John Harrell, Co-founder and President at Black Men United | citizennewspapergroup.com
John Harrell, Co-founder and President at Black Men United | citizennewspapergroup.com
The listed appropriations included grants of $2,000,000 and $500,000, along with five additional grants totaling $1,618,860, 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.
Black Men United states that its mission is: “BMU, Create an alliance of men of African descent to mobilize our resources and empower our communities through Economics, Safety, and Spirituality which will restore pride back to the black family, while practicing being anti-nobody, building bridges and not walls.”
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 $571,242 in total revenue. Of that, $267,625 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 46.8% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $553,228 in contributions overall. It also reported $285,603 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Black Men United had $347,934 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $263,749, indicating a 24.2% decline in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Black Men United declined in the last year, falling from $559,383 in 2023 to $267,625 in 2024—a decrease of 52.2% 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.
Black Men United 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 | 7 | $4,118,861 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Aban Laa | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Brian Dailey | Reentry Navigator |
| 2024-2024 | Colleen Cannon | Internal Navigator |
| 2024-2024 | Dawnisha Buillion | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Janice Foster | Board Secretary Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Jim Esch | Director |
| 2024-2024 | John F Harrell | Pres And Ceo |
| 2024-2024 | Juanita Williams | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Mary Strong | Pantry Supervisor |
| 2024-2024 | Nathan Shields | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Reginald Armstrong | Vice Chairman |
| 2024-2024 | Robert Kirkland | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Tara Casey | Pantry Assistant |
| 2024-2024 | Terrell Mckinney | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Tiretta Stribling | Board Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Tony Reynolds | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Willie Hamilton | Board Chairman |
| 2024-2024 | Willie Hamilton | President And Founding Member |
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