Charlotte Hammond, President and CEO at Challenge Unlimited, Inc. | cuinc.org
Charlotte Hammond, President and CEO at Challenge Unlimited, Inc. | cuinc.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 1959, Challenge Unlimited states that its mission is: “At Challenge Unlimited, Inc. it is our mission to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities which will assist them to live, work, and participate in the community. As a leader in providing employment services to people with disabilities our goal is to empower individuals of all abilities to reach their full potential.”
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 $30,166,800 in total revenue. Of that, $616,749 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 2% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $633,333 in contributions overall. It also reported $3,944 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $16,584 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Challenge Unlimited had $19,551,500 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $20,170,600, indicating a 3.2% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Challenge Unlimited increased in the last year. The group received $496,898 in government grants in 2023, compared to $616,749 in 2024—an increase of 24.1% 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.
Challenge Unlimited 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 | Andrew Esterer | Executive Vp Of Finance |
| 2024-2024 | Bret Berigan | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Bruce A Malone | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Cathy Cooke | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Charlotte Hammond | President And Ceo |
| 2024-2024 | Debra Mcmahon | Executive Vp Of Program Se |
| 2024-2024 | Diane Tebbe | Vp Of Residential Options |
| 2024-2024 | Erica Orrison | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Floyd C Raglin Sr | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Gerri Lynn Arrindell | Director |
| 2024-2024 | James M Porter Jr | Executive Vp Of Operations |
| 2024-2024 | Jim Kasten | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jim Concannon | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Joni Lombardo | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Reid Mcdowell | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Rosemary A Gibson | Vice Chair |
| 2024-2024 | Thomas M Morrissey | Chairperson |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Barbara Jean Fales | Skills Trainer | - |
| 2024 | Catherine M Gray | Program Supervisor | - |
| 2024 | Darlene A Ladd | Director Of Recruitment And Intake | - |
| 2024 | Donna A Simpson | Kitchen Supervisor | - |
| 2024 | James Edward Butler | Team Lead | - |
| 2024 | Lindsey Danielle Burton | Talent Management Specialist | - |
| 2024 | Lisa C Norfleet | Certified Trainer | - |
| 2024 | Mareva Ann Durbin | Placement Assessment Supervisor | - |
| 2024 | Mary G Kemnetz | Dishwasher | - |
| 2024 | Mary Ann Hetzel | Payroll Coordinator | - |
| 2024 | Matthew S Reiman | Assistant Project Manager | - |
| 2024 | Maurice Eugene Wilson | Janitor | - |
| 2024 | Meghan L Towell | Registered Nurse | - |
| 2024 | Neil Braden Carpenter | Janitor | - |
| 2024 | Nyeila N Grissom | Bus Driver | - |
| 2024 | Richard Connell Gaston Jr | Direct Support Professional | - |
| 2024 | Tatum Kellum | Dsp | - |
| 2024 | Timothy L Willis | Project Manager Assistant | - |
| 2024 | Valentyna Fedorivna Grybelnikova | Food Service Supervisor | - |
| 2019 | Alecha D Blackmon | Staffing Manager | - |
| 2018 | April L Blount | Transportation Manager | - |
| 2018 | Jacqueline L Burrell | - | |
| 2018 | Jennifer A Trudeau | Public Relations Advocate, Business Development Manager | - |
| 2018 | Sharon Zipporah Champion | Administrative Assistant | - |
| 2017 | Christopher E Scholpp | Landscaper | - |
| 2017 | Crystal Smith | Dsp | - |
| 2017 | Melissa J Lucker | Employment Specialist | - |
| 2017 | Travis Thompson | Production Line Leader | - |
| 2016 | Brianna M Johnson | - | |
| 2016 | Dorothy Carta | - | |
| 2016 | Jameeka Quiana Bouie | Accounts Payable Intern | - |
| 2016 | Kaleigh Renee Mcalpine | Intern And Job Coach | - |
| 2016 | Martinez L Staten | Custodial Supervisor | - |
| 2015 | Christine M Bodus | Vice President, Finance | - |
| 2015 | Cynthia M Grau | - | |
| 2015 | Dorothy Ann Carta | - | |
| 2015 | Jessica L Reiling | Production Line Lead | - |
| 2015 | Roderick Tompkins | - | |
| 2014 | Ashley M Longstreet | Direct Support Professional | - |
| 2014 | Cody Dicorato | - | |
| 2014 | Denise L Carter | Vice President Business Development And Strategic Planning | - |
| 2014 | Edward Schmidt | - | |
| 2014 | James Joseph Kennedy | General Laborer | - |
| 2014 | Lindan Noel | Communication Specialist | - |
| 2013 | John D Gilliland | Chief Operations Officer W And Expertise In Growth, Strategic Planning, Risk Mgmt., Executive Leadership | - |
| 2013 | Linda S Gallup | - | |
| 2013 | Monique Regina Arrington | Case Manager And Qidp | - |
| 2012 | Aaron Spears | - | |
| 2012 | John Bircher | - | |
| 2012 | Kevin Stephen Little | Kitchen Supervisor | - |
| 2012 | Melvin L Timmons | - | |
| 2012 | Miya C Lowery | - | |
| 2012 | Vanessa Jones | Intern | - |
| 2012 | Wade Leon Walcher | Chef | - |
| 2011 | Brent Richard Haldeman | Janitor | - |
| 2011 | Devon Joann Henderson | - | |
| 2011 | Fred Bayer | - | |
| 2011 | Laurie A Hook | - | |
| 2011 | Zachary David Bostick | Warehouse Worker | - |
| 2010 | Eddie B Wilson | - | |
| 2010 | Jason Richard Smith | Food Service Worker | - |
| 2010 | Kenneth Robinson | - | |
| 2010 | Mary Edelen | - | |
| 2010 | Nathan V Baumann | - | |
| 2010 | Sandra Marie Hambrick | - | |
| 2010 | Terrance Saddler | - | |
| 2010 | Timothy J Sisson | - | |
| 2010 | Tressa Glass | - | |
| 2010 | Tricia L Ruffin | - | |
| 2009 | Jessica A Ponder | - | |
| 2009 | Todd A Carter | - | |
| 2009 | Tyra Wilson | - | |
| 2009 | Vanessa D Alford | - | |
| 2008 | Alice Marie Kreftmeyer | - | |
| 2008 | Andria Heinemeier | - | |
| 2008 | Brian Benfield | - | |
| 2008 | Edna L Copeland | - | |
| 2007 | Debra A Anderson | - | |
| 2007 | Kathy Ousley | - | |
| 2007 | Michael Pugh | Cook | - |
| 2007 | Nicola M Perry | - | |
| 2007 | Ronald Starks | - | |
| 2006 | Carolyn Hall | - | |
| 2006 | Catherine Ann Horstman | Manager Of Group Home | - |
| 2006 | Craig S Scroggins | - | |
| 2006 | David L Peek | - | |
| 2006 | Felicia White | - | |
| 2006 | Glenn D Roberson | - | |
| 2006 | Guillerma Palmer | - | |
| 2006 | Joanne Harrison | - | |
| 2006 | Karen S Karpowicz | - | |
| 2005 | Judy K Collins | - | |
| 2005 | Karnessa Lawrence | - | |
| 2005 | Kenneth C Knoth | - | |
| 2005 | Larry D Burgess | - | |
| 2005 | Sandra Flake | - | |
| 2005 | Vanessa P Cross | - | |
| 2004 | Clarence Hibbard | - | |
| 2004 | James R Peek | - | |
| 2004 | Jeffrey C Flucas | - | |
| 2004 | Larry J Arth | - | |
| 2004 | Rebecca A Whitehorn | - | |
| 2004 | Sandra K Luster | - | |
| 2004 | Wanda L Thole | - | |
| 2003 | Alan Biggs | - | |
| 2003 | Amy Marie Mccartney | Physical Therapist | - |
| 2003 | Anthony Eugene Terrell | - | |
| 2003 | Christopher Spraggs | - | |
| 2003 | Corazon S Gracia | - | |
| 2003 | George Donlow | - | |
| 2003 | Kevin B Ivory | - | |
| 2003 | Patricia Mcdaid | - | |
| 2003 | Shelly R Robinson | - | |
| 2002 | Bobby Brandon Castleberry | Network Administrator | - |
| 2002 | Bruce L Williams | - | |
| 2002 | Penny J Harvey | - | |
| 2001 | Albert Allen | - | |
| 2001 | David C Long | - | |
| 2001 | Kent Pliemling | - | |
| 2000 | Betty A Tuetken | - | |
| 2000 | Carolina F Wiesen | - | |
| 2000 | Charles C Russell | - | |
| 2000 | Debra Webb | - | |
| 2000 | Debra Moss | - | |
| 2000 | Donna M Severs | - | |
| 2000 | Everett D Banks | - | |
| 2000 | Lloyd E Durham | - | |
| 2000 | Malinda Morris | - | |
| 1999 | Canzader Good | - | |
| 1999 | Darla K Lenglet | - | |
| 1999 | Delbert L Woods | - | |
| 1999 | Eric W Brown | - | |
| 1999 | Frances L Brown | - | |
| 1999 | Robert J Jeffers | - | |
| 1998 | Allen Maurice Boyd | - | |
| 1998 | Barbara J Peters | - | |
| 1998 | Jack Gallia | - | |
| 1998 | John Eschenfelder | - | |
| 1998 | Mary L Barber | - | |
| 1998 | Nancy K Sayles | - | |
| 1998 | Roy P Ferguson | - | |
| 1997 | Jack L Paschedag | - | |
| 1997 | James E Ruble | - | |
| 1997 | Julia L Hund | - | |
| 1997 | Pauline Wells | - | |
| 1997 | Riley Robets | - | |
| 1997 | Sheila Bellovich | - | |
| 1996 | Alma Mckelvey | - | |
| 1996 | Jackie L Heafner | - | |
| 1996 | Judy K Corzine | - | |
| 1996 | Lon W Smith | - | |
| 1996 | Norman C Diser | - | |
| 1996 | Otis H Gaddy | - | |
| 1996 | Robert Dees | - | |
| 1996 | William Diser | - | |
| 1995 | Gidget St Peters | - | |
| 1995 | Tony Robert Loquasto | - |
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