Grants/Contracts | Total Taxpayer $$ |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | $1,050,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Antionette Marie Jones | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Lawrence P Alexander | Vice President |
| 2024-2024 | Mario V Stewart Sr | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Patricia Thomas | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Rachel Fatubde | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Sean S Caruthers | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Velinda Alexander | President & Ceo |
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