Project Syncere Logo | Facebook
Project Syncere Logo | Facebook
The listed appropriations included two grants of $500,000, plus an additional grant of $250,000, 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 2008 by Group of Black men, Project Syncere states that its mission is: “To prepare the minds of underrepresented students and create pathways for them to pursue careers in STEM.”
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 $2,371,720 in total revenue. Of that, $618,418 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 26.1% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $2,285,310 in contributions overall. It also reported $1,666,900 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Project Syncere had $480,192 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $410,758, indicating a 14.5% decline in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Project Syncere increased in the last year. The group received $421,335 in government grants in 2023, compared to $618,418 in 2024—an increase of 46.8% 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.
Project Syncere 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 | 3 | $1,000,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Adrian Wheeler | Program Director |
| 2024-2024 | Candice Nicole Smith | Board President |
| 2024-2024 | Cherie N Meador | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Craig Morris | Director Of Development Marketing |
| 2024-2024 | Georgia Wilson | Director Of Finance & Operations |
| 2024-2024 | Jason Coleman | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Marc A Nunn | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Rashaanda Cook | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Sandor D Williams | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Scott C Greenberg | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Seun Phillips | Board Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Shaun Garrison | Board Treasurer |
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