Brenda Delgado, Board President for Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center | segundoruizbelvis.org
Brenda Delgado, Board President for Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center | segundoruizbelvis.org
The listed appropriations included grants of $300,000 and $200,000, along with two additional grants totaling $325,000, 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 1971, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center states that its mission is: “SRBCC realizes its mission to preserve and promote appreciation of the culture and arts of Puerto Rico and Latin America, with a focus on its African heritage.”
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 $679,561 in total revenue. Of that, $414,664 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 61% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $519,319 in contributions overall. It also reported $104,655 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center had $1,655,870 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $1,594,640, indicating a 3.7% decline in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center surged in the last year. The group received $263,169 in government grants in 2023, compared to $414,664 in 2024—an increase of 57.6% 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.
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center 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 | $825,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Alfredo Nieves Jr | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Brenda Delgado | Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Edoardo Ortiz | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | James Ramos | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Omar Torres | Executive Dir. |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Christine Sanchez | Hiv Counselors | - |
| 2024 | Christopher Marrero | Unit Clerk | - |
| 2024 | Jeremy Calderon | Internship | - |
| 2024 | Myrna Major-Broome | Clerical Associate | - |
| 2019 | Raquel Silva | Videographer | - |
| 2014 | Akina Shelby Olloway | Camera Director | - |
| 2013 | Moises Pacheco | Program Manager | - |
| 2005 | Mervin A Mendez | Executive Director | - |
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