Mission
THE ORGANIZATION HELPS LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS ACCESS THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES THEY NEED TO CLIMB UP THE ECONOMIC LADDER. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS FREE TAX PREPARATION, FINANCIAL AID AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.
Public Charity
LADDER UP (F/K/A CITY-WIDE TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM)
LADDER UP (F/K/A CITY-WIDE TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM) is a nonprofit organization categorized as Public Charity based in CHICAGO, IL. Its most recent IRS filing (2025) reports revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $2.9M, total assets of $7.3M. Imperigo tracks 50 reported grant relationships connected to this organization totaling approximately $1.2M.
EIN: 364070692
CHICAGO, IL
Education N.E.C.
NTEE: B99
Latest filing: 2025
Total Revenue$3.0M
Total Expenses$2.9M
Total Assets$7.3M
Grant Records50
Funding Total$1.2M
Filing Years2021–2025
Where $100 goes at Ladder Up (F/K/a City-Wide Tax Assistance Program)
How Ladder Up (F/K/a City-Wide Tax Assistance Program) divides every $100 it spends, from its own Form 990 filings, averaged across 7 years.
$77
Programs
the work itself
$14
Management
running the organization
$9
Fundraising
raising the next dollar
Inside the $77 for programs
$63
Tax assistance program:ladder up operates one of the largest and oldest state-wide volunteer income tax assistance programs of its kind, offering both in-person and digital services to over…
$9
Low-income tax clinic:ladder up provides free, high quality professional repressentation to low-income tax payers facing an IRS or idor controversy
$5
Financial capability program:ladder up provides year-round workshops, coordinates savings campaigns, and offers financial coaching to help clients set financial goals and manage major life financial events
Source: Form 990 filings with the IRS, latest fiscal year 2025. Shares are from the organization's reported expenses. Data by Imperigo; not affiliated with the IRS.
Sample Grants Received
FOR RECIPIENT'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
$39,500
TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES
$30,000
PROGRAM SUPPORT
$25,460
COLLEGE SUCCESS TRACK OF THE FINANCIAL CAPABILITY PROGRAM
$18,000
EDUCATION
$7,700
Showing up to 5 of 50 total records — full history available with membership.
Officers & Directors
DIRECTOR - TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Becky Santiago
VICE PRESIDENT
John Chandler
DIRECTOR FINANCE & ADMIN (END 2/25)
Katrina Mcdermott
CO-FOUNDER
Mark Sneider
DIRECTOR
Mercedes Williams
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (END 9/24)
Phyllis Cavallone
Officer compensation and complete director data available with membership.
Top Grant Purposes
Financial Trends
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.0M | $2.9M | $7.3M |
| 2024 | $4.0M | $2.3M | $6.9M |
| 2023 | $2.9M | $2.4M | $4.7M |
| 2022 | $2.9M | $2.4M | $3.8M |
| 2021 | $2.8M | $2.5M | $3.9M |
Between 2021 and 2025, reported annual revenue grew from $2.8M to $3.0M (+8%), with total assets most recently reported at $7.3M.
Interactive year-over-year charts and full filing details available with membership.