Karen S. Wells, Former CEO at Bridge Communities Inc. | www.linkedin.com
Karen S. Wells, Former CEO at Bridge Communities Inc. | www.linkedin.com
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 1988 by Mark Milligan and Bob Wahlgren, Bridge Communities states that its mission is: “The mission of Bridge Communities is to transition families facing homelessness to self-sufficiency by working with partners to provide mentoring, housing, and supportive services.”
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 $4,802,950 in total revenue. Of that, $152,362 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 3.2% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $3,406,760 in contributions overall. It also reported $29,270 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $2,600,430 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Bridge Communities had $16,127,100 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $17,085,000, indicating a 5.9% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Bridge Communities declined in the last year, falling from $242,788 in 2023 to $152,362 in 2024—a decrease of 37.2% 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.
Bridge Communities 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 | Amy Van Polen | Ceo |
| 2024-2024 | Ann Pitcher | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Carl Van Dril | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Chad Fischer | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Greg Crawford | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Joli D Murphy | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Karen S. Wells | Former Ceo |
| 2024-2024 | Kathy Madigan | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Laura Jensen | Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Loretta Abrams | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Matt Doucet | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Matt Dymytryszyn | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Meghan Erin Kilian | Director Of Finance And Admin |
| 2024-2024 | Robert Mitchum | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Sara Stolmeier | Vice Chair |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Jennie Gates | Special Event Manager | - |
| - | John Hayner | Chief Executive Officer | - |
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