Nicole Murray, Chief Executive Officer at Will County Habitat For Humanity | https://habitatwill.org/
Nicole Murray, Chief Executive Officer at Will County Habitat For Humanity | https://habitatwill.org/
The listed appropriations included grants of $250,000 and $250,000 if two, each designated for programs or services funded by the State of Illinois.
These appropriations represent 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 1988 by Millard Fuller and Linda Fuller, Will County Habitat For Humanity states that its mission is: “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Will County Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, 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 $2,278,120 in total revenue. Of that, $181,014 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 7.9% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $974,233 in contributions overall. It also reported $67,859 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $793,219 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Will County Habitat For Humanity had $1,995,210 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $3,592,430, indicating an significant 80.1% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding remained fairly steady year-over-year, changing from $183,054 in 2023 to $181,014 in 2024 (a difference of 1.1%).
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Will County Habitat For Humanity 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.
| Fiscal Year | Total Grants/Contracts | Total Taxpayer $$ |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | $500,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Ashley E Bechtold | Past President |
| 2024-2024 | Dave Neary | Associate Director |
| 2024-2024 | Eugenie Checko | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Greg Anthony Sitar | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jessica Deloach | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Judy Mitchell | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Nicole D Murray | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Paul R Slade | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Samantha Bluemer | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Scott E Czerkies | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Thomas E Lancaster | President |
| 2024-2024 | Timothy M Brophy | Secretary |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Natalie D Smith | Project Coordinator | - |
| 2024 | Nicole D Murray | Executive Director | - |
| 2016 | Kevin Walsh | Board Of Directors Member | - |
| 2013 | Justin Thomas Garlitz | Assistant To The Executive Director | - |
Alerts Sign-up