The Kindness Campaign, Logo | Facebook
The Kindness Campaign, Logo | Facebook
The listed appropriations included grants of $2,500,000 and $150,000 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 2017 by Christopher Watts, The Kindness Campaign states that its mission is: “Empower people to lead change in their communities by advancing community health, youth leadership, workforce development and neighborhood opportunity.”
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 $3,325,530 in total revenue. Of that, $749,629 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 22.5% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $3,325,530 in contributions overall. It also reported $2,445,920 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $2,570,900 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, The Kindness Campaign had $455,960 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $459,207, indicating a 0.7% growth 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.
The Kindness Campaign 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 | $2,650,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Angelica Jones | Secretary/Director |
| 2024-2024 | Brian P Starr | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Christopher L Watts | President/Director |
| 2024-2024 | CORA L PALMER | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Daniel Brian Kirmse | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Doug Frasor | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Lakesha Lundy | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Linda Mckinney | Treasurer/Director |
| 2024-2024 | Taquisha Shontonique Davis | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Janet Torres | Executive Director | - |
| 2024 | Toi Lin Johnson | Volunteer And Operations Manager | - |
| 2024 | Tolly Moseley | Director Of Communications | - |
| 2019 | Jennifer Jauckens Alonso | Director, Community Engagement And Partnerships | - |
| 2019 | Victoria Jameson Volker | Research And Curriculum Manager | - |
| 2016 | Joanna Sue Lovejoy | Intermediate Project Manager | - |
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