Illinois · Nonprofit
CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION
CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION (Illinois) receives grants from 14 organizations whose IRS filings report $12,101,654 to it, the largest being MIDLAND AREA AGENCY ON AGING ($5,972,435). 11 of them have funded it in more than one year.
- Revenue FY2024
- $23M
- Funders on record
- 14
- Grants received
- $12M
- Net assets
- $6.2M
What Cefs Economic Opportunity Corporation does
Mission
Provide opportunities for people in our communities through education and support to achieve and maintain stability.
As stated on its FY2024 Form 990.
Programs
Low income home energy assistance program (liheap):liheap is designed to help eligible low-income households pay for utility services. Liheap provides a one-time benefit to income-eligible households to help reduce energy costs. Reconnection assistance is also available for qualifying households that have been disconnected or are at risk of disconnection. In addition, the program offers emergency furnace repair or replacement for income-eligible homeowners with inoperable furnaces.eligible ameren customers may choose between the traditional liheap program benefit and participation in the percentage of income payment plan (pipp). Pipp helps low- and fixed-income customers manage home energy costs through fixed monthly payments, arrearage reduction credits, client education, and energy conservation. Pipp can help prevent the cycle of disconnection and reconnection, leading to improved health and safety for participants. Ameren customers with incomes between 200% and 300% of the poverty level, or 80% of their county's area median income (ami), may qualify for warm neighbors/cool friends, a matching grant program funded by ameren's energy assistance foundation. Energy savings…
$5,979,671 spentof which $5,272,932 as grants28% of program spendingHead start 0-5 program:head start is a federally funded program established in 1965. The cefs head start 0-5 program offers center-based services, including half-day and full-day sessions for preschool children, as well as home-based services for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers in its seven-county service area. Eligibility is primarily income-based, although factors such as disabilities and family needs are also considered. Families must earn at or below 100% of the federal poverty level, though some may qualify through categorical eligibility, including snap, tanf, ssi, or homelessness. Up to 10% of the program's enrollment may include higher-income families or families experiencing emergency situations, and at least 10% must be children with disabilities.the head start 0-5 program provides comprehensive early childhood education, health and developmental screenings, parent involvement opportunities, and family socializations. It promotes school readiness by enhancing children's social and cognitive development through educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services. The program's resources are designed to foster stable family relationships, enhance children's…
$5,060,263 spentof which $294,736 as grants24% of program spendingRural transportation:cefs central illinois public transit and effingham county public transportation are federally and state-funded public transportation systems operating in clay, christian, effingham, fayette, shelby, moultrie, and montgomery counties. The illinois department of transportation provides operating assistance for public transportation in non-urbanized areas. Additional financial support comes from fares, service contracts, title iiib funding through area agencies on aging (agelinc and midland aaa), the illinois department of human services, and municipal donations. Shelby county, with Cefs Economic Opportunity Corporation as the administrator and service provider, operates central illinois public transit in clay, christian, fayette, montgomery, moultrie, and shelby counties. Effingham county, with Cefs Economic Opportunity Corporation as the administrator and service provider, operates effingham county public transportation in effingham county. Ridership is open to the public, with no qualification requirements to use the service. The program operates on a demand-response basis. Monthly passes are available for purchase at discounted rates. The reduced fare program…
$2,659,957 spent$341,424 earned by the program12% of program spendingWorkforce innovation and opportunity act program:the workforce innovation and opportunity act (wioa) program provides services designed to enhance employment, retention, earnings, and skill levels within the american workforce. The cefs wioa program serves 13 counties in illinois workforce area #23. The program includes youth, adult, dislocated worker, and trade adjustment act initiatives.program participants can access a preliminary assessment of their skill levels, aptitudes, abilities, and support service needs. They can also obtain comprehensive information on a wide range of employment-related services. Workforce centers provide job search and placement assistance, career counseling, and up-to-date labor market information, including job vacancies, skills required for in-demand jobs, and local, regional, and national employment trends.individuals who need more intensive support may receive comprehensive assessments, employment plan development, group and individual counseling, case management, and short-term pre-vocational services. In some cases, eligible participants may receive training services, including on-the-job training, tuition assistance, work experience, and…
$2,573,539 spentof which $1,093,994 as grants12% of program spendingSenior programs:meals on wheelsthe cefs meals on wheels program provides nutritionally balanced meals on a donation basis to individuals who are 60 years of age and older, as well as to their spouses. There are no income guidelines or restrictions other than the age requirement. In addition to nutrition services, the program offers educational, informational, and social activities. Meals are served by reservation at 17 sites within clay, effingham, fayette, christian, and montgomery counties. The program receives funding from the administration on aging, including title iiic funding through the area agencies on aging (agelinc and midland aaa), local united way agencies, and participant contributions.there are two components to our meals on wheels program: -congregate meals: seniors share a nutritious meal and enjoy activities and fellowship at a nutrition site. -home-delivered meals: nutritious meals are delivered to homebound seniors along with a daily check-in.senior insurance counselingthe senior health insurance program (ship) is a health insurance counseling service sponsored by Cefs Economic Opportunity Corporation in clay, effingham, fayette, christian, and montgomery…
$2,178,738 spentof which $1,157,566 as grants$442,145 earned by the program10% of program spendingOutreach programs:community services block grant:Cefs Economic Opportunity Corporation provides outreach and referral services through field offices across its seven-county service area. Staff members at these local offices are trained in basic information and referrals to assist with social service needs. They offer intensive case management services to individuals and families and often serve as the first point of contact for assistance. Major programs offered directly through the offices include liheap, weatherization, tax assistance, emergency food and shelter, budgeting, literacy, senior services, and housing counseling. If outreach staff cannot provide direct assistance, referrals are made to other programs and providers. The community services block grant program is funded by the illinois department of commerce and economic opportunity.adult volunteer literacy:many adults in illinois have limited incomes due to limited skills in reading, writing, math, or english proficiency. The cefs learning center provides adult literacy services that help participants more fully engage in their family, work, and community roles. The center administers adult literacy, ged preparation,…
$1,820,457 spentof which $686,857 as grants8% of program spendingHome weatherization programs:illinois home weatherization assistancethe illinois home weatherization assistance program provides free energy-saving measures for qualifying applicants in christian, clay, effingham, fayette, montgomery, moultrie, and shelby counties. Services include insulation, air sealing, caulking, weatherstripping, glass replacement, and window and door repair or replacement.the program also offers retrofits, repairs, or replacement of heating units. A qualified assessor checks the unit's safety and, if it is hazardous and cannot be repaired, a higher-efficiency furnace or heater may be installed. Studies show these measures can reduce energy costs by 25% to 30%, allowing recipients to use more of their income for other essential needs.eligibility is based on 12-month income verification, homeownership documentation for the homeowner or landlord, and a copy of the fuel bill. Funding comes from the illinois department of commerce and economic opportunity, the u.s. Department of energy, the u.s. Department of health and human services, and ameren illinois.affordable housing programthrough the affordable housing program (ahp) general fund, cefs rehabilitates…
$1,058,528 spentof which $608,938 as grants5% of program spendingOther programs
$132,781 spentof which $80,522 as grants$24,113 earned by the program1% of program spending
The 8 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $21,463,934.
The organization over time
Each line starts at 100 in 2017, so what you read is the shape rather than the size: 150 means half as much again as 2017, 50 means half. The number beside each label in the key is where it ended. The shaded band is where the middle 50% of its peers' revenue would sit, given their growth.
Balance sheet
Total assets and total liabilities at each year end, in dollars. The largest one-year move in total assets was 2021 to 2022, from $8.6M to $10M (+21%).
How it's funded, over time
Each bar is one year's revenue split into where it came from, and every bar is the same height — these are shares, not amounts, so a year that raised twice as much looks the same size. Hover a bar for the split.
Government-grant reliance: 2017 94% · 2018 93% · 2019 94% · 2020 94% · 2021 95% · 2022 96% · 2023 96% · 2024 95%. Grants only. Government contracts and fees sit inside program revenue.
96% of CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION’s revenue is contributions — more reliant on donations than three-quarters of its peers (21% for the typical peer).
Surplus & reserves
Operating surplus or deficit each year, and months of liquidity in hand. 1 of the last 8 reported years ran a deficit.
reserve
Leadership and staff
The officers, directors, trustees and key employees listed on each return. Joined and no longer listed compare each filing with the year before, matching people by surname and first initial; a year after a gap, or a roster under three people, has no comparison.
Chief executive
Kevin Bushur
Chief executive officer
As listed on its FY2024 Form 990.
Who funds it, year by year
2017 → 2023: the base held at 6 funders, grant income rose $1.2M → $1.6M.
5 of 14 of your funders are donor-advised or pass-through sponsors (tagged DAF) — 1% of grant dollars received. That money is really individual donors directing a sponsor; the institutions to cultivate are the non-DAF funders.
From the IRS filings of CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION’s funders (the co-funder graph). Association, not causation. Trends are read to FY2023, the last fiscal year that has finished arriving. FY2024–FY2026 are still being filed and are shown unshaded; they do not move any figure on this page.
How concentrated its funding is
CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION leans on a few funders — its largest provides 49% of grant income and the top three 92%; half comes from just 2 funders.
the vertical line marks half of all grant income — 2 funders to its left
100% of the income these shares are computed over arrives through pass-through sponsors or from payers whose filings do not say what kind of payment it is. Concentration is still measured over all of it, because the money is real; what it does not support is a claim about how many institutions have chosen to fund CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION.
Largest funder’s share by year: 2017 40% · 2018 42% · 2019 43% · 2020 41% · 2021 44% · 2022 40% · 2023 49% — growing more concentrated.
“Effective funders” = inverse Herfindahl index (1 / Σ shareᵢ²) — the number of equal-sized funders that would give the same concentration. Trends are read to FY2023, the last fiscal year that has finished arriving. FY2024–FY2026 are still being filed and are shown unshaded; they do not move any figure on this page.
How long its funders stay
50% of CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION's funders are still giving 3 years after their first grant; 79% give in more than one year at all.
Share of funders still giving k years after their first recorded grant, pooled across every acquisition cohort. A funder counts as retained in a year only if it made a grant that year. Measured to FY2023, the last fiscal year that has finished arriving — a funder cannot be counted as lapsed in a year most filers have not reached.
Where its funders are
100% of CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION's grant income comes from Illinois funders.
In-state vs out-of-state, by year
Funder states come from each funder’s own filing. $169k arriving through sponsors registered in 4 states is excluded from the map and the split above: a sponsor holds money on a donor’s behalf, so its registered address would place those dollars somewhere no donor need ever have been. Trends are read to FY2023, the last fiscal year that has finished arriving. FY2024–FY2026 are still being filed and are shown unshaded; they do not move any figure on this page.
Against its field
CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION is better cushioned than half of the 3,288 human services nonprofits its size.
this organization peer median middle 50% of peers· 3,288 human services nonprofits $10M–$100M, FY2024
Government funding CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION receives
Grants and contracts to this organization from federal (USASpending) and state checkbooks, reconciled to its EIN. $52.4M on record.
- Department of Health and Human Services$46.5M
- Department of Housing and Urban Development$4.0M
- Corporation for National and Community Service$1.8M
Federal grants vs contracts are distinguished; state line items keep their reported category. Matched by name + geography (the BMF), so coverage is partial and precision-first.
Organizations like CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION
Organizations whose mission and program text most resemble this one, by semantic similarity over every organization in the US filings — the closest peers, and often the clearest route to shared or prospective funders.
In Illinois
Nationally
Read directly from this organization’s own Form 990, as neutral context.
Where the money goes
95% of spending goes to programs.
Governance
Public support
100%
Share of support from the public (Schedule A) — the basis for its public-charity status.
Footprint & structure
Files a return copy in 1 state
Screen this organization
A dated, signed PDF of the compliance screen for CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION: IRS status (Business Master File, Publication 78, auto-revocation), the OFAC sanctions lists, the Internal Revenue Bulletin, and California registration, with the Rev. Proc. 2018-32 §8.01 reliance elements stated element by element. Generated from the current files at the moment you download it.
Screens are triage, not determinations; a source that cannot be read reports not screened, never clear. Screen this nonprofit · How the screen works · on the API as GET /api/screening/{ein}?format=pdf
Questions and answers
- Who funds CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION?
- CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION (Illinois) receives grants from 14 organizations whose IRS filings report $12,101,654 to it, the largest being MIDLAND AREA AGENCY ON AGING ($5,972,435). 11 of them have funded it in more than one year.
- How many funders does CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION have?
- IRS filings report 14 organizations giving $12,101,654 in grants to CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION, 11 of which have funded it in more than one year.
- Who is the largest funder of CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION?
- MIDLAND AREA AGENCY ON AGING is the largest funder on record, with $5,972,435 in grants. The full list of funders is on this page.
- How can an organization like CEFS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION find more funders?
- Start with the funders already giving here, then look at the foundations that back similar organizations in Illinois. The funding by cause and by state pages list the largest funders for a given area and how to approach them.
Play a game about who funds Cefs Economic Opportunity →
These figures are read directly from IRS Form 990 / 990-PF e-file XML: this organization’s own return for FY2024 (financials across 2017–2024), and the filings of 14 funders that report grants to it. “On record” means captured in the filings we have parsed — a funder that does not e-file, or whose grant detail is not itemized, will not appear. Filings run roughly 12–24 months behind. Trends on this page end at FY2023, the last fiscal year that has finished arriving; later years are shown and marked, and move no figure. Data on this page was exported October 14, 2026. What this page cannot tell you · view filing