Nancy Dorfman, Cheif Operating Officer at Hephzibah Children's Association | Linkedin
Nancy Dorfman, Cheif Operating Officer at Hephzibah Children's Association | Linkedin
The listed appropriations included grants of $500,000 and $1 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 1902 by Mary Wessels, Hephzibah Children's Association states that its mission is: “Hephzibah is Oak Park’s oldest social service agency. Our mission is to help children thrive and families flourish through innovative, community-based programs.”
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 $12,618,600 in total revenue. Of that, $8,697,910 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 68.9% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $10,890,100 in contributions overall. It also reported $173,067 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $1,658,600 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Hephzibah Children's Association had $12,105,600 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $14,756,000, indicating a 21.9% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding remained fairly steady year-over-year, changing from $8,444,410 in 2023 to $8,697,910 in 2024 (a difference of 3%).
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Hephzibah Children's Association 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 | $500,001 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | ALEX KIRSCH LEIBOWITZ | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Amy M Felton | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Byron F Taylor | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Craig Williams | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Donna J Rolf | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Jack Michael Yates | Director |
| 2024-2024 | James Woywod | Director Of Group Homes |
| 2024-2024 | Jennifer Ellis | Vice-President |
| 2024-2024 | Jerecki Garner | Director |
| 2024-2024 | John Mcconville | Director |
| 2024-2024 | John Ide | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Julie Dvorsky | Director Of Family Based S |
| 2024-2024 | Kenna Weidner Mackinnon | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Lisa Emerson | President |
| 2024-2024 | Lisa Azu | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Lynde O'Brien | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Marcia Preston | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Mark T Fisher | Director (Left As Of 6/30/23) |
| 2024-2024 | Mary Tortorici | Director Of Finance |
| 2024-2024 | Mary Jane Joyce | Director Of Human Resource |
| 2024-2024 | Merry Beth Sheets | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Nancy Dorfman | Cheif Operating Officer |
| 2024-2024 | Peter T Senechalle | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Richard Wesley | Chief Financial Officer |
| 2024-2024 | Rondell Richardson | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Leesa L Tinervia | - | |
| 1999 | Theresa A Nelis | - | |
| 1992 | Jill Koski | - | |
| - | Amy T O Rourke | Director Of Day Care Services | - |
| - | James A Woywod | Director Of Group Homes | - |
| - | Julie M Dvorsky | Director Of Family Based Services | - |
| - | Juliet L Yera | Director Of Development | - |
| - | Mary Jane Joyce-Byrne | Director Of Human Resources | - |
| - | Mary Anne B Brown | Ceo/President | - |
| - | Merry Beth Sheets | Executive Director | - |
| - | Shaun P Lane | Coo | - |
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