Illinois DOGE Deep Dive: The Ndigo Foundation Inc.

Hermene Hartman, President of The N'Digo Foundation | Facebook

By T. T. Collins

Oct 13, 2025

The Ndigo Foundation Inc., a tax-exempt nonprofit that receives significant public funding to perform services also offered by the state, was approved to receive a $550,000 grant in FY2024, according to passed legislation data extracted from the Illinois General Assembly’s FY2024 budget (Public Act 102- 6 0698).

This appropriation represents 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 1989 by Hermene Hartman, The Ndigo Foundation Inc. states that its mission is: “We deliver stories that have been mistold, gone untold, and need to be retold. We will be engaging and probably controversial.”

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 $725,220 in total revenue, including $725,160 in contributions—entirely from government grants across federal, state, or local sources—making up 100% of its revenue.

At the beginning of 2024, The Ndigo Foundation Inc. had $41,660 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $132,728, indicating a significant 218.6% growth in overall holdings.

According to its filing, public funding to The Ndigo Foundation Inc. surged in the last year. The group received $155,904 in government grants in 2023, compared to $725,160 in 2024—an increase of 365.1% 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.

The Ndigo Foundation 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.

The Ndigo Foundation Inc. 990 Filing – Key Officers