Illinois DOGE Deep Dive: Dewitt County Friendship Center

Dewitt County Friendship Center, Building | https://dewittdailynews.com/

By L. E. Willis

Aug 24, 2025

Dewitt County Friendship Center, a tax-exempt nonprofit that receives significant public funding to perform services also offered by the state, was approved to receive a $100,000 grant in FY2024, according to passed legislation data extracted from the Illinois General Assembly’s FY2024 budget (Public Act 102-6 0698).

This appropriation represents 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.

Dewitt County Friendship Center states that its mission is: “To ensure the well-being of all senior and elderly individuals and provide a place where they can feel safe, comfortable, and at home.”

In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $141,505 in total revenue.

The nonprofit listed $141,491 in contributions overall. It also reported $141,491 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.

At the beginning of 2024, Dewitt County Friendship Center had $297,000 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $303,703, indicating a 2.3% growth in overall holdings.

However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.

Dewitt County Friendship Center 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.

Dewitt County Friendship Center 990 Filing – Key Officers