Better Government Association (BGA)
The Better Government Association (BGA) is a left-of-center Chicago-based organization established in 1923 which claims to use journalism and policy advocacy to promote government transparency. The group’s journalism arm, the Illinois Answers Project, publishes stories and media projects that promote left-of-center views on criminal justice. The group has received funding from several Chicago-based companies and foundations including the Chicago Community Trust, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, and the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball franchise. 1 2
Contents
Activities
Illinois Answers Project
The Illinois Answers Project is the investigative journalism outlet of the Better Government Association (BGA) and is affiliated with the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN). Previously known as the Investigative News Network, INN is a left-of-center network of nonprofit media organizations including Mother Jones, ProPublica, and the Intercept. The INN claims to have over 425 affiliate organizations as of 2023. 3 4 5
The Illinois Answers Project was launched in 2021 through a grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation as a joint partnership between the BGA and McCormick and was originally called the “Illinois Solutions Partnership.” 6
The project reports on policy topics including housing, criminal justice, and state and local government. 7
Advocacy
The Better Government Association (BGA) advocates in favor of left-of-center policy proposals at both the state and Chicago-area level. At the state level, the group has argued support for increasing the funding of the state pension fund, expanding programs under the state’s Freedom of Information Act such as the judicial branch and police misconduct databases, campaign finance contribution limits, and promoting “equity” in legislative leadership representation. 8
At the city level, the BGA has advocated for changing Chicago’s municipal government such as policies to including to reject mayoral appointments of leadership positions, changing the city’s inspection and enforcement programs, and updating city contracting along with other public services. 9
Leadership
As of 2025, the Better Government Association (BGA) was led by president and CEO David Greising, a former journalist who previously held senior roles at publications including the Chicago Tribune, Reuters, World Business Chicago, and Chicago News Cooperative. The BGA’s board of directors was chaired by Heather Steans of the Steans Family Foundation (and sister to Arabella Advisors chair Jennifer Steans) and also included representatives from law firms, foundations, and companies. Nykia Wright, the CEO of the National Association of Realtors, was also an officer on the board of the BGA. 10 11
Funding
As of 2022, Better Government Association (BGA) has received funding from foundations, individual donors, law firms, corporations, and civic groups. These include the Kovler Family Foundation, the Canning Foundation, Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation, Dr. Scholl Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the Oppenheimer Family Foundation, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, ABC7 Chicago, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Chicago Cubs Baseball Club, Dentons US LLP, Edelman Worldwide, and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. 1
Financial Statistics
Total Assets
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
| Year | Total Assets | Total Revenue | Total Expenses | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,353,536 | $4,548,547 | $4,716,036 | View |
| 2023 | $3,981,316 | $4,347,030 | $4,415,988 | View |
| 2022 | $3,893,947 | $4,237,511 | $3,978,600 | View |
| 2021 | $3,907,227 | $3,042,344 | $2,881,625 | View |
| 2020 | $4,071,643 | $2,792,855 | $2,722,959 | View |
Prior year filings: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Revenue Detail
Expenses Detail
Employee Compensation
- Number of Employees: 34
Highest Earning Employees
Grant Activity
All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:
- Total Grant Value: $18,577,270
- Number of Grants: 600
- Number of Funders: 142
Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years: