Rabbi Ari Strulowitz, Director of Operations at Agudath Israel of Illinois | agudahil.org
Rabbi Ari Strulowitz, Director of Operations at Agudath Israel of Illinois | agudahil.org
The listed appropriations included two grants of $400,000, plus an additional grant of $150,000, 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 1922 by Rabbi Shlomo Davis, Agudath Israel of Illinois states that its mission is: “Building stronger Jewish communities in the Greater Midwest region through education, advocacy, outreach and support.”
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 $9,795,930 in total revenue. Of that, $2,273,000 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 23.2% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $6,360,330 in contributions overall. It also reported $4,060,690 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Agudath Israel of Illinois had $23,957,100 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $20,811,800, indicating a 13.1% decline in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Agudath Israel of Illinois declined in the last year, falling from $2,512,000 in 2023 to $2,273,000 in 2024—a decrease of 9.5% 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.
Agudath Israel of Illinois 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 | 3 | $950,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Abie Gutnicki | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ari Loren Strulowitz | Director Operations |
| 2024-2024 | Avrum Weinfeld | Executive Bo |
| 2024-2024 | Chaim Zvi Rajchenbach | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Eli Alexander Davis | Executive Bo |
| 2024-2024 | Eli Webster | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Michie Nudell | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Mordy Kaplan | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Moshe Y Davis | Executive Vp |
| 2024-2024 | Tzvi Ray | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Yosef Knopf | Executive Bo |
| 2024-2024 | Yosef A Meystel | Executive Bo |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Eli Newmark | Project Manager | - |
| 2024 | Mazal Kornberg | Bookkeeper | - |
| 2024 | Naomi J Horowitz | It Coordinator And Camp Registrar | - |
| 2015 | Jackie Umberger | - | |
| 2014 | Chana Eliana Zaguri | Bus Program Coordinator | - |
| 2014 | Pnina B Perlman | Temporary Bookeeping Assistant | - |
| 2013 | Binyamin Moshe Pinkus | Camp Director | - |
| 2011 | Mary H Klausner | Secretary | - |
| 2007 | Rivka N Masha Klausner | Secretary | - |
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