Harry Alston, VP - Strategy and Innovation at Safer Foundation | Safer Foundation
Harry Alston, VP - Strategy and Innovation at Safer Foundation | Safer Foundation
The listed appropriations included grants of $2,100,000 and $1,501,700, along with two additional grants totaling $155,000, 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 1972 by Bernie Curran and Gus Wilhelmy, Safer Foundation states that its mission is: “To pave that road with stabilizing support, employment, education, and advocacy that empower justice-involved individuals to achieve their true potential.”
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 $39,151,800 in total revenue. Of that, $31,296,800 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 79.9% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $34,306,300 in contributions overall. It also reported $1,007,950 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Safer Foundation had $17,156,000 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $25,418,200, indicating a significant 48.2% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Safer Foundation increased in the last year. The group received $27,978,900 in government grants in 2023, compared to $31,296,800 in 2024—an increase of 11.9% 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.
Safer 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 | $3,756,698 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Alfonzo K Surrett Jr | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Allen Kanter | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Andrea Davenport | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Anthony Lowery | Avp Housing Programs |
| 2024-2024 | Anthony J Madonia | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Arnold Siegel | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Cecily M Mistarz | Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Coy Pugh | Director |
| 2024-2024 | David Gianfrancesco | Vice President Strategy And In |
| 2024-2024 | Deepika Batra Digiovine | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Eric Carter Sr | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ethan M Erenberg | Vice - Chairman |
| 2024-2024 | Frank Nicholas | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Harry Lee Alston | Vp - Strategy And Innovation |
| 2024-2024 | Henrietta Mason | Vp- Human Resources/Od |
| 2024-2024 | Isaac A Akridge | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jerry Butler | Vp -Community Corrections |
| 2024-2024 | Joseph Urban | Cfo - Left 10/28/22 |
| 2024-2024 | Kemi Solade | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Mark Yates | Interim Cfo |
| 2024-2024 | Marketer Ash | Avp Program Implementation |
| 2024-2024 | Micah Swansey | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Paul J Sajkiewicz | Avp Technology |
| 2024-2024 | Robert Lee Jordan | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Rochelle Perry | Avp Core Programs |
| 2024-2024 | Ronald Owens | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Sodiqa Williams | Vp-Supportive Reentry |
| 2024-2024 | Stephen J Watts | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Victor B Dickson | President & Ceo |
| 2024-2024 | Victor B Dickson | President And Ceo |
| 2024-2024 | Victor Bridgeman | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Ann-Regina Hardy | - | |
| 2017 | Siketta Sparks | - | |
| 2013 | Patrice N Thompkins | - | |
| 2013 | Victor B Dickson | President And Ceo | - |
| 2012 | Alphonso Smith | - | |
| 2012 | Kenneth Mccord | - | |
| 2012 | Kimberly L Casey | Consultant | - |
| 2011 | Alfonso R Lara | - | |
| 2011 | Leray Stephany | - | |
| 2011 | Tremaine Deshon Sturdivant | - | |
| 2010 | Delshun Terrell Campbell | - | |
| 2009 | Joann Smith | - | |
| 2009 | Samuel Ingram | - | |
| 2008 | Phyllis A Johnson Hall | - | |
| 2007 | Heidi Russell-Green | - | |
| 2007 | Michael A Scott | - | |
| 2007 | Robert Earl Victor | - | |
| 2006 | Stephanie Gillespie | - | |
| 2005 | Jeanette Bates | - | |
| 2005 | Stephan Green | - | |
| 2005 | Warren S Hoard | - | |
| 2004 | David Laroy Mcintyre | - | |
| 2004 | Debra A Higens | - | |
| 2003 | Beatrice Craig | - | |
| 2002 | Cynthia Mcknight | - | |
| 2002 | Susette Taylor-Ross | - | |
| 2001 | Cavell C Anderson | - | |
| 2000 | Marina Vera Gonzalez | - | |
| 1999 | Marilyn Houston | - | |
| 1998 | Don J Cleveland | - | |
| 1997 | Lenora Dixon | - | |
| 1993 | Coleman Lawten | - | |
| 1992 | Arthur Brooks | - | |
| 1992 | Bettie Hawkins | - | |
| 1991 | Coleman Lawton | - | |
| 1991 | Isaac Benjamin | - | |
| 1990 | Rita Lewis | - | |
| 1982 | Katalina C Stringfield | - | |
| 1982 | Richard Wilcox | - | |
| - | Arthur D Bishop | Chief Program Officer | - |
| - | Harry L Alston | Vice President, Strategic Planning & Development | - |
| - | Henrietta Mason | Vice President, Human Resources & Organizational Development | - |
| - | Sodiqa Williams | Vice President, External Affairs And General Counsel | - |
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