Southwest Organizing Project

“The organization's membership consists of churches, schools, and not-for-profit organizations located within the southwest side of Chicago.”

“Form 990 is circulated to the Board for review prior to sumitting it to the IRS.”

“On an annual basis, Board Members are required to submit a written declaration that states whether or not an indivudual Board Member has a conflict of interest.”

“The Executive Director's compensation is reviewed by the Board on an annual basis.”

“The Executive Director's compensation is reviewed by the Board on an annual basis.”

“Disclosure of governing documents, policies, and financial statements are made available to the general public upon written request.Also, the state and federal information returns and audit report is posted on the Illinois Attorney General web-site and is open to the general public.”

“The organization did not have a document retention and destruction policy in placeas of June 30, 2020, however, the organization expects to have such a policy inplace as of June 30, 2021.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Education-Related Organizing:SWOP works with local schools to improve the quality of education available to young people, to create opportunities for parents to be involved in schools, and for educators to build relationships with community stakeholders. SWOP runs the Parent Mentor Program, placing parents in classrooms as paraprofessionals who provide individual and small group assistance to students. SWOP runs the Teen REACH after-school program to offer enrichment and leadership development to students. SWOP organizers engage parents, students, teachers, and principals in community organizing activities to build power to improve schools. This works is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Chicago Public Schools (CPS), individual schools, and private foundations. This work benefits the parents, students, and educators at the 22 schools where SWOP works. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: Housing Issues:The Southwest Chicago communities of Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, West Lawn, and West Elsdon were ground zero for the foreclosure crisis of the 2007-08. Thousands of foreclosures were initiated, and hundreds of buildings were left vacant in the community. SWOP is partnering with United Power for Action and Justice and Brinshore Development to carry out the Reclaiming Southwest Chicago Campaign. Through this effort, SWOP and its partners are buying, rehabbing and then renting or selling the buildings as affordable housing. In addition, SWOP connects people to housing counseling, rental and mortgage assistance, and foreclosure prevention services. This work is funded by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the City of Chicago, private foundations, corporate donations, individual giving, and earned income. The work benefits all the families living in the 94-block target area. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: Heathcare-related organizing:SWOP works to ensure that everyone in Southwest Chicago has access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. SWOP, partnering with many of its member institutions, is a leader in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic with vaccination and testing drives. SWOP leads the Healthy Chicago Equity Zone planning process. SWOP leads the Southwest System of Care (SWSOC), a collaborative effort to ensure access to needed services for students and families in local schools. SWOP partnered with Marquette School of Excellence and Esperanza Health Center to open a health center at the school. SWOP community navigators are working with families across the community to give them the information they need to access the healthcare services they need. This work is funded by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Chicago Cook Workforce Alliance, and private foundations. This work benefits all residents of the Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, West Elsdon, West Lawn, and Ashburn communities.”

“Forgiveness of PPP Loan = $242075”