Lynette Kelly-Bell, Co- Executive Director at A House in Austin | https://www.ahouseinaustin.org/
Lynette Kelly-Bell, Co- Executive Director at A House in Austin | https://www.ahouseinaustin.org/
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 2016 by Erica Hilgart, A House in Austin states that its mission is: “To offer holistic programs to families on the west side of Chicago that foster responsive relationships between parents and children to lessen toxic stress, empowering parents to address the social and emotional wellbeing of their families for academic and lifelong success.”
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 $294,806 in total revenue. Of that, $282,171 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 95.7% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $294,806 in contributions overall. It also reported $53 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, A House in Austin had $587,841 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $541,587, indicating a 7.9% decline in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to A House in Austin surged in the last year. The group received $140,165 in government grants in 2023, compared to $282,171 in 2024—an increase of 101.3% 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.
A House in Austin 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 | ANDREA NICOLE HAYNES | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Heather J Pflederer | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Kathryn F Skoglund | President |
| 2024-2024 | Lisa Desai | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Nicole Linder | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Pamela G Valderrama | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Precious A Jones | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Sarah Smith | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Tenisha Phillips Lcpc | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Erica Hodges Hilgart | Founder | - |
Alerts Sign-up