Veronica Anderson, Chair Emeritus at Community Organizing And Family Issues | cofionline.org
Veronica Anderson, Chair Emeritus at Community Organizing And Family Issues | cofionline.org
The listed appropriations included three equal grants of $250,000 each, 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 1995 by Barack Obama (see comments), Community Organizing and Family Issues (cofi) states that its mission is: “COFI’s mission is to build the power and voice of parents, primarily mothers and grandmothers from Black and Brown communities, to shape the public decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families.”
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 $4,686,450 in total revenue. Of that, $601,450 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 12.8% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $4,470,830 in contributions overall. It also reported $5,176 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $3,869,380 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Community Organizing and Family Issues (cofi) had $5,127,260 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $7,242,250, indicating a significant 41.2% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Community Organizing and Family Issues (cofi) declined in the last year, falling from $818,607 in 2023 to $601,450 in 2024—a decrease of 26.5% 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.
Community Organizing and Family Issues (cofi) 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 | $750,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Diane W Fager | Co-Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Ellen J Schumer | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Felipa Mena | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Henrietta Saunders | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Jacky Grimshaw | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Jennifer Elena Cossyleon | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Lettie Hicks | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Liliana Olayo | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Lina Cramer | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Nia L Heard | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Paula L Baron | Trustee (Thru Nov. 2022) |
| 2024-2024 | Rosazlia Grillier | Co-Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Tonantzin Libertad Carmona | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Veronica B Anderson | Chair Emeritus |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Ellen J Schumer | Executive Director And Co-Founder | - |
| 2024 | Esther Ruth Beard | Lead Organizer And Trainer | - |
| 2024 | Giselle Doyle | Deputy Director, Operations And Special Projects | - |
| 2024 | Henrietta Saunders | Board Member | - |
| 2024 | Maralda J Davis | Peer Advisor | - |
| 2015 | Kassia L Eide | Community Organizer | - |
| 2015 | Priscilla Ramos Chawla | Director Of Operations | - |
| 2015 | Skyler Conley Larrimore | Local Organizer | - |
| 2014 | Laura M Przybysz | Community Organizing Intern | - |
| 2014 | Maryiam Abid Ali Saifuddin | Summer Program Outreach Intern | - |
| 2013 | Shamika A Gould | Ambassador | - |
| 2008 | Jvani K Cabiness | Policy And Organizing Program Assistant | - |
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