nonprofit logo

Grow Your Own Illinois

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 208324406 ✦ Chicago, IL ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

Shop smarter and support your favorite cause at the same time! With the Give Freely browser extension, you'll automatically save money with coupons, and partner stores will donate to your chosen charity - at no extra cost to you. Start giving back with a single click. It's safe, free, and spam-free, guaranteed!

Overview

What is Grow Your Own Illinois?

Grow Your Own Illinois (GYOIL) is a nonprofit organization situated in Chicago, Illinois. In 2020, it was appointed as the administrator of the Illinois Grow Your Own Teachers Program, distributing grants to five local programs across the state, benefiting nearly 200 teacher candidates. GYOIL's mission is to empower racially diverse and community-connected individuals to obtain teaching certifications for challenging school environments and positions. By doing so, they aim to enhance the educational opportunities and outcomes for their students. Currently, GYOIL operates with a team of ten dedicated individuals.


Official website here: www.growyourownteachers.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 96% - Four-Star out of Four Star rating

Grow Your Own Illinois has achieved an impressive score of 96%, earning it a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator. This high rating reflects the organization’s strong focus on accountability and financial management, which is crucial for maintaining trust with donors and stakeholders. The rating is derived entirely from the accountability and finance category, indicating the organization's commitment to transparency and ethical governance.

The nonprofit boasts a completely independent board, with all eight members meeting the standards of independence. Additionally, it has a strong financial oversight presence, as evidenced by its exemplary audit practices and policies regarding conflict of interest and whistleblower protections. A program expense ratio of 97.20% highlights that a significant majority of its resources are dedicated to its mission-driven programs, which is a positive indicator of effective resource allocation.

One limitation noted in the available data is the lack of detailed information on programmatic outcomes or impact, which could provide a more comprehensive view of the organization’s effectiveness beyond financial accountability. However, the strong financial standing and governance practices position Grow Your Own Illinois as a reliable nonprofit in its field.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

Is Grow Your Own Illinois legitimate?

Grow Your Own Illinois is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Grow Your Own Illinois submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $167,358
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $676,071

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.growyourownteachers.org

What is the mission statement of Grow Your Own Illinois?

Grow Your Own Illinois, as a mission, aims to support racially diverse and community-linked individuals in becoming certified teachers for hard-to-staff schools and positions. This objective is driven by the goal of enhancing the educational opportunities and outcomes for their students. In 2020, Grow Your Own Illinois was appointed as the administrator of the Illinois Grow Your Own Teachers Program, providing grants to five local programs across the state, supporting nearly 200 teacher candidates.


Official website here: www.growyourownteachers.org

Who is the CEO of Grow Your Own Illinois?

Liza Pappas is the President of Grow Your Own Illinois.


Official website here: www.growyourownteachers.org

What is the revenue of Grow Your Own Illinois?

Grow Your Own Illinois's revenue in 2023 was $3,410,743.


Official website here: www.growyourownteachers.org

Who are the executives of Grow Your Own Illinois and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Grow Your Own Illinois during 2023 was $84,343. There are 10 employees and 8 volunteers at Grow Your Own Illinois.


Here are 11 key members and their salaries:


Jennifer Johnson (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Mayra Bravo Gonzalez (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Chris Brown (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Ebony Deberry (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Juliet De Jesus Alejandre (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Demetrius Davis (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Joaquin Fonte (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Rajan Shahi (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Liza N Pappas (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $146,250
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $21,108
Roey A Ahram (Director Of Strategy And Learning)
  • Compensation: $103,250
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $14,316
Tasha L Levy (Deputy Director)
  • Compensation: $113,182
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $9,121


Official website here: www.growyourownteachers.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Grow Your Own Illinois?

Grow Your Own Illinois's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2023 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.growyourownteachers.org

Learn more at the official website: www.growyourownteachers.org

Mission Statement of Grow Your Own Illinois

Grow Your Own Illinois, or GYO, is an organization with a mission to support racially diverse and community-connected individuals in becoming certified teachers for hard-to-staff schools and positions. The ultimate goal is to enhance the educational opportunities and outcomes for their students. By providing grants to locally-run programs across Illinois, GYO currently assists nearly 200 teacher candidates in achieving this objective. The organization's aim is to foster a more inclusive and effective educational environment by empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to make a significant impact in their local schools.

Shop smarter and support your favorite cause with the Give Freely browser extension. Save money with coupons and donate to charity with a single click. Download now!

Impact




October, 2024

Grow Your Own Illinois (GYO) significantly impacts education by addressing the critical shortage of certified teachers in hard-to-staff schools. By empowering racially diverse and community-connected individuals to pursue teaching careers, GYO enhances the representation of educators in classrooms, which can lead to improved outcomes for students.

In 2020, GYO became the administrator of the Illinois Grow Your Own Teachers Program, facilitating grants to five local programs across the state. This initiative currently supports nearly 200 teacher candidates, fostering a new generation of educators who are not only qualified but also closely connected to the communities they serve. As these candidates become certified teachers, they contribute to a more equitable educational landscape, ultimately elevating the academic experiences and opportunities available to their students.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Grow Your Own Illinois. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$3,410,743 (2023)
Expenses
$3,328,449 (2023)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2023.

  • Investment Income: $7
  • Gross Receipts: $3,410,743

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $1,120,232
  • Total Liabilities: $184,053
  • Net Assets: $936,179

Want to help this charity, for free? You can click here to learn more about Give Freely

Organization Details

Founding Year

2007

Principal Officer

Liza Pappas

Main Address

1901 W CARROLL AVENUE 201A, CHICAGO, IL, 60612

NTEE Category

Code: B90 - Education

If you are a representative of Grow Your Own Illinois and wish to learn more about how Give Freely can help you raise funds, please click here: https://givefreely.com/nonprofits/. Our services are offered at no cost to your organization.