Kathy Straniero, Executive Director at Together We Cope | LinkedIn
Kathy Straniero, Executive Director at Together We Cope | LinkedIn
The listed appropriations included grants of $250,000 and $50,000 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 1982 by Loraine Cook, Together We Cope states that its mission is: “To help neighbors stay in their homes when a temporary financial crisis hits.”
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 $2,943,360 in total revenue. Of that, $1,634,150 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 55.5% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $2,316,530 in contributions overall. It also reported $941,289 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $682,379 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Together We Cope had $1,352,890 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $1,764,690, indicating a significant 30.4% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Together We Cope surged in the last year. The group received $849,315 in government grants in 2023, compared to $1,634,150 in 2024—an increase of 92.4% 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.
Together We Cope 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 | $300,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Dominic J Kowalczyk | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Frank Trombley | President |
| 2024-2024 | Kathryn Straniero | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Kevin R Patrick | Vice Preside |
| 2024-2024 | Michael W Glotz | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Patrick Mckernan | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Thomas Fisher | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Vernadean Sweat | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Don Mertic | Director | - |
| - | Ed Workman | Director | - |
| - | Kathryn A Straniero | Executive Director | - |
| - | Kevin Patrick | Secretary | - |
| - | Len Schaafsma | Treasurer | - |
| - | Linda Lopez | Vice President | - |
| - | Pat Mckernan | Director | - |
| - | Rob Gale | Director | - |
| - | Robert Smith | Principal | - |
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