Teny Oded Gross, Chief Executive Officer of Institute for Nonviolence Chicago | www.linkedin.com
Teny Oded Gross, Chief Executive Officer of Institute for Nonviolence Chicago | www.linkedin.com
The listed appropriations included grants of $250,000 and $197,000 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 2015 by Teny Gross, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago states that its mission is: “To end the cycle of gun violence in Chicago.”
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 $10,235,100 in total revenue. Of that, $8,689,650 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 84.9% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $10,206,400 in contributions overall. It also reported $1,466,700 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago had $2,192,500 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $3,384,610, indicating a significant 54.4% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Institute for Nonviolence Chicago increased in the last year. The group received $6,457,100 in government grants in 2023, compared to $8,689,650 in 2024—an increase of 34.6% 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.
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago 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 | $447,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Edward Siskel | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Elinor A Jannotta | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | John Eugene Maki | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | John M Rich | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Karen D Salmon | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | KEITH JOHNSON | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Lisa Stephens | Chief Operating Officer |
| 2024-2024 | Selwyn Olweston Rogers Jr | Vice Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Shani Buggs | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Steve M Epting | Board Member |
| 2024-2024 | Tamiya Michelle Aurel | Board Member (Until 1/31/23) |
| 2024-2024 | Temi Bennett | Board Member (Until 3/27/23) |
| 2024-2024 | Teny Oded Gross | Ceo/Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Wendy Lynn Duboe | Chair |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Anthony Louis Coppoletta | Victim Advocate | - |
| 2024 | Darryn Milton Powell | Outreach Worker | - |
| 2024 | Janette Alonso | Marketing And Communications Associate | - |
| 2024 | Patricia A Burke | Data Analyst | - |
| 2024 | Phu Quoc Huynh | Training And Development Specialist | - |
| 2024 | Sarah Smith | Grants Manager | - |
| 2024 | Tara B Dabney | Director Of Development And Communications | - |
| 2024 | Tashee E Poplous | Supervisor Of Victim Service | - |
| 2019 | Ashley R Perkins | Lead Trainer | - |
| 2019 | Sydney M Epting | Outreach Worker | - |
| 2018 | Amanda Raywen Hwu | Data Manager | - |
| 2018 | Dominique N Cole | Staffer | - |
| 2018 | Richard Q Wilkens | Case Management Supervisor | - |
| 2018 | Shannon Barr | Program Manager, Victim Services And Case Management | - |
| 2017 | Joshua J Brooks | Senior School Outreach Worker | - |
| 2017 | Zerlina Smith | Event Coordinator | - |
| 2016 | Elena S Calzada | Victim Advocate | - |
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