Francis Graffeo, President at The People's Music School | Linkedin
Francis Graffeo, President at The People's Music School | Linkedin
The listed appropriations included grants of $250,000 and $250,000 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 1976 by Rita Simó, People's Music School Inc. states that its mission is: “Our mission is to deliver access to the benefits of high-quality, tuition-free music education. Through intensive instruction and performance, our students achieve excellence in music that transfers to other areas in life. They grow musically, socially, emotionally and intellectually, and develop a foundation of responsibility, self-esteem, resilience and purpose.”
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 $2,755,460 in total revenue. Of that, $152,611 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 5.5% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $2,582,050 in contributions overall. It also reported $229,402 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $2,232,600 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, People's Music School Inc. had $4,321,890 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $3,871,260, indicating a 10.4% decline in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to People's Music School Inc. declined in the last year, falling from $343,663 in 2023 to $152,611 in 2024—a decrease of 55.6% 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.
People's Music School Inc. 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 | $500,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Adam Charles Lucas | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Carolyn Jaw | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Cecilia Vangetson | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Cici Zheng | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ellen Ann Feldman | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Francis David Graffeo | President |
| 2024-2024 | Garrett D Hart | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Julie Lopez | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Kevin Dolan | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Kia Javanmardian | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Laura Sutphen | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Marcia L Wilson | Chief Of Strategy And Partnerships |
| 2024-2024 | Michael D Buck | President |
| 2024-2024 | Miriam Goldberg Owens | Coo |
| 2024-2024 | Nalini Kotamraju | Director |
| 2024-2024 | NATALIE DIAZ AVILA BUTLER | Dean Of Learning And Teach |
| 2024-2024 | Noam Frankel | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Peter Sheren | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Stephanie Macakanja | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Steven Shaw | Vice President |
| 2024-2024 | Uma Chandrasekaran | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Allison Marie Henry | Executive Director | - |
| 2024 | Carolyn Sue Sybesma | Director Of Community Programs Strategic Initiatives | - |
| 2024 | Daniel Williams | Clarinet And Saxophone Teacher | - |
| 2024 | Emily Mange Chervony | Manager Of Administration | - |
| 2024 | Jeremy Rowland | General Music Curriculum Manager | - |
| 2024 | Jessica Nicole Lipon | Viola And Violin Teacher | - |
| 2024 | Joshua Reyes | Musician | - |
| 2024 | Kaitlin M Foley | Music Teacher | - |
| 2024 | Marlon Paz | Summer Intern | - |
| 2024 | Megan Elizabeth Robbins | Uptown Academy Program Manager And Oboe Instructor | - |
| 2024 | Melanie J Gold | Institutional Giving Manager | - |
| 2024 | NATALIE DIAZ AVILA BUTLER | Dean Of Learning And Teaching | - |
| 2024 | Paul Johnson | Consultant | - |
| 2024 | Renee N Davis | Associate Director Of Development | - |
| 2024 | Robert Joseph Fletcher | Percussion Teaching Artist | - |
| 2024 | Sarah Ann Renberg | Piano Teacher | - |
| 2019 | Anna Green | Intern | - |
| 2019 | Laura L Ryan | Music Instructor | - |
| 2018 | Benjamin T Krauss | Teacher | - |
| 2018 | Catherine A Buck | Interim Chief Operating Officer | - |
| 2018 | Wesley Scott Woodward | Substitute Trumpet Teacher | - |
| 2017 | Benjamin Patrick Mcmunn | Music Educator | - |
| 2017 | Gregory W Fundis | Music Theory And Percussion Instructor | - |
| 2017 | Jessica Zander | Development Committee Member | - |
| 2016 | Christian Luciano | Student Intern | - |
| 2016 | Daniel Webster-Clark | Technology Consultant, Strategy Intern | - |
| 2016 | Isabelle Innocenti | Orchestra Program Site Coordinator And Violin Faculty | - |
| 2015 | Catherine Gonzalez | Teaching Artist | - |
| 2015 | Daniel Vincent Pritchard | Administrative Assistant | - |
| 2015 | Erin Leigh Helgeland | Artistic And Administrative Intern | - |
| 2015 | Joshua Matthew Popejoy | Teaching Artist - Core Brass Faculty | - |
| 2014 | Eric W Veazie | Intern | - |
| 2013 | Michelle M Miles | Cello Teacher | - |
| 2013 | Najeeba Syed | Development Coordinator | - |
| 2012 | Javier R Payano | Orchestra Director | - |
| 2012 | Rachel Scarlett Blumenthal | Woodwind Coach | - |
| 2011 | Rachel Guethle | Yours Project | - |
| 2010 | ANNE CATHERINE CASE | Youth Orchestra United Rita Simo Project Chicago Intern | - |
| 2010 | Chandler A Greer | Development And Communications Coordinator | - |
| 2010 | Mark Wozniczka | Percussion Instructor | - |
| 2010 | Michael S Zakem | Instructor Of Saxophone | - |
| 2008 | Angel Lidia Rae Nava | Development And Communications Coordinator | - |
| 2005 | Iguill I Guillermo | Staff Accountant | - |
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