Adrian Soto, Executive Director at Greater Southwest Development Corp. | greatersouthwest.org
Adrian Soto, Executive Director at Greater Southwest Development Corp. | greatersouthwest.org
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 1974 by James F. Capraro, Greater Southwest Development Corporation states that its mission is: “We work in service of a multicultural, prosperous, and economically vibrant Southwest Chicago, rooted in social justice and racial equity.”
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 $2,845,360 in total revenue. Of that, $938,977 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 33% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $1,535,590 in contributions overall. It also reported $596,609 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Greater Southwest Development Corporation had $14,051,500 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $18,971,100, indicating a significant 35% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Greater Southwest Development Corporation declined in the last year, falling from $1,328,610 in 2023 to $938,977 in 2024—a decrease of 29.3% 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.
Greater Southwest Development Corporation 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.
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Adrian Soto | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Bryan Johnson | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Gabriela Barrientos | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jeffrey W. Bartow | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Manuel Jimenez | President |
| 2024-2024 | Mark Divalerio | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Nyla R Diab | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Rick Guitierrez | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ruff Mara | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Andre Dankha | Community Safety Manager | - |
| 2024 | Andrew G Fogaty | Director, Illinois Small Business Development Center | - |
| 2024 | Christine James | Director Of Operations | - |
| 2024 | Cristina Rodriguez | Administrative Assistant | - |
| 2024 | Elba Font I | Financial And Housing Counselor | - |
| 2024 | Erik F Gonzalez | Business Academy Director | - |
| 2024 | Ghian Foreman | Executive Director | - |
| 2024 | Hilda Velazquez | Housing Counselor | - |
| 2024 | Nick Kollias | Manager | - |
| 2024 | Nick Kollias | Commercial Director At Greater Southwest Development Corporation | - |
| 2024 | Robert S Navarro | Outreach Manager | - |
| 2015 | Demetri Jim Alexakos | Economic Development Specialist | - |
| 2015 | Graciela Diaz | Program Counselor | - |
| 2014 | Kirk E Fleming Jr | Community Liaison | - |
| 2013 | Caitlin Ashleen Gath | Marketing Manager | - |
| 2013 | Monica Elena Clodius | Commercial Development Intern | - |
| 2012 | Alysse Danielle Eberhardt | Intern | - |
| 2011 | Donna S Stites | Chief Operating Officer And New Communities Director | - |
| 2011 | Timothy O'Gorman | Volunteer Analyst | - |
| 2010 | Aaron Kurtz | Industrial Development Assistant | - |
| 2010 | Angel Xavier Garcia-Spitz | Outreach Coordinator | - |
| 2010 | J Mitchell Mcmahon | Intern | - |
| 2010 | James Francis Capraro | Chief Executive Officer | - |
| 2010 | Karen M Wilkosz | Finanical Director And Human Resource Manager | - |
| 2007 | Elizabeth Wampler | Fellow | - |
| 2005 | Paula M Lewis | - | |
| 2004 | Anne E Franc | - | |
| 2002 | Helen H Lacroix | Housing Education Program Coordinator | - |
| 2000 | David Phillip Betlejewski | Associate Director | - |
| - | Ghian Foreman | Executive Director | - |
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