Public Charity

BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC

BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC is a nonprofit organization categorized as Public Charity based in CHICAGO, IL. Its most recent IRS filing (2024) reports revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $4.7M, total assets of $5.4M. Imperigo tracks 60 reported grant relationships connected to this organization totaling approximately $5.5M.

EIN: 360802950 CHICAGO, IL Government & Public Administration NTEE: W20 Latest filing: 2024
Total Revenue$4.5M
Total Expenses$4.7M
Total Assets$5.4M
Grant Records60
Funding Total$5.5M
Filing Years2020–2024

Mission

THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION") WORKS TO FIGHT WASTE, CORRUPTION, AND INEFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT, IN ILLINOIS BY USING INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM TECHNIQUES, LITIGATION, AND PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES TO EXPOSE PROBLEMS, INFORM CITIZENS ABOUT THE OPERATIONS OF THEIR GOVERNMENT AND LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR SUBSTANTIVE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS.

Where $100 goes at Better Government Association Inc

How Better Government Association Inc divides every $100 it spends, from its own Form 990 filings, averaged across 8 years.

$77 Programs the work itself
$9 Management running the organization
$14 Fundraising raising the next dollar

Inside the $77 for programs

$49
Investigative
63% of program spending
$14
Civic engagement
19% of program spending
$14
Policy team
18% of program spending
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Source: Form 990 filings with the IRS, latest fiscal year 2024. Shares are from the organization's reported expenses. Data by Imperigo; not affiliated with the IRS.

Sample Grants Received

2025
PROGRAM SUPPORT
$10,025
2024
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, ILLINOIS SOLUTIONS PARTNERSHIP AND SPONSORSHIP
$1,173,000
2024
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
$287,450
2024
General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
$104,059
2024
GRANTS FROM DONOR ADVISED FUNDS- OPERATING SUPPORT
$101,300

Showing up to 5 of 60 total records — full history available with membership.

Officers & Directors

DIRECTOR Alicia Garcia-Abner
VP, DEVELOPMENT Amber Bel Cher
DIR. UNTIL 11/24, THEN VICE CHAIR Anne Dooley
DIRECTOR Brian Sher
VP OF POLICY Bryan Zarou
DIRECTOR Chris Rooney

Officer compensation and complete director data available with membership.

Top Grant Purposes

General Support
$4,068,435 54 grants
Fundraising & Sponsorship
$1,173,000 1 grant
Research & Policy
$150,000 1 grant
Human & Social Services
$108,375 3 grants
Civil Rights & Social Justice
$10,200 1 grant

Financial Trends

Year Revenue Expenses Assets
2024 $4.5M $4.7M $5.4M
2023 $4.3M $4.4M $4.0M
2022 $4.2M $4.0M $3.9M
2021 $3.0M $2.9M $3.9M
2020 $2.8M $2.7M $4.1M

Between 2020 and 2024, reported annual revenue grew from $2.8M to $4.5M (+63%), with total assets most recently reported at $5.4M.

Interactive year-over-year charts and full filing details available with membership.

See the full picture for BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC

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