Civic Intelligence

Friends of American Writers

EIN 23-7248247 • 501(c)3 • Chicago, IL

Profile

Our mission shall be to encourage new, talented writers associated with the midwest and to promote the arts, especially literature, among our members.

240 E Illinois St 1408Chicago, IL 60611

fawchicago.org

Siviq Scores

Precomputed percentiles relative to similar nonprofits. These scores are descriptive rather than judgmental.

Liabilities / Assets

Score unavailable

No value available

Liabilities-to-assets requires both liabilities and assets on the latest valid filing.

Source year 2025

Liabilities / Revenue

Score unavailable

No value available

Liabilities-to-revenue requires both liabilities and revenue on the latest valid filing.

Source year 2025

Net Margin

55th percentile

4.4%

Higher net margin than 55% of similar nonprofits.

501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits • Source year 2025

Top Officer Pay

81st percentile

$0

Higher top officer pay than 81% of similar nonprofits.

Top officer pay equals 0.0% of source-year revenue.

501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits • Source year 2025

Asset Growth

62nd percentile

5.0%

Faster asset growth than 62% of similar nonprofits.

501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits • Annualized from 2024 to 2025

Revenue Growth

63rd percentile

9.3%

Faster revenue growth than 63% of similar nonprofits.

501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits • Annualized from 2024 to 2025

Balance Sheet
Liabilities / AssetsScore unavailable

Assets

Up

$78,964

Up $3,784 (+5.0%) from 2024

Liabilities

-

No earlier filing loaded for comparison.

Net Assets

Up

$78,964

Up $3,784 (+5.0%) from 2024

Operations
Liabilities / RevenueScore unavailableNet Margin55th percentile

Revenue

Up

$48,497

Up $4,142 (+9.3%) from 2024

Expenses

Up

$46,363

Up $6,717 (+17%) from 2024

Net Income

Down

$2,134

Down $2,575 (-55%) from 2024

Trend Graphs

Balance Sheet Trend

Asset Growth62nd percentile

Grouped bars show assets, liabilities, and net assets across loaded filings.

$80K$60K$40K$20K$0Assets 2013: $63,195Net Assets 2013: $63,1952013Assets 2014: $65,301Net Assets 2014: $65,3012014Assets 2015: $64,533Net Assets 2015: $64,5332015Assets 2016: $64,868Net Assets 2016: $64,8682016Assets 2017: $66,009Net Assets 2017: $66,0092017Assets 2018: $70,259Net Assets 2018: $70,2592018Assets 2019: $67,203Net Assets 2019: $67,2032019Assets 2020: $67,235Net Assets 2020: $67,2352020Assets 2021: $68,434Net Assets 2021: $68,4342021Assets 2022: $74,127Net Assets 2022: $74,1272022Assets 2023: $68,218Net Assets 2023: $68,2182023Assets 2024: $75,180Net Assets 2024: $75,1802024Assets 2025: $78,964Net Assets 2025: $78,9642025

Highlighted filing

2025

Assets$78,964
Liabilities-
Net Assets$78,964
Open 2025 Filing

Operations Trend

Revenue Growth63rd percentile

Revenue, expenses, and net income by year, with the latest filing highlighted.

$60K$40K$20K$0-$20KRevenue 2013: $30,270Expenses 2013: $30,104Net Income 2013: $1662013Revenue 2014: $33,813Expenses 2014: $31,707Net Income 2014: $2,1062014Revenue 2015: $30,257Expenses 2015: $31,025Net Income 2015: -$7682015Revenue 2016: $33,506Expenses 2016: $33,171Net Income 2016: $3352016Revenue 2017: $34,638Expenses 2017: $33,497Net Income 2017: $1,1412017Revenue 2018: $36,998Expenses 2018: $32,748Net Income 2018: $4,2502018Revenue 2019: $36,852Expenses 2019: $39,908Net Income 2019: -$3,0562019Revenue 2020: $35,986Expenses 2020: $34,261Net Income 2020: $1,7252020Revenue 2021: $19,307Expenses 2021: $21,175Net Income 2021: -$1,8682021Revenue 2022: $47,164Expenses 2022: $39,995Net Income 2022: $7,1692022Revenue 2023: $42,857Expenses 2023: $48,228Net Income 2023: -$5,3712023Revenue 2024: $44,355Expenses 2024: $39,646Net Income 2024: $4,7092024Revenue 2025: $48,497Expenses 2025: $46,363Net Income 2025: $2,1342025

Highlighted filing

2025

Revenue$48,497
Expenses$46,363
Net Income$2,134
Open 2025 Filing

Filings

Most recent year

2025 • Form 990EZDetailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.

Open filing
Assets
$78,964
Liabilities
-
Net assets
$78,964
Revenue
$48,497
Expenses
$46,363
Net income
$2,134
Balance SheetOperations
YearAssetsLiabilitiesNet AssetsRevenueExpensesNet Income
2025Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$79.0$79.0$48.5$46.4$2.13
2024Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$75.2$75.2$44.4$39.6$4.71
2023Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$68.2$68.2$42.9$48.2$5.37
2022Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$74.1$74.1$47.2$40.0$7.17
2021Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$68.4$68.4$19.3$21.2$1.87
2020Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$67.2$67.2$36.0$34.3$1.73
2019Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$67.2$67.2$36.9$39.9$3.06
2018Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$70.3$70.3$37.0$32.7$4.25
2017Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$66.0$66.0$34.6$33.5$1.14
2016Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$64.9$64.9$33.5$33.2$0.34
2015Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$64.5$64.5$30.3$31.0$0.77
2014Detailed filing. Detailed filing data is available for this year.$65.3$65.3$33.8$31.7$2.11
2013Facts available. Structured filing facts are available, but richer extracted sections are limited.$63.2$63.2$30.3$30.1$0.17
Latest Filing Detail
Jump To
Filing Snapshot
Filing Period
May 1, 2024 to Apr 30, 2025
Signed
Sep 4, 2025
Return Version
2024v5.0
Gross Receipts
$48,497
Mission and Program Overview

Mission

Our mission shall be to encourage new, talented writers associated with the midwest and to promote the arts, especially literature, among our members.

Program Services

DescriptionGrantsExpenses
SCHOLARSHIPS & MONTHLY MEETINGS$3,000$43,982
Compensation and Service Providers
Top Officer Pay81st percentile

Employees

NameTitleFull / Part TimeBaseOtherTotal
PATRICIA SMARTSecretary-$0--
KAREN BURNETTPresident-$0--
CHRISTINE SPATARACo Vice Pres-$0--
DIANA ADAMSTreasurer-$0--
KIM SWARTZCo Vice Pres-$0--
Filing and Contact Details

Filer

Filer Name
Friends of American Writers
EIN
23-7248247
Phone
3124671816
Address
240 E ILLINOIS ST 1408, CHICAGO, IL 60611

Signing Officer

Name
Diana Adams
Title
Treasurer
Phone
3124671816
Signed
2025-09-04
Discuss with paid preparer
Yes

Preparer

Firm
Hartman & Roehr Cpas Ltd
Address
656 BUSSE HWY, PARK RIDGE, IL 60068-2502
Preparer
Steven Meersman
Phone
8478231187
Supplemental Narrative

Additional Explanations

Form 990-ez, Part I, Line 16

“Expenses advertising 309 postage 122 office supplies 145 meetings and luncheons 25,597 flowers 133 state filing fee 25 brokerage annual fee 80 program fees 12,150 gifts 500 website hosting 539 young peoples literature 135 total 39,735”

Form 990-ez, Part I, Line 20

“Unrealized gain on investments 1,649”

Form 990-ez, Part II, Line 24

“Merrill lynch foundation fund invest 47,188 50,297 total 47,188 50,297”

Form 990-ez, Part III

“Our mission shall be to encourage new, talented writers associated with the midwest and to promote the arts, especially literature, among our members.”

Raw XML Appendix168 raw XML fields

This appendix keeps the raw XML leaves available for debugging and edge-case review. The human report above is the primary experience.

Path#Value
IRS990EZ/ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd0false
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/PersonNm0DIANA ADAMS
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/PhoneNum03124671816
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/AddressLine1Txt0240 E ILLINOIS 1480
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/CityNm0CHICAGO
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCd0IL
IRS990EZ/BooksInCareOfDetail/USAddress/ZIPCd060611
IRS990EZ/CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp/BOYAmt027993
IRS990EZ/CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp/EOYAmt028667
IRS990EZ/ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd0false
IRS990EZ/ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt017296
IRS990EZ/DonorAdvisedFndsInd0false
IRS990EZ/EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd0false
IRS990EZ/ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt02134
IRS990EZ/FeesAndOtherPymtToIndCntrctAmt01265
IRS990EZ/FiledScheduleAInd0true
IRS990EZ/ForeignFinancialAccountInd0false
IRS990EZ/ForeignOfficeInd0false
IRS990EZ/Form1120PolFiledInd0false
IRS990EZ/Form990TotalAssetsGrp/BOYAmt075181
IRS990EZ/Form990TotalAssetsGrp/EOYAmt078964
IRS990EZ/GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaidAmt03000
IRS990EZ/GrossReceiptsAmt048497
IRS990EZ/InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd0X
IRS990EZ/InfoInScheduleOPartIIInd0X
IRS990EZ/InfoInScheduleOPartIInd0X
IRS990EZ/InvestmentIncomeAmt01631
IRS990EZ/LobbyingActivitiesInd0false
IRS990EZ/MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd0false
IRS990EZ/MembershipDuesAmt04375
IRS990EZ/MethodOfAccountingCashInd0X
IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt075181
IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt078964
IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp/BOYAmt075181
IRS990EZ/NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp/EOYAmt078964
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt02.00
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt12.00
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt22.00
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt32.00
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt42.00
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt00
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt10
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt20
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt30
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/CompensationAmt40
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm0PATRICIA SMART
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm1KAREN BURNETT
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm2CHRISTINE SPATARA
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm3DIANA ADAMS
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/PersonNm4KIM SWARTZ
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt0SECRETARY
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt1PRESIDENT
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt2CO VICE PRES
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt3TREASURER
IRS990EZ/OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp/TitleTxt4CO VICE PRES
IRS990EZ/OperateHospitalInd0false
IRS990EZ/Organization501c3Ind0X
IRS990EZ/OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd0false
IRS990EZ/OrganizationHadUBIInd0false
IRS990EZ/OtherAssetsTotalDetail/BOYAmt047188
IRS990EZ/OtherAssetsTotalDetail/EOYAmt050297
IRS990EZ/OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt01649
IRS990EZ/OtherExpensesTotalAmt039735
IRS990EZ/PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt0NONE
IRS990EZ/PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt0NONE
IRS990EZ/PoliticalCampaignActyInd0false
IRS990EZ/PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt0OUR MISSION SHALL BE TO ENCOURAGE NEW, TALENTED WRITERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MIDWEST AND TO PROMOTE THE ARTS, ESPECIALLY LITERATURE, AMONG OUR MEMBERS.
IRS990EZ/PrintingPublicationsPostageAmt02363
IRS990EZ/ProgramServiceRevenueAmt025195
IRS990EZ/ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp/DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt0SCHOLARSHIPS & MONTHLY MEETINGS
IRS990EZ/ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp/GrantsAndAllocationsAmt03000
IRS990EZ/ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp/ProgramServiceExpensesAmt043982
IRS990EZ/ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd0false
IRS990EZ/RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd0false
IRS990EZ/ScheduleBNotRequiredInd0X
IRS990EZ/SchoolOperatingInd0false
IRS990EZ/StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd0IL
IRS990EZ/SubjectToProxyTaxInd0false
IRS990EZ/TanningServicesProvidedInd0false
IRS990EZ/TotalExpensesAmt046363
IRS990EZ/TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt043982
IRS990EZ/TotalRevenueAmt048497
IRS990EZ/TransactionWithControlEntInd0false
IRS990EZ/TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd0false
IRS990EZ/TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd0X
IRS990EZ/WebsiteAddressTxt0FAWCHICAGO.ORG
IRS990ScheduleA/Form990ScheduleAPartVIGrp/ExplanationTxt0BOOK SALES 683
IRS990ScheduleA/Form990ScheduleAPartVIGrp/FormAndLineReferenceDesc0PART III, LINE 12
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContrisRcvd509Grp/CurrentTaxYearAmt017296
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContrisRcvd509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt017835
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContrisRcvd509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt018093
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContrisRcvd509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt022780
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContrisRcvd509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt013515
IRS990ScheduleA/GiftsGrantsContrisRcvd509Grp/TotalAmt089519
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossInvestmentIncome509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt01533
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossInvestmentIncome509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt01363
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossInvestmentIncome509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt01004
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossInvestmentIncome509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt01241
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossInvestmentIncome509Grp/TotalAmt05141
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossReceiptsAdmissionsGrp/CurrentTaxYearAmt031201
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossReceiptsAdmissionsGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt026520
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossReceiptsAdmissionsGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt024764
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossReceiptsAdmissionsGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt024384
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossReceiptsAdmissionsGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt05792
IRS990ScheduleA/GrossReceiptsAdmissionsGrp/TotalAmt0112661
IRS990ScheduleA/InvestmentIncomeAndUBTIGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt01533
IRS990ScheduleA/InvestmentIncomeAndUBTIGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt01363
IRS990ScheduleA/InvestmentIncomeAndUBTIGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt01004
IRS990ScheduleA/InvestmentIncomeAndUBTIGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt01241
IRS990ScheduleA/InvestmentIncomeAndUBTIGrp/TotalAmt05141
IRS990ScheduleA/InvestmentIncomeCYPct00.02000
IRS990ScheduleA/InvestmentIncomePYPct00.03000
IRS990ScheduleA/OtherIncome509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt0683
IRS990ScheduleA/OtherIncome509Grp/TotalAmt0683
IRS990ScheduleA/PubliclySupportedOrg509a2Ind0X
IRS990ScheduleA/PublicSupportCY509Pct00.97200
IRS990ScheduleA/PublicSupportPY509Pct00.96340
IRS990ScheduleA/PublicSupportTotal509Amt0202180
IRS990ScheduleA/ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY509Ind0X
IRS990ScheduleA/Total509Grp/CurrentTaxYearAmt048497
IRS990ScheduleA/Total509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt044355
IRS990ScheduleA/Total509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt042857
IRS990ScheduleA/Total509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt047164
IRS990ScheduleA/Total509Grp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt019307
IRS990ScheduleA/Total509Grp/TotalAmt0202180
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalSupportCalendarYearGrp/CurrentTaxYearAmt048497
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalSupportCalendarYearGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt045888
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalSupportCalendarYearGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt044903
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalSupportCalendarYearGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt048168
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalSupportCalendarYearGrp/CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt020548
IRS990ScheduleA/TotalSupportCalendarYearGrp/TotalAmt0208004
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt0EXPENSES ADVERTISING 309 POSTAGE 122 OFFICE SUPPLIES 145 MEETINGS AND LUNCHEONS 25,597 FLOWERS 133 STATE FILING FEE 25 BROKERAGE ANNUAL FEE 80 PROGRAM FEES 12,150 GIFTS 500 WEBSITE HOSTING 539 YOUNG PEOPLES LITERATURE 135 TOTAL 39,735
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt1UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS 1,649
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt2MERRILL LYNCH FOUNDATION FUND INVEST 47,188 50,297 TOTAL 47,188 50,297
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/ExplanationTxt3OUR MISSION SHALL BE TO ENCOURAGE NEW, TALENTED WRITERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MIDWEST AND TO PROMOTE THE ARTS, ESPECIALLY LITERATURE, AMONG OUR MEMBERS.
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc0FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 16
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc1FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 20
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc2FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 24
IRS990ScheduleO/SupplementalInformationDetail/FormAndLineReferenceDesc3FORM 990-EZ, PART III
ReturnHeader/BuildTS02025-03-06 01:10:19Z
ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd0true
ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/PersonNm0DIANA ADAMS
ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/PersonTitleTxt0TREASURER
ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/PhoneNum03124671816
ReturnHeader/BusinessOfficerGrp/SignatureDt02025-09-04
ReturnHeader/Filer/BusinessName/BusinessNameLine1Txt0FRIENDS OF AMERICAN WRITERS
ReturnHeader/Filer/BusinessNameControlTxt0FRIE
ReturnHeader/Filer/EIN0237248247
ReturnHeader/Filer/PhoneNum03124671816
ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/AddressLine1Txt0240 E ILLINOIS ST 1408
ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/CityNm0CHICAGO
ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCd0IL
ReturnHeader/Filer/USAddress/ZIPCd060611
ReturnHeader/IRSResponsiblePrtyInfoCurrInd0true
ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerFirmEIN0934161361
ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerFirmName/BusinessNameLine1Txt0HARTMAN & ROEHR CPAS LTD
ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerUSAddress/AddressLine1Txt0656 BUSSE HWY
ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerUSAddress/CityNm0PARK RIDGE
ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerUSAddress/StateAbbreviationCd0IL
ReturnHeader/PreparerFirmGrp/PreparerUSAddress/ZIPCd0600682502
ReturnHeader/PreparerPersonGrp/PhoneNum08478231187
ReturnHeader/PreparerPersonGrp/PreparationDt02025-09-04
ReturnHeader/PreparerPersonGrp/PreparerPersonNm0STEVEN MEERSMAN
ReturnHeader/ReturnTs02025-09-15T16:36:35-04:00
ReturnHeader/ReturnTypeCd0990EZ
ReturnHeader/TaxPeriodBeginDt02024-05-01
ReturnHeader/TaxPeriodEndDt02025-04-30
ReturnHeader/TaxYr02024

Document Assets

No mirrored PDF or thumbnail assets are attached yet.

Peer Organizations

Similar nonprofits based on the same Siviq industry and scale cohort. 501(c)3 • <$500k nonprofits