Alberto Carrión, Executive Director at Carpenter’s Place | carpentersplace.org
Alberto Carrión, Executive Director at Carpenter’s Place | carpentersplace.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 2000 by Al Barsema and Cathy Barsema, Carpenter's Place states that its mission is: “To help those suffering from homelessness find peace and hope.”
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 $2,081,820 in total revenue. Of that, $357,937 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 17.2% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $1,721,430 in contributions overall. It also reported $524,171 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $1,363,490 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Carpenter's Place had $4,626,240 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $4,287,190, indicating a 7.3% decline in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Carpenter's Place declined in the last year, falling from $565,103 in 2023 to $357,937 in 2024—a decrease of 36.7% 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.
Carpenter's Place 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 | Aaron B Vaiden | Vice Preside |
| 2024-2024 | Carandust T Brown Jr | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Danielle Burza | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Feather K Anderson | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Frank A Perrecone | President |
| 2024-2024 | Jeffrey J Beto | Past Preside |
| 2024-2024 | Katherine Ann Kwiat | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Katie Zimmerman | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Kenneth L Buss | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Lesly K Couper | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Matt Dalstom | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Michelle Dittbenner | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Mike O'Connor | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Nicole Denyse Morig | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ryan Dickerson | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Tom Laughlin | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Walter Haas | Director |
| 2024-2024 | William J Durako | Director |
| 2024-2024 | William Dahlberg | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Benjamin Mark Zickafoose | Chief Executive Officer | - |
| 2024 | Connie Lee Carpenter | Domestic Engineer | - |
| 2024 | Shon Devon Bryan | Child Care | - |
| 2024 | Victor Lopez | Bilingual Case Manager | - |
| 2019 | Christina R Larson | Case Manager And Veteran's Transitional Housing Coordinator | - |
| 2016 | Anthony J Musso | Employment Case Manager | - |
| 2016 | Sara Schrader | - | |
| 2015 | David Murray Jr | Job Development Coordinator And Case Manager | - |
| 2015 | Dell E Lewis | Dayroom Manager | - |
| 2015 | Sarah Anna Dietz | Women's Housing Case Manager And General Case Manager | - |
| 2013 | Jennifier L White | House Parent | - |
| 2007 | Rhonda J Brown | Case Manager | - |
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