ATHENAEUM CENTER FOR THOUGHT & CULTURE

Cite this

Plain text ATHENAEUM CENTER FOR THOUGHT & CULTURE. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2020–2024. https://furp.org/org/athenaeum-center-for-thought-and-culture-853740683. Retrieved 2026-11-02.

APA furp.org. (n.d.). ATHENAEUM CENTER FOR THOUGHT & CULTURE [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2020–2024]. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/athenaeum-center-for-thought-and-culture-853740683

MLA “ATHENAEUM CENTER FOR THOUGHT & CULTURE.” furp.org, tax years 2020–2024, https://furp.org/org/athenaeum-center-for-thought-and-culture-853740683. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-11-02; covers tax years 2020–2024. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.

2024 · Form 990 · revenue $6.2M · expenses $3.8M · assets $9.9M

EIN
85-3740683
Address
2936 N SOUTHPORT AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60657-4120
Website
Athenaeumcenter.org
NTEE code
A20
Exempt type
501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
Ruling date
May 2021 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
IRS status
Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
Tax-deductible donations
Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
Foundation status
Public charity, 509(a)(2)
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

THE ATHENAEUM CENTER FOR THOUGHT AND CULTURE (ACTC) WILL PROMOTE AND SUPPORT THE FINE ARTS, CULTURAL PROGRAMMING, AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CATHOLICS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ACTC WILL OPERATE FROM A HISTORIC THEATER BUILDING OWNED BY THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO LOCATED ON THE CAMPUS OF SAINT ALPHONSUS PARISH ON THE CITY'S NORTH SIDE.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

3 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Lawrence John Daufenbach EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TREASURER2020-2024 $177,229$508,852 1
Lawrence John Dauffenbach (former) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TREASURER2023 $177,229$177,229 1
Katelyn Joy Daufenbach (former) ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR2021-2023 $65,000$147,083 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

3 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Anthony Pienta DIRECTOR, SECRETARY2020-2024 1 $0 reported 1
James N Perry DIRECTOR2020-2024 1 $0 reported 1
William O'Hara DIRECTOR2022-2024 1 $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 4 people listed · 1 paid, $177K · 18 employees · 25 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Lawrence John Daufenbach EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TREASURER40 $158,843$0$18,386 $177,2291
ANTHONY PIENTA DIRECTOR, SECRETARY1 $0$0$0 $01
JAMES N PERRY DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
WILLIAM O'HARA DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 5 people listed · 2 paid, $242K · 33 employees · 25 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Lawrence John Dauffenbach EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TREASURER40 $158,843$0$18,386 $177,2291
KATELYN JOY DAUFENBACH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR40 $65,000$0$0 $65,0001
ANTHONY PIENTA DIRECTOR, SECRETARY1 $0$0$0 $01
JAMES N PERRY DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
WILLIAM O'HARA DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 5 people listed · 2 paid, $212K · 5 employees · 20 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
LAWRENCE DAUFENBACH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TREASURER50 $135,000$0$21,569 $156,5691
KATELYN JOY DAUFENBACH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR40 $55,000$0$0 $55,0001
James N Perry Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Anthony Pienta Director, SECRETARY1 $0$0$0 $01
william o'hara Director1 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 4 people listed · 2 paid, $185K · 5 employees · 20 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
LAWRENCE DAUFENBACH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TREASURER50 $149,741$0$8,437 $158,1781
KATELYN JOY DAUFENBACH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR40 $27,083$0$0 $27,0831
James N Perry Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Anthony Pienta Director, SECRETARY1 $0$0$0 $01
2020 · 3 people listed · 1 paid, $17K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
LAWRENCE DAUFENBACH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR40 $16,876-$0 $16,8761
James N Perry Director1 $0-$0 $01
Anthony Pienta Director1 $0-$0 $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

2024 · 1 contractor · $230K
NameLocationServicePaid
Midwest Event Solutions LLCAlgonquin, ILEVENT PLANNING$229,808
2023 · 1 contractor · $274K
NameLocationServicePaid
JOHN RONAN ARCHITECTSCHICAGO, ILRENOVATION DESIGN$273,936
2022 · 1 contractor · $120K
NameLocationServicePaid
JOHN RONAN ARCHITECTSCHICAGO, ILrennovation design$119,901
2021 · 1 contractor · $124K
NameLocationServicePaid
JOHN RONAN ARCHITECTSCHICAGO, ILrennovation design$123,929

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$6,220,759$3,839,089 $9,860,595$9,843,310 $2,335,592$3,352,887 $242,2291825
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$3,929,907$3,447,521 $7,506,010$7,471,947 $1,544,214$2,077,854 $242,2293325
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$8,705,728$2,519,204 $7,075,000$7,063,793 $6,547,524$2,008,484 $211,569520
2021 · Form 990 period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$1,281,015$484,483 $877,552$877,552 $1,168,890$31,748 $185,261520
2020 · Form 990EZ period ending 2020-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$100,001$18,981 $82,253$81,020 $100,000- ---

Funders of this organization

5 grantors reported grants to this organization, $10,594,962 in all, tax years 2021 to 2025. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor Exact 2021-2024 4$10,550,946 2024$1,130,946
show
R TEMPLETON SMITH FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “ATHENAEUM CENTER FOR THOUGHT & CULTURE” 2024-2025 2$19,000 2025$14,000
show
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor Exact 2022, 2024 2$17,500 2024$12,000
show
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor Exact 2023 1$7,500 2023$7,500
show
AMAZONSMILE FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “ATHENAEUM CENTER FOR THOUGHT & CULTURE” 2023 1$16 2023$16
show

Nearby + Similar BETA

Organizations like this one: what they do and who they are linked to

Same category: NTEE code and revenue

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
FRIENDS OF THE MARTHAS VINEYARD CONCERT SERIESILA20 $8,688,894$9,965,131 CLERK$60,000 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x, same state
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINEILA20 $6,767,548$6,230,150 CEO$375,644 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x, same state
WINNETKA COMMUNITY HOUSEILA20 $5,682,554$4,502,596 PRESIDENT/CEO$175,080 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x, same state
UNITED STATES ARTISTS INCILA20 $9,612,913$8,259,349 PRESIDENT AND CEO$320,802 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x, same state
MONASTERY FOUNDATIONILA20 $3,760,109$1,043,133 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x, same state
MIZEL CENTER FOR ARTS AND CULTURECOA20 $5,190,318$5,111,764 CEO$266,077 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTSOHA20 $4,060,916$4,186,560 PRESIDENT & CEO (RETIRED APRIL 2025)$131,076 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
CENTER FOR JEWISH CULTURE AND CREATIVITYCAA20 $6,015,992$4,627,324 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$14,000 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
COTUIT CENTER FOR THE ARTS INCMAA20 $3,248,958$3,077,515 EXECUTIVE DI$145,549 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
COMMUNITY CENTER FOR THE ARTSWYA20 $10,620,613$4,926,916 Executive Director$206,576 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTSCAA20 $9,315,946$11,565,919 INTERIM CEO$216,114 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
SPRUILL CENTER FOR THE ARTS INCGAA20 $3,358,584$2,558,616 CEO$128,077 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
ARMORY CENTER FOR THE ARTSCAA20 $7,368,554$3,105,165 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & PRESI$170,669 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTERPAA20 $7,764,222$6,885,074 PRESIDENT & CEO$274,756 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
MAUI ARTS & CULTURAL CENTERHIA20 $7,821,331$10,437,869 CEO$241,256 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
ENCOUNTER FOR CULTURE AND EDUCATION INCNYA20 $8,958,140$5,383,252 PRESIDENT$404,968 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
CENTER OF SOUTHWEST CULTURE INCNMA20 $4,331,702$4,056,151 PROJECT DIRE$159,740 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
CENTER FOR FATHERS AND FAMILIESCAA20 $4,540,887$4,000,643 Member$93,762 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
GARDE ARTS CENTER INCCTA20 $5,062,502$4,076,860 Exec. Director$122,741 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
PALM BEACH CULTURAL INNOVATION CENTER INCFLA20 $8,140,325$2,287,699 Secretary$231,253 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
OCEAN REEF CULTURAL CENTER INCFLA20 $4,330,960$4,739,848 FORMER PRESIDENT$188,320 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
CENTROCULTURAL MEXICANOWAA20 $3,156,255$2,986,841 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$234,444 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
GRAY AREA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTSCAA20 $6,365,999$6,810,035 AIR OPERATIONS MANAGER$203,333 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
KOHLER TRUST FOR THE ARTS AND EDUCATIONWIA20 $9,669,994$9,514,915 CHAIRPERSON/TRUSTEE$0 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x
ALLIANCE FOR CALIFORNIA TRADITIONAL ARTSCAA20 $3,476,491$5,629,669 Executive Dir.$145,681 Same NTEE code A20, revenue within 2x

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND funds this one DAF sponsor$56,042,257377 702016–2024 COUNTERPUBLIC; YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS; BOSTON PUBLIC ART TRIENNIAL INC; CENTER FOR JEWISH CULTURE AND CREATIVITY and 66 more
ANDREW W MELLON FOUNDATION Private foundation$29,844,00032 102016–2024 UNITED STATES ARTISTS INC; ALLIANCE FOR CALIFORNIA TRADITIONAL ARTS; HOME FOR CONTEMPORARY THEATRE AND ART LTD; APPALSHOP INC and 6 more
FORD FOUNDATION Private foundation$23,418,55856 112013–2024 UNITED STATES ARTISTS INC; MIJENTE SUPPORT COMMITTEE; ST ANNS WAREHOUSE INC; CITY LORE INC and 7 more
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MEMPHIS AND THE MID-SOUTH INC DAF sponsor$21,883,51540 22010–2024 CROSSTOWN ARTS; COALITION TO SALUTE AMERICAS HEROES FOUNDATION
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING funds this one DAF sponsor$20,521,481355 652014–2024 BERKELEY SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC; CENTER OF CREATIVE ARTS; UNITED STATES ARTISTS INC; MONTALVO ASSOCIATION and 61 more
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR funds this one DAF sponsor$19,052,775149 392014–2024 UNITED STATES ARTISTS INC; JEWISH FOOD SOCIETY INC; ST ANNS WAREHOUSE INC; CORNELIUS ARTS COMMUNITY CENTER INC and 35 more
QUAD CITIES GOLF CLASSIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$13,113,51616 12009–2024 FIGGE ART MUSEUM
KOHLER FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$12,871,39247 12020–2025 JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER INC
WILLIAM & FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION Private foundation$12,313,09991 72010–2024 ALLIANCE FOR CALIFORNIA TRADITIONAL ARTS; YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS; MONTALVO ASSOCIATION; STERN GROVE FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION and 3 more
OCEAN REEF FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$12,157,83715 12012–2024 OCEAN REEF CULTURAL CENTER INC
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$11,616,87675 182010–2024 COMMUNITY WORKS WEST INC; MONTALVO ASSOCIATION; PIONEER WORKS ART FOUNDATION; FAMILY ACTION NETWORK MOVEMENT INC and 14 more
RICHARD KING MELLON FOUNDATION DTD 01-01-47 Private foundation$10,700,00016 22019–2024 AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER; RIVERS OF STEEL HERITAGE CORPORATION
JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION Private foundation$10,554,05563 92010–2020 ALLIANCE FOR CALIFORNIA TRADITIONAL ARTS; YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS; BALBOA PARK CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP; ARMORY CENTER FOR THE ARTS and 5 more
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$8,915,13760 182012–2024 TRILITH INSTITUTE INC; CAFE 1040 INC; COALITION TO SALUTE AMERICAS HEROES FOUNDATION; ST ANNS WAREHOUSE INC and 14 more
JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND DAF sponsor$8,438,45853 122009–2024 ST ANNS WAREHOUSE INC; PIONEER WORKS ART FOUNDATION; CENTER FOR JEWISH CULTURE AND CREATIVITY; CITY LORE INC and 8 more

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2024 · Form 990 · $3,839,089 spent · pay $1,057,963 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)BOX OFFICE $1,801,245$1,801,245-- 46.9%
Other salaries and wages $665,037$465,526$199,511- 17.3%
Other (as described)AUDIENCE SERVICES $282,448$282,448-- 7.4%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $242,229$169,560$72,669- 6.3%
Information technology $148,711$104,098$44,613- 3.9%
Other (as described)REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE $98,629-$98,629- 2.6%
Occupancy $94,569$66,198$28,371- 2.5%
Payroll taxes $84,974$59,482$25,492- 2.2%
Fees: accounting $83,616-$83,616- 2.2%
Insurance $72,102$50,471$21,631- 1.9%
Advertising and promotion $64,387$45,071$19,316- 1.7%
Office expenses $61,814$43,270$18,544- 1.6%
Other employee benefits $52,263$36,584$15,679- 1.4%
Other (as described)FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT $30,629--$30,629 0.8%
All other expenses $18,111$0$18,111$0 0.5%
Fees: legal $16,682-$16,682- 0.4%
Pension plan contributions $13,460$9,422$4,038- 0.4%
Travel $6,643$4,650$1,993- 0.2%
Fees: lobbying $1,540-$1,540- 0.0%
Total$3,839,089100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $3,447,521 spent · pay $881,870 · grants $21 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)BOX OFFICE $1,211,249$1,211,249-- 35.1%
Other salaries and wages $524,221$366,955$157,266- 15.2%
Depreciation and depletion $512,626$358,838$153,788- 14.9%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $242,229$169,560$72,669$0 7.0%
Other (as described)AUDIENCE SERVICES $206,988$206,988-- 6.0%
Information technology $147,096$102,967$44,129- 4.3%
Other (as described)REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE $106,555-$106,555- 3.1%
Occupancy $101,252$70,876$30,376- 2.9%
Advertising and promotion $94,661$66,263$28,398- 2.7%
Payroll taxes $73,952$51,766$22,186- 2.1%
Insurance $54,251$37,976$16,275- 1.6%
Fees: accounting $50,706-$50,706- 1.5%
Office expenses $42,607$29,825$12,782- 1.2%
Other employee benefits $29,939$20,957$8,982- 0.9%
Fees: legal $14,304-$14,304- 0.4%
Pension plan contributions $11,529$8,070$3,459- 0.3%
All other expenses $10,290$0$10,290$0 0.3%
Other (as described)FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT $9,842--$9,842 0.3%
Travel $3,203$2,242$961- 0.1%
Grants to US organizations and governments $21$21-- 0.0%
Total$3,447,521100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $2,519,204 spent · pay $677,156 · grants $686 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)BOX OFFICE $1,045,855$1,045,855-- 41.5%
Other salaries and wages $378,832$109,351$269,481- 15.0%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $211,569-$211,569- 8.4%
Insurance $143,801-$143,801- 5.7%
Advertising and promotion $108,066$14,657$93,409- 4.3%
Information technology $107,084-$107,084- 4.3%
Occupancy $98,559-$98,559- 3.9%
Other (as described)PRODUCTION COSTS $63,438$63,438-- 2.5%
Fees: legal $62,249-$62,249- 2.5%
Other (as described)REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE $59,477-$59,477- 2.4%
Fees: accounting $56,574-$56,574- 2.2%
Fees: other services $52,575-$52,575- 2.1%
Payroll taxes $41,191-$41,191- 1.6%
Other employee benefits $36,064$2,853$33,211- 1.4%
Office expenses $24,664-$20,889$3,775 1.0%
Other (as described)COMMUNICATIONS $9,793-$9,793- 0.4%
Pension plan contributions $9,500-$9,500- 0.4%
All other expenses $5,736$32$5,704- 0.2%
Travel $3,491-$3,491- 0.1%
Grants to US organizations and governments $686$686-- 0.0%
Total$2,519,204100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990 · $484,483 spent · pay $220,282 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $185,261$128,946$46,315$10,000 38.2%
Fees: legal $76,894$3,845$73,049- 15.9%
Information technology $53,751$40,313$13,438- 11.1%
Advertising and promotion $41,535$3,227$38,308- 8.6%
Insurance $29,928$22,446$7,482- 6.2%
Fees: accounting $23,044$1,152$21,892- 4.8%
Payroll taxes $15,856$11,892$3,964- 3.3%
Other (as described)PRODUCTION COSTS $13,744$13,087$657- 2.8%
Other (as described)MEMBERSHIP AND LICENSES $8,902-$8,902- 1.8%
Other salaries and wages $8,872$6,654$2,218- 1.8%
Other (as described)COMMUNICATIONS $6,308$4,731$1,577- 1.3%
Other employee benefits $5,363$4,022$1,341- 1.1%
Pension plan contributions $4,930$3,697$1,233- 1.0%
Office expenses $4,112$2,337$1,028$747 0.8%
Other (as described)BOX OFFICE $3,592$3,233$359- 0.7%
All other expenses $1,977$54$1,810$113 0.4%
Travel $414-$414- 0.1%
Total$484,483100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990EZ · $18,981 spent · pay $18,565 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $18,565 97.8%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $416 2.2%
Total$18,981100%

View the filing

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