The Cara Program

EIN: 364268095 501(c)(3) Employment

Chicago, IL

Total Revenue
$20,870,682
Total Expenses
$16,565,889
Total Assets
$26,522,087
Net Assets
$22,164,411
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1999
Legal Domicile
IL
Principal Officer
Kathleen St Louis Calien
Phone
3127983334
Tax Period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

The Cara Program, founded in 1999, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Employment sector that reported $20.9M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue decreased 8% compared to the prior year. The organization ran a surplus of $4.3M, a strong 21% operating margin.

Mission

Build an inclusive economy by developing employment pathways to advance transformative individual and community success.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $6,729,554 Revenue: $129,392

Traditional Training & Placement Program is Cara's traditional services which includes a comprehensive range of training and support for motivated individuals affected by poverty and homelessness...

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Traditional Training & Placement Program is Cara's traditional services which includes a comprehensive range of training and support for motivated individuals affected by poverty and homelessness, including life-skills training, specialized job-skills training, and personalized career placement services.South Side Campus (SSC) is Cara's South Side campus and provides trainings and workshops similar to Cara's traditional program. The SSC also offers drop-in financial and digital literacy trainings and referrals to wraparound supportive services.Employment Retention ensures that participants of Cara have the tools needed for long-term selfsufficiency.Cara offers personal and professional coaching throughout each participant's first year of employment. These services include: regular one-on-one meetings with employed participants about on-the-job successes and challenges; and development of individual long-term goals, including goals related to housing, education, and debt repayment. As a result, over 70% or more of employed Cara participants receiving this support remain in their first job placement for at least one year. In addition to employment retention support, Cara's Career AdvancementProgram supports participants who have not only achieved stability in their personal and professional lives, but who also show an exceptional drive to grow in their careers. Once participants have been employed for at least six months and are established personally and professionally, they may opt in to career advancement services.

Program 2
Expenses: $280,493 Revenue: $298,040

TCP Staffing, LLC (TCP Staffing) dba Cara Connects, a wholly owned limited liability company started in 2011, was created to manage employment of individuals in the transitional jobs aspect of Cara...

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TCP Staffing, LLC (TCP Staffing) dba Cara Connects, a wholly owned limited liability company started in 2011, was created to manage employment of individuals in the transitional jobs aspect of Cara Chicago. Cara Connects employs participants who are working transitional jobs for Cleanslate and Cara Chicago as well as select companies outside of the enterprise. In 2013, Cara Connects expanded to be a contract staffing firm dedicated to sourcing quality candidates to fulfill critical entry-level positions within Chicago's growing job market by providing temporary and temporary to permanent opportunities.

Program 3
Expenses: $5,239,057 Revenue: $3,949,147

Cleanslate Chicago, LLC (Cleanslate), a wholly-owned limited liability company started in 2005, provides exterior maintenance services to customers across Chicago. The program was created as a...

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Cleanslate Chicago, LLC (Cleanslate), a wholly-owned limited liability company started in 2005, provides exterior maintenance services to customers across Chicago. The program was created as a vehicle for individuals with significant obstacles to employment - particularly individuals with criminal backgrounds to gain on-the-job work experience and intensive support services through transitional jobs. Cleanslate is a complement to Cara and provides additional services and training opportunities for at-risk individuals. For tax purposes, Cleanslate is treated as a disregarded entity and will be included in Cara Chicago's financial statements and tax reporting. Under applicable accounting standards, Cara Chicago is required to prepare consolidated financial statements with Cleanslate

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $16,034,825
Program Service Revenue $4,368,115
Investment Income $576,127
Other Revenue $-108,385
TOTAL REVENUE $20,870,682

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $500,820
Salaries & Benefits $12,375,304
Fundraising Expenses $1,700,554
Program Expenses $12,249,104
Other Expenses $3,689,765
TOTAL EXPENSES $16,565,889

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $20,870,682 $22,768,907 -0.1%
Expenses $16,565,889 $15,419,503 +0.1%
Net Income $4,304,793 $7,349,404 -0.4%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
21
Independent Members
21
Employees
837
Volunteers
250

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
8
$1,304,090
Total Directors
21
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Andrea O'Leary Director 3.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Andrew Davis Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Brenda Battle Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Chris Rafferty Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Doyoung Yong Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
J Todd Philips Director 4.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Jaclyn Trovato Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Julie Owens Burns Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Keisha Mullings-Smith Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Kelvin Buncum Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Marta Delgado Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Regina Cross Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Rufus Smith Director 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Scott Gidwitz Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Stephen Sheldon Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Steven Quirk Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Terrill North Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Thomas Owens Jr Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Wendy Raymer Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Willette Benford Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
William Eveland Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Kathleen Caliento President/CEO 37.50
Officer
$270,826 $29,164 $299,990
Tara Harper Chief External Affairs Officer 37.50
Officer
$196,049 $17,487 $213,536
Matt Michalak Chief Financial Officer 37.50
Officer
$0 $0 $0
Lauren Feldman Chief Operating Officer 37.50
Officer
$178,501 $1,936 $180,437
Joel Pomerenk CFO 37.50
Officer
$177,285 $6,209 $183,494
Kimberly Massenburg Chief Impact Officer 37.50
Officer
$131,739 $19,854 $151,593
Brady Gott Chief Social Enterprise Officer 37.50
Officer
$130,629 $26,266 $156,895
Joseph Mutuc CTO 37.50
Officer
$118,145 $0 $118,145
Cheryl Gavin Senior Controller 37.50
Highest
$121,255 $14,075 $135,330
Kristen Boelkens HR Manager 37.50
Highest
$110,217 $4,903 $115,120
Ron Holakovsky Manager 37.50
Highest
$105,284 $2,523 $107,807
Mark Toriski Manager 37.50
Highest
$101,038 $0 $101,038
Liana Bran Manager 37.50
Highest
$102,025 $0 $102,025
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $20,870,682 $16,565,889 $26,522,087 $4,304,793
2024 $22,768,907 $15,419,503 $22,687,332 $7,349,404
2023 $12,735,070 $12,734,641 $15,398,039 $429
2022 $11,673,454 $11,796,520 $15,165,260 $-123,066
2021 $12,971,021 $10,991,144 $14,262,035 $1,979,877
2020 $11,410,404 $11,014,918 $13,105,183 $395,486
2019 $9,630,436 $10,005,930 $11,341,019 $-375,494
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