Growing Home Inc, Branded | https://scontent.fmnl4-3.fna.fbcdn.net/
Growing Home Inc, Branded | https://scontent.fmnl4-3.fna.fbcdn.net/
The listed appropriations included grants of $500,000 and $255,000 if two, each 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 1992 by Les Brown, Growing Home Inc states that its mission is: “We believe everyone deserves to have a good job, and everyone deserves to eat well.”
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 $4,249,820 in total revenue. Of that, $567,906 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 13.4% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $4,096,930 in contributions overall. It also reported $3,280,310 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Growing Home Inc had $4,418,630 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $6,348,820, indicating a significant 43.7% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Growing Home Inc declined in the last year, falling from $627,316 in 2023 to $567,906 in 2024—a decrease of 9.5% 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.
Growing Home Inc 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 | 2 | $755,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Anthony Terrance Thompson | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Colette D Payne | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Daniel L Kaplan | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | James Thompson | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Janelle St. John | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Joseph W Niemiec | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Joyce L Donaly | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Karl Riley | President |
| 2024-2024 | Katherine Hill | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Kevin M Swan | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Lynn D Sheck | Past Board President |
| 2024-2024 | Micheal Newman | Board Vice President |
| 2024-2024 | Shawn E Boone | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Stephen Dock Stanley | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Steven Jon Gates | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Stewart Jacob Weiss | Director |
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