Ralph Martire, Executive Director at Center for Tax and Budget Accountability | https://www.ctbaonline.org/
Ralph Martire, Executive Director at Center for Tax and Budget Accountability | https://www.ctbaonline.org/
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 2000 by Ralph M. Martire, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability states that its mission is: “CTBA is committed to fostering social and economic justice through evidence-based, best practice public policy solutions that are sustainable over time and adequately funded to generate desired outcomes.”
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 $618,284 in total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $596,172 in contributions overall. It also reported $596,172 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability had $865,490 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $976,610, indicating a 12.8% 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.
Center for Tax and Budget Accountability 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 | Addison E Woodward Jr | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Byron T Brazier Sr | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Daniel Montgomery | Director |
| 2024-2024 | David R May | Board Chair |
| 2024-2024 | David Borris | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Edwin Olivieri | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Gina Buccola | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jane Lehmann | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jean Sussman | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jonathan Jackson | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Kathy Nesburg | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Kyle Pa Westbrook | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Leslie N Bond | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Marleis Trover | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Martha J Merrill | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Michael Morgan Shoudy | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ralph Martire | President |
| 2024-2024 | Robin Louise Kelly | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Sylvia Puente | Director |
| 2024-2024 | William Mcnary | Vice Chair |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Daniel F Laspata | Policy Intern | - |
| 2010 | Myron K Washington | Research Intern | - |
| 2008 | Bukola M Bello | Director, Illinois Retirement Security Initiative | - |
| - | Daniel Kay Hertz | Research Director | - |
| - | Deborah L Bandy | Director | - |
| - | Ralph Martire | Executive Director | - |
| - | Robert E Otter | Budget Director | - |
| - | Sydney Smith | Development Director | - |
| - | Tracy Ann Schonberger | Administrative Director | - |
Alerts Sign-up