Brenda Krause Eheart, Executive Director at Hope Meadows | https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/
Brenda Krause Eheart, Executive Director at Hope Meadows | https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/
This appropriation represents 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 1994, Hope Meadows states that its mission is: “To provide community support to families adopting children from foster care, as well as an opportunity for retirees (and near-retirees) to find meaning and purpose as neighbors, mentors, and “grandparents” in a supportive and nurturing environment.”
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 $325,268 in total revenue, including $1,472 in contributions—entirely from government grants across federal, state, or local sources—making up 0.5% of its revenue.
At the beginning of 2024, Hope Meadows had $1,261,660 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $1,236,620, indicating a 2% decline in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Hope Meadows declined in the last year, falling from $2,341 in 2023 to $1,472 in 2024—a decrease of 37.1% 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.
Hope Meadows 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.
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | David Hopping | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Grant M Kelly | Vice-Preside |
| 2024-2024 | Henry H Gamel | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | S Lamar Winston | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Teresa Turner | President/Ch |
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