Special Kids Foundation
https://specialkidsfoundation.org
$3.5M
Total Assets (2025)
$138K
Avg Yearly Giving (2022–2025)
$550K
Giving on File
(4 yrs)
(4 yrs)
28
Grants on File
$22K
Avg Grant Size
About
The Organization is required to complete a yearly audit of its financial statements and relies upon the audited financial statements to complete its 990. During the May 31, 2022 audit and tax engagment, the firm preparing the audit and 990 experienced significant difficulties in completing the audit and 990 resulting from a partner of the firm needing to retire due to health reasons. For this reason, the audit and 990 completion date was delayed due to these unplanned events. The Organization and CPA firm excercised diligence and care to complete the audit and 990 as quickly as possible, under the difficultes experienced. We respectfully request penaly abatement due to reasonable cause as the delay in the completion of the 990 resulted from unforseen difficulties experienced by the CPA firm completing the Organization's 990.
Focus Areas
Application Information
Accepts Unsolicited Proposals
Unknown
Contact Person
Cheryle Yallen
Phone
7733943202
Deadlines
Applications must be submitted by March 1
How to Apply
See Statement Grant application, copy of Federal Form 990, annual budget, certified financial statements for the last 2 years, organization's brochures and materials
Restrictions
See statement Awards are given to organizations that serve children found, or at risk to be found, with developmental disabilities, other than mental illness, resulting in significant impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior. The condition must manifest itself before the person reaches age 22, the condition is likely to continue indefinitely and the condition results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activities: self-care, understanding and use of language, learning, mobility, self-direction, function and participation in family, school, work, community and social activities, and capacity for independent living.
Financial Trends
Giving Over Time
Total Assets Over Time
View financial data as table
| Year | Total Giving | Total Assets | Revenue | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | N/A | $3.2M | $316K | N/A |
| 2020 | N/A | $3.2M | $87K | N/A |
| 2021 | N/A | $3.8M | $187K | N/A |
| 2022 | $200K | $3.3M | $83K | 11 |
| 2023 | $150K | $3.2M | $47K | 8 |
| 2025 | $200K | $3.5M | $252K | 9 |
Grant Size Distribution
Based on 28 grants on record
Minimum
$3K
25th Pctl
$10K
Median
$20K
Average
$20K
75th Pctl
$30K
Maximum
$38K
Geographic Distribution
Key Personnel
| Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Cheryle Yallen | Executive Director | $40K |
| Stacie Cragg | Director | — |
| Sara Mervis | Director | — |
| Sami Glazer | Director | — |
| Ruthy Rabyne | Director | — |
| Peggy Miller | Director | — |
| Pam Kaplan | Director | — |
| Nancy Glazer | Director | — |
| Michele Shoolin | Director | — |
| Mara Lazar | Director | — |
| Mara Lane | Director | — |
| Lauren Litchfield | Director | — |
| Lauren Conway | Director | — |
| Judy Katz | Director | — |
| Janie sills | Director | — |
| Felice Boyer | Director | — |
| Diane Mehlman | Director | — |
| Denise Kaplan | Director | — |
| Deborah Granite | Director | — |
| Barbara Silbert | Director | — |
| Davida Salamon | Secretary | — |
| Heather Weiss | Treasurer | — |
| Cynthia Johnson | Vice President | — |
| Denise Schwartz | President | — |
| CHERYLE N YALLEN | Executive Dir. | — |
| HEATHER BILSKI-WEISS | TREASURER | — |
| GAYLE BYCK | DIRECTOR | — |
| JILL KATZ | DIRECTOR | — |
| BOBBIE LEVINSON | DIRECTOR | — |
| DENNIS SCHWARTZ | VICE PRESIDE | — |
| PEG BEEMAN | DIRECTOR | — |
| RUTH RABYNE | DIRECTOR | — |
| MARY BORTZ | SECRETARY | — |
| GERRY LANE | DIRECTOR | — |
| LAUREN LITOWSKY | DIRECTOR | — |
| MARGOT WEINBERG | DIRECTOR | — |
| ARI LAZAR | TREASURER | — |
Grants Awarded (28 total)
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Purpose | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OAK-LEYDEN DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES | OAK PARK, IL | $38,000 | SUPPORT | 2023 |
| Helping Hand | Countryside, IL | $35,306 | Support | 2025 |
| THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | BIRTH-TO-THREE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM | 2022 |
| The Chicago Lighthouse | Chicago, IL | $35,000 | Support | 2025 |
| The Kids Equipment Network | Itasca, IL | $30,000 | Support | 2025 |
| PARENTS ALLIANCE EMPLOYMENT PROJECT | LISLE, IL | $30,000 | PROJECT SEARCH | 2022 |
| THE KIDS EQUIPMENT NETWORK | ITASCA, IL | $30,000 | SUPPORT | 2023 |
| Search Inc | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | Support | 2025 |
| EASTER SEAS OF DUPAGE | VILLA PARK, IL | $25,000 | MAKE THE FIRST FIVE COUNT PROGRAM | 2022 |
| Special Gifts Theatre | Northbrook, IL | $25,000 | Support | 2025 |
| Oak Leydon Developmental Services | Oak Park, IL | $23,269 | Support | 2025 |
| LARABIDA CHILDRENS HOSPITAL | CHICAGO, IL | $21,000 | PREMIER KIDS PROGRAM | 2022 |
| ESPERANZA | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | SUPPORT | 2023 |
| CENTER FOR ENRICHED LIVING | RIVERWOODS, IL | $20,000 | SUMMER CAMP | 2022 |
| CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE | COUNTRYSIDE, IL | $20,000 | INTENSIVE MOTOR TRAINING PROGRAM | 2022 |
| HAVE DREAMS | PARK RIDGE, IL | $17,500 | SUPPORT | 2023 |
| Parents Alliance Employment Project | Lisle, IL | $16,660 | Support | 2025 |
| HELPING HAND REHABILITATION | COUNTRYSIDE, IL | $16,120 | EQUIPMENT, FREE HEARING SCREENINGS AND THERAPY MATERIALS | 2022 |
| CHILDREN'S RESEARCH TRIANGLE | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | SUPPORT | 2023 |
| HELPING HAND | COUNTRYSIDE, IL | $13,801 | SUPPORT | 2023 |
| ESPERANZA | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | ESTABLISH SENSORY INTEGRATION THERAPY ROOM | 2022 |
| OUR PLACE OF NEW TRIER TOWNSHIP | WINNETKA, IL | $10,000 | AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM | 2022 |
| CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT FUTURES | EVANSTON, IL | $10,000 | SUPPORT | 2023 |
| IMAGINATION THEATER | CHICAGO, IL | $8,600 | NEW SCHOOL IN NEED PROGRAM | 2022 |
| Esperanza Community Services | Chicago, IL | $6,415 | Support | 2025 |