Nonprofit · EIN 36-4268095
CARA PROGRAM
Tax-exempt · CHICAGO, IL 60661
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $20,870,682 | $16,565,889 | $4,304,793 | $26,522,087 | $4,357,676 | $22,164,411 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $22,768,907 | $15,419,503 | $7,349,404 | $22,687,332 | $4,874,329 | $17,813,003 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $16,034,825
- of which government grants
- $4,455,521
- Program service revenue
- $4,368,115
- Investment income
- $576,127
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $46,540
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$141,133
- Net income from gaming
- $24,284
- Other revenue
- -$108,385
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $500,820
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,275,089
- Other salaries and wages
- $9,139,414
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $12,375,304
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $36,981
- Occupancy
- $499,533
- Travel
- $228,714
- Depreciation
- $538,262
- Program services (functional)
- $12,249,104
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,616,231
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,700,554
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $22,687,332
- Total assets, end of year
- $26,522,087
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $4,357,676
- Net assets, end of year
- $22,164,411
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $6,195,971
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $19,704,690
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $2,459,721
- Gross receipts
- $23,264,566
- Employees
- 837
- Volunteers
- 250
- Year formed
- 1999
- State of legal domicile
- IL
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Caliento | President/CEO Officer | 37.5 | $270,826 | $29,164 |
| Tara Harper | Chief External Affairs Officer Officer | 37.5 | $196,049 | $17,487 |
| Joel Pomerenk | CFO Officer | 37.5 | $177,285 | $6,209 |
| Lauren Feldman | Chief Operating Officer Officer | 37.5 | $178,501 | $1,936 |
| Brady Gott | Chief Social Enterprise Officer Officer | 37.5 | $130,629 | $26,266 |
| Kimberly Massenburg | Chief Impact Officer Officer | 37.5 | $131,739 | $19,854 |
| Cheryl Gavin | Senior Controller Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $121,255 | $14,075 |
| Joseph Mutuc | CTO Officer | 37.5 | $118,145 | $0 |
| Kristen Boelkens | HR Manager Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $110,217 | $4,903 |
| Ron Holakovsky | Manager Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $105,284 | $2,523 |
| Liana Bran | Manager Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $102,025 | $0 |
| Mark Toriski | Manager Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $101,038 | $0 |
| Andrea O'Leary | Director Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| Andrew Davis | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Brenda Battle | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
19 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Rafferty | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Doyoung Yong | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| J Todd Philips | Director Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| Jaclyn Trovato | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Julie Owens Burns | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Keisha Mullings-Smith | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Kelvin Buncum | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Marta Delgado | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Regina Cross | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Rufus Smith | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Scott Gidwitz | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Stephen Sheldon | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Steven Quirk | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Terrill North | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Thomas Owens Jr | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Wendy Raymer | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Willette Benford | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| William Eveland | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Matt Michalak | Chief Financial Officer Officer | 37.5 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 27 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Caliento | President/CEO Officer | 37.5 | $263,997 | $29,594 |
| Tara Harper | Managing Director Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $181,529 | $15,061 |
| Joel Pomerenk | CFO Officer | 37.5 | $177,453 | $7,682 |
| Brady Gott | Managing Director of Clean Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $121,177 | $22,769 |
| Joseph Mutuc | Chief Business Development Officer | 37.5 | $118,704 | $12,434 |
| Sara Wasserteil | Managing Director of Cara Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $119,434 | $11,507 |
| Kimberly Massenburg | Managing Director Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $115,248 | $13,765 |
| Cheryl Gavin | Senior Controller Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $114,097 | $12,287 |
| Andrea O'Leary | Director Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| Andrew Davis | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Billy 'Akau'ola | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Brenda Battle | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Brent Rasmussen | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DeRondal Bevly | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Doyoung Yong | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| J Todd Philips | Director Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Jaclyn Trovato | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Julie Owens Burns | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Kapil Khanna | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Kate Kutay | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Marta Delgado | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Regina Cross | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rufus Smith | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Steven Quirk | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Terrill North | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Thomas Owens Jr | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Wendy Raymer | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 237 S DESPLAINES ST, CHICAGO, IL 60661-5515
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- Kathleen St Louis Calien, 237 S DesPlaines, Chicago, IL 60661
- Signed the 990
- Kathleen St Louis Caliento, President & CEO
- Phone
- (312) 798-3334
- Website
- www.caracollective.org
- Return prepared by
- Desmond & Ahern Ltd
Mission
Build an inclusive economy by developing employment pathways to advance transformative individual and community success.
Program accomplishments
- Traditional Training & Placement Program is Cara's traditional services which includes a comprehensive range of training and support for motivated individuals affected by poverty and homelessness, including life-skills training, specialized job-skills training, and personalized career placement services.South Side Campus (SSC) is Cara's South Side campus and provides trainings and workshops similar to Cara's traditional program. The SSC also offers drop-in financial and digital literacy trainings and referrals to wraparound supportive services.Employment Retention ensures that participants of Cara have the tools needed for long-term selfsufficiency.Cara offers personal and professional coaching throughout each participant's first year of employment. These services include: regular one-on-one meetings with employed participants about on-the-job successes and challenges; and development of individual long-term goals, including goals related to housing, education, and debt repayment. As a result, over 70% or more of employed Cara participants receiving this support remain in their first job placement for at least one year. In addition to employment retention support, Cara's Career AdvancementProgram supports participants who have not only achieved stability in their personal and professional lives, but who also show an exceptional drive to grow in their careers. Once participants have been employed for at least six months and are established personally and professionally, they may opt in to career advancement services.Expenses $6,729,554 · grants $450,199 · revenue $129,392
- TCP Staffing, LLC (TCP Staffing) dba Cara Connects, a wholly owned limited liability company started in 2011, was created to manage employment of individuals in the transitional jobs aspect of Cara Chicago. Cara Connects employs participants who are working transitional jobs for Cleanslate and Cara Chicago as well as select companies outside of the enterprise. In 2013, Cara Connects expanded to be a contract staffing firm dedicated to sourcing quality candidates to fulfill critical entry-level positions within Chicago's growing job market by providing temporary and temporary to permanent opportunities.Expenses $280,493 · grants $1,356 · revenue $298,040
- Cleanslate Chicago, LLC (Cleanslate), a wholly-owned limited liability company started in 2005, provides exterior maintenance services to customers across Chicago. The program was created as a vehicle for individuals with significant obstacles to employment - particularly individuals with criminal backgrounds to gain on-the-job work experience and intensive support services through transitional jobs. Cleanslate is a complement to Cara and provides additional services and training opportunities for at-risk individuals. For tax purposes, Cleanslate is treated as a disregarded entity and will be included in Cara Chicago's financial statements and tax reporting. Under applicable accounting standards, Cara Chicago is required to prepare consolidated financial statements with CleanslateExpenses $5,239,057 · grants $49,265 · revenue $3,949,147
- Cara Works, LLC a wholly owned limited liability company started in 2018, was organized to further the charitable purpose of Cara Chicago by serving as employer of record for workers employed in transitional jobs through other social enterprises.
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 36-4268095
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1999
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Employment (J200)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $26,522,087
- Income (IRS master file)
- $23,264,566
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $20,870,682 | $16,565,889 | $26,522,087 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $22,768,907 | $15,419,503 | $22,687,332 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $12,735,070 | $12,734,641 | $15,398,039 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2022 | $11,673,454 | $11,796,520 | $15,165,260 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 36-4268095).
Questions about CARA PROGRAM
- What is the EIN of CARA PROGRAM?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CARA PROGRAM is 36-4268095.
- Is CARA PROGRAM tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1999.
- Are donations to CARA PROGRAM tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CARA PROGRAM file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of CARA PROGRAM due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CARA PROGRAM last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of CARA PROGRAM?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names Kathleen St Louis Calien.
- Who are the officers and directors of CARA PROGRAM?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 34 people; 12 received compensation from the organization, the highest $270,826 (Kathleen Caliento, President/CEO).
- How much revenue does CARA PROGRAM have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $20,870,682, expenses of $16,565,889 and total assets of $26,522,087 at year end.
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