Emily Alley, Senior Vice President at Austin Chamber of Commerce | austinchamber.com
Emily Alley, Senior Vice President at Austin Chamber of Commerce | austinchamber.com
The listed appropriations included grants of $144,264 and $100,000 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 1999, Austin Chamber of Commerce states that its mission is: “To empower and support the businesses of Austin by providing resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy. We aim to foster sustainable growth, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy through collaboration, inclusivity, and community engagement.”
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 $217,403 in total revenue. Of that, $69,725 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 32.1% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $217,398 in contributions overall. It also reported $142,925 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Austin Chamber of Commerce 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 | $244,264 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Anthony Scott | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Bonnie Rae Mcgovern | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Crystal Y Dyer | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Edward Coleman | President |
| 2024-2024 | James L Bowers | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Khalilah A Johnson | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Michelle Collins | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Tina Augustus | Executive Dir. |
| 2024-2024 | Velda Brunner | Secretary |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Michelle Collins | Treasurer | - |
| - | Vince Williams | President | - |
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