Chicago Humanities Festival

EIN: 367148236 501(c)(3) Arts, Culture & Humanities

Chicago, IL

Total Revenue
$4,172,178
Total Expenses
$5,565,934
Total Assets
$20,565,598
Net Assets
$19,967,507
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1996
Legal Domicile
IL
Principal Officer
Heather McWilliams
Phone
3126058444
Tax Period
2024-03-01 to 2025-02-28

Chicago Humanities Festival, founded in 1996, is a community nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $4.2M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue grew 14% year-over-year, indicating healthy expansion. Expenses of $5.6M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 33% operating deficit.

Mission

To promote public appreciation, understanding and support of the humanities through festivals and educational programs.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $4,056,696 Revenue: $4,172,178

The Chicago Humanities Festival is committed to programming that addresses the most challenging conversations, debates, and ideas in American society, and contributes to the quality and range of our...

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The Chicago Humanities Festival is committed to programming that addresses the most challenging conversations, debates, and ideas in American society, and contributes to the quality and range of our civic and cultural discourse.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $3,316,875
Program Service Revenue $946,289
Investment Income $48,300
Other Revenue $-139,286
TOTAL REVENUE $4,172,178

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $2,887,292
Fundraising Expenses $925,224
Program Expenses $4,056,696
Other Expenses $2,678,642
TOTAL EXPENSES $5,565,934

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $4,172,178 $3,666,678 +0.1%
Expenses $5,565,934 $4,823,357 +0.2%
Net Income $-1,393,756 $-1,156,679 +0.2%
Key Indicators
✗ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✗ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✗ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required
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Financial Health Indicators

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Liquidity & Cash Position

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Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

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Governance

Voting Members
35
Independent Members
34
Employees
71
Volunteers
500

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
6
$298,454
Total Directors
35
$298,454
Key Employees
2
$303,318
Highest Compensated
3
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Phillip Bahar Executive Director 40.00
Officer Director
$259,585 $38,869 $298,454
Douglas Jackson Chair 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
John McCarter Vice Chair 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Scott Smith Vice Chair 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Charles Calloway Treasurer 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Cheryl Harris Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Dave Elzinga Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Deborah Telman Secretary 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Heather McWilliams Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Willard Fraumann Emeritus Chair 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Michael Green Co-Creative Director 40.00
Highest
$140,100 $6,638 $146,738
Lauren Pacheco Co-Creative Director 40.00
Highest
$134,669 $14,906 $149,575
Clark Hulse Emeritus Chair 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Allegra Biery Emeritus Chair 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Gabor Balassa Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Shadi Bartsch-Zimmer Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Roderick Branch Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Liz Buchanan Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Erskine Faush Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Suzanne Gignilliat Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Mary Louise Gorno Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Elaine Haydock Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Kamilah Jones Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Raymond McCaskey Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Elizabeth Nolan Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Pradip Patiath Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Meryl Rosen Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Ryan Ruskin Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Anita Sinha Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Grace Stanek Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
James Warren Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Jean Berghoff Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Mary Boyer Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Paul Gignilliat Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Christopher Knight Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Karla Scherer Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Marilynn Thoma Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Brittany Pyle Interim Executive Director 40.00
Key Emp
$104,983 $7,185 $112,168
Devon Nelson Director of Development 40.00
Key Emp
$162,293 $28,857 $191,150
David Vish Director of Marketing and Communications 40.00
Highest
$101,607 $7,163 $108,770
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 $4,172,178 $5,565,934 $20,565,598 $-1,393,756
2025 $4,172,178 $5,565,934 $20,565,598 $-1,393,756
2024 $3,666,678 $4,823,357 $19,397,188 $-1,156,679
2023 $2,846,212 $4,325,357 $17,541,990 $-1,479,145
2022 $6,135,727 $3,853,368 $20,433,533 $2,282,359
2021 $4,127,876 $2,940,208 $17,683,139 $1,187,668
2020 $4,629,026 $4,479,308 $14,261,706 $149,718
2020 $4,629,026 $4,479,308 $14,261,706 $149,718
2019 $4,198,770 $3,630,637 $13,722,790 $568,133
2018 $4,318,704 $3,701,806 $13,176,050 $616,898
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