Nonprofit · EIN 36-4519273
FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES
Tax-exempt · CHICAGO, IL 60607
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $3,822,926 | $4,330,197 | -$507,271 | $2,497,429 | $854,248 | $1,643,181 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $3,148,586 | $3,498,610 | -$350,024 | $2,936,252 | $849,255 | $2,086,997 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $4,057,833 | $3,331,854 | $725,979 | $3,032,955 | $1,009,607 | $2,023,348 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,264,030
- of which government grants
- $992,399
- Program service revenue
- $1,494,312
- Investment income
- $30,269
- Net income from fundraising events
- $23,023
- Other revenue
- $34,315
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,862,855
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,529,433
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $19,205
- Occupancy
- $171,982
- Travel
- $97,344
- Depreciation
- $17,998
- Program services (functional)
- $3,400,004
- Management and general (functional)
- $472,824
- Fundraising (functional)
- $457,369
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $2,936,252
- Total assets, end of year
- $2,497,429
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $854,248
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,643,181
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $66,616
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $775,219
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $867,962
- Gross receipts
- $3,829,721
- Employees
- 207
- Volunteers
- 2,500
- Year formed
- 1998
- 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 December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENJAMIN M COX | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $209,251 | $22,746 |
| RADHIKA MIRAGLIA | PROGRAM DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $133,827 | $23,078 |
| JILLIAN DICARLO | FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Highest-paid employee | 40 | $122,837 | $23,025 |
| THOMAS GREENHAW JR | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| CORY CHAPLIN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET A FRISBIE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CORRYN ANTONIZIO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHLEEN BRUCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WALTER BURLACK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR CHARLES D DILLON MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONYISHA HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BARBARA C HILL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR GAYLON ALCARAZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR AKILAH R MARTIN PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PILAR AUDAIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
6 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR RONALD M MILNARIK DDS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KELLY O'BRIEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DERK OSENBERG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHELLE THOM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RYAN WILSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CARMEN SCOTT-BORIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENJAMIN M COX | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $200,074 | $20,135 |
| RADHIKA MIRAGLIA | PROGRAM DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,362 | $16,938 |
| JILLIAN DICARLO | FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $118,412 | $20,483 |
| ED WOODBURY | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| CORY CHAPLIN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET A FRISBIE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CORRYN ANTONIZIO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHLEEN BRUCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WALTER BURLACK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR CHARLES D DILLON MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS GREENHAW JR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONYISHA HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BARBARA C HILL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON KAPLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR AKILAH R MARTIN PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUSTIN MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR RONALD M MILNARIK DDS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY O'BRIEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DERK OSENBERG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE THOM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN WILSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 20 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENJAMIN COX | DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $199,778 | $5,715 |
| RADHIKA MIRAGLIA | DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $111,642 | $3,619 |
| ED WOODBURY | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| JUSTIN MARTIN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET A FRISBIE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CORRYN ANTONIZIO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHLEEN BRUCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WALTER BURLACK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSE H COLON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR CHARLES D DILLON MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS GREENHAW JR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BARBARA C HILL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR RONALD M MILNARIK DDS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DERK OSENBERG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY O'BRIEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN WILSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONYISHA HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CORY CHAPLIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON KAPLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR AKILAH MARTIN PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 411 S WELLS ST STE 800, CHICAGO, IL 60607-3911
- In care of
- % BENJAMIN COX
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- BENJAMIN COX, 411 S WELLS ST STE 800, CHICAGO, IL 60607
- Signed the 990
- BENJAMIN COX, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (312) 356-9990
- Website
- WWWW.FOTFP.ORG
- Return prepared by
- HEGRE MCMAHON & SCHIMMEL LLC
Mission
THE ORGANIZATION UNITES PEOPLE TO PROTECT, PROMOTE, AND CARE FOR THE PUBLIC OUTDOOR SPACES OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. THEIR MULTIFACETED APPROACH ENSURES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO NATURE, RESTORES THREATENED NATIVE HABITATS, AND ADVOCATES FOR POLICIES THAT PRESERVE REGIONAL GREEN SPACE.
Program accomplishments
- CONSERVATION CORPS: FRIENDS DIRECTLY WORKS TO INCREASE EQUITABLE ACCESSAND ENGAGEMENT WITHIN THE FOREST PRESERVES AND BROADEN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN HABITAT RESTORATION THROUGH ITS AWARD-WINNINGCONSERVATION CORPS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. THE CONSERVATIONCORPS PROGRAM BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS TO ACCESSING TECHNICAL TRAINING ANDEMPLOYMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR AND SINCE 2007 HAS EMPLOYED,TRAINED, AND MENTORED MORE THAN 2,350 ADULTS AND YOUTH. SINCE 2020ALONE, YOUTH AND ADULT CREWS HAVE HELPED RESTORE 1,790 ACRES.Expenses $1,793,857 · revenue $699,255
- ENGAGEMENT: FRIENDS ENGAGES PEOPLE DIRECTLY IN NATURE PROGRAMMINGTHROUGH ITS ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDES HOSTING FREE, PUBLICEVENTS FOR RESIDENTS LOCAL TO A FOREST PRESERVE, SUCH AS MORNING YOGAOR BIRD WALKS. THESE EVENTS ARE INFORMED BY THE RESULTS OF OUTREACHFRIENDS CONDUCTS IN SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS, AND ARE OFTEN DEVELOPEDIN COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS, WHO ARE PAID A STIPEND TOSUPPORT EVENT PLANNING AND NETWORK BUILDING. IN THE PAST TWO YEARSALONE, FRIENDS HAS HOSTED MORE THAN 200 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT EVENTS ANDMORE THAN 2,500 PARTICIPANTS IN POSITIVE EXPERIENCES IN THE PRESERVES.THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORK AND OTHER PROGRAMMING, THEFRIENDS PROGRAM TEAM MADE UP OF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HAS DEVELOPEDEXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, EDUCATION, CONSERVATION, ECOLOGY,Expenses $858,972 · revenue $2,500
- SUMMER PROGRAMS: EVERY SUMMER, FRIENDS FACILITATES TWO SUMMERINTERNSHIP PROGRAMS: FOREST PRESERVE EXPERIENCE (FPE) AND BEAUBIENWOODS YOUTH AMBASSADORS (BYOA). BEGINNING IN 2016, THE FPE YOUTHCONSERVATION CORPS PROGRAM HAS ENGAGED APPROXIMATELY 70-150 TEENS PERYEAR, OFFERING TEENS PAID SUMMER POSITIONS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THEPRESERVES THROUGH CONSERVATION PROJECTS. THE BYOA PROGRAM, WHICH ISSPECIFIC TO BEAUBIEN WOODS, EMPLOYED 9 HIGH SCHOOL-AGE STUDENTS TOENGAGE IN SEVERAL ACTIVITIES WHILE GAINING EXPOSURE TO THE FORESTPRESERVES AND JOBS IN CONSERVATION.Expenses $747,175 · revenue $792,558
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 December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 36-4519273
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2004
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C30)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $2,497,429
- Income (IRS master file)
- $3,829,721
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $3,822,926 | $4,330,197 | $2,497,429 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $3,148,586 | $3,498,610 | $2,936,252 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $4,057,833 | $3,331,854 | $3,032,955 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $3,066,681 | $3,416,383 | $2,326,330 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | 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 36-4519273).
Questions about FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES
- What is the EIN of FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES is 36-4519273.
- Is FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2004.
- Are donations to FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES 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 FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names BENJAMIN COX.
- Who are the officers and directors of FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 21 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $209,251 (BENJAMIN M COX, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVES have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $3,822,926, expenses of $4,330,197 and total assets of $2,497,429 at year end.
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