Lesley Showers, Executive Director at the Institute Of Cultural Affairs | ica-usa.org
Lesley Showers, Executive Director at the Institute Of Cultural Affairs | ica-usa.org
The listed appropriations included grants of $475,000 and $275,000 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 1962, Institute Of Cultural Affairs states that its mission is: “ICA promotes a just and equitable society by catalyzing sustainable communities and demonstrating sustainable practices to reverse the negative human impact on the planet.”
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 $1,700,610 in total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $413,092 in contributions overall. It also reported $216,406 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $197,092 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Institute Of Cultural Affairs had $494,465 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $469,135, indicating a 5.1% decline in overall holdings.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Institute Of Cultural Affairs 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 | $750,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Anita Cordero | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Chris Brubaker | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Deborah Graham | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Lola P Johnson | Co-Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Margarete Elisabeth Gergen | Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Mark Mcmullen Bushman | Vice Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Meida Mcneal | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Nancy Trask | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Sonya Butts | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Andrew L Clayton | Communications And Development Coordinator | - |
| 2024 | Anna Edwina Neal | Customer Service Consultant | - |
| 2024 | Caitlin J Sarro | Program Manager And Webmaster And Volunteer Coordinator | - |
| 2024 | Joyce Wilborn Sloan | Board Member | - |
| 2024 | Kynan R Langenbeck | Programs Coordinator | - |
| 2024 | Lauren B Dougherty | Technology Of Participation Facilitator And Apprentice Trainer - Institute Of Cultural Affairs | - |
| 2024 | Pedro Miranda | Print Designer | - |
| 2024 | Seva C Gandhi | Director Of Programs At Institute Of Cultural Affairs | - |
| 2024 | Sylvia Flowers | Teammember | - |
| 2024 | Theodore J Wysocki Iii | Chief Executive Officer | - |
| 2024 | Una Marie Mcalinden | Certified Facilitator, Technology Of Participation | - |
| 2024 | William Davis | Mentor Trainer | - |
| 2019 | Lesley C Showers | Chief Operating Officer | - |
| 2019 | Richard C Bondie | Operations Manager | - |
| 2015 | Terry Dean Bergdall | Chief Executive Officer | - |
| 2014 | Shannon Kay Conheady | Mentor | - |
| 2014 | Stephanie Leigh Ahles | Technology Of Participation Trainer | - |
| 2013 | Benjamin James Fenton | Accelerate 77 Team Lead | - |
| 2013 | Peter N Nguyen Sr | Intern | - |
| 2013 | Vito F Greco | Consultant, Resilient Communities Program > Accelerate 77 | - |
| 2012 | Elizabeth A Arthur | Accelerate 77 Team Lead And Community Engagement Intern | - |
| 2012 | Grace M Curran | Intern Team Leader | - |
| 2012 | Joanna R Zuno | Grant Research Intern | - |
| 2012 | Mary Paschen | Gis Consultant | - |
| 2010 | Bruce Robertson | Retired | - |
| 2010 | Mary Laura Jones | Grant Resource Development At Institute Of Cultural Affairs | - |
| 2009 | Jada Danielle Stewart | Supervisor | - |
| 2009 | Marcelina Knitter | Marketing, Graphic Design, And Logistics Expert | - |
| 2008 | Felisia A Wesson | National Program Director | - |
| 2008 | Susan Lyn Kelly | Board Member | - |
| 2007 | Jan Mcconahay | Finance Manager | - |
| 2007 | Janet F Warren | Accountant | - |
| 2006 | Edis Denic | Building Engineer | - |
| 2006 | Elaine Kay Stover | Program Director, Human Ecologist | - |
| 2006 | Walter H Fisher | Director Of Diversity | - |
| 2005 | ANNA J MARQUEZ | Program Administrator | - |
| 2005 | Christie Lynnell Forrest | Program Coordinator | - |
| 2005 | Gordon L Harper | Several Positions Over Many Years | - |
| 2004 | Lois R Saboe | Trainer In Group Facilitation Methods | - |
| 2003 | Amara G Oden | Program Coordinator | - |
| 2002 | Paula Marie Philbrook | National Accounting Coordinator | - |
| 2001 | Richard H T Alton | Secretary General | - |
| 2001 | Vera Krekanova | Community Organizer | - |
| 1997 | Nancy Fastenau | Licensed Mentor Trainer | - |
| 1995 | Steve Werner | Director Of Development And Communications | - |
| 1992 | Darrell P Mcfarland | - | |
| 1988 | Sherwood Jean Shankland | Ica Colleague | - |
| 1985 | Katherine J Scharko | Accounting Assistant | - |
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