Yvette Ewing, Community Developer at The Community Works Inc Nfp | Facebook
Yvette Ewing, Community Developer at The Community Works Inc Nfp | Facebook
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 2019 by Bob Brinley, The Community Works Inc Nfp states that its mission is: “The Community Works will partner with all willing and capable people, that are unable to sustain themselves and their families, to assist them in advancing to economic self-sufficiency through employment.”
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 $748,678 in total revenue. Of that, $741,859 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 99.1% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $743,340 in contributions overall. It also reported $1,481 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, The Community Works Inc Nfp had $544,979 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $745,074, indicating a significant 36.7% 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.
The Community Works Inc Nfp 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 | Leon Small | Co President |
| 2024-2024 | Lorreal Tolbert | Co President |
| 2024-2024 | Ronnel V Ewing | Program Director |
| 2024-2024 | Shelby Parcham | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Yvette Ewing | Executive Director |
Alerts Sign-up