EQUIP FOR EQUALITY INC

As filed

Subsection

03

Classification

1000

Street

20 N MICHIGAN AVE STE 300

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2024

• PROTECTION & ADVOCACY FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (PADD)PADD IS THE FIRST STATE P&A PROGRAM CREATED BY CONGRESS UNDER THE DD ASSISTANCE & BILL OF RIGHTS ACT OF 1975, FOLLOWING A NATIONAL EXPOSE BY GERALDO RIVERA ON DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS IN A LARGE STATE-RUN DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER IN NEW YORK. UNDER THE ACT, EQUIP FOR EQUALITY (EFE) IS TO PURSUE LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER APPROPRIATE REMEDIES TO PROTECT AND ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS. FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THE STATE P&A TO BE INDEPENDENT OF SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THROUGH THE PADD PROGRAM, EFE HAS PROVIDED ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WITH SELF-ADVOCACY ASSISTANCE, AND REPRESENTATION IN NEGOTIATIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS AND INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMIC LITIGATION. IN ADDITION, EFE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MONITOR COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS AS WELL AS PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. OVER THE YEARS, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS HAVE BENEFITED FROM OUR LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES AND INDEPENDENT MONITORING EFFORTS. EFE EMPOWERS PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL / DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH DISABILITY RIGHTS TRAINING SESSIONS AND THROUGH ITS PLAIN LANGUAGE WEBSITE WITH PRACTICAL TIPS ABOUT HOW TO EFFECTIVELY RESOLVE COMMON PROBLEMS THEMSELVES.

  Expenses $1,055,147

• REP PAYEE PROGRAM THE FEDERAL STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES ACT OF 2018 EMPOWERS STATE P&AS, INCLUDING EFE, TO CONDUCT PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES TO DETERMINE IF BENEFICIARY FUNDS ARE PROPERLY SAFEGUARDED AND TO ENSURE BENEFICIARY NEEDS ARE MET. THE ACT ALSO DIRECTS THE ORGANIZATION TO CONDUCT OUTREACH AND EDUCATIONAL TRAININGS TO ENSURE THAT PAYEES UNDERSTAND THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.IF EFE'S DETAILED REVIEW FINDS THAT THE PAYEE IS NOT CARRYING OUT ITS DUTIES, CORRECTIVE ACTION(S) MAY BE NEEDED FOR THE PAYEE TO CONTINUE TO MANAGE THE BENEFICIARY'S MONEY. ONCE ALL CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ARE IMPLEMENTED, OR IF THE REVIEW FINDS THAT NO CORRECTIVE ACTION IS NEEDED, THE PAYEE IS NOTIFIED THAT THE REVIEW IS COMPLETE.AS A RESULT OF THESE REVIEWS, EFE HELPS PAYEES UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND ENSURES THAT BENEFICIARY NEEDS ARE MET. EFE ALSO ALERTS THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) WHEN A PAYEE IS NOT ACTING IN A BENEFICIARY'S BEST INTEREST, SOMETIMES LEADING TO THE REMOVAL OF THE PAYEE. FINALLY, EFE ALSO ALERTS SSA AND OTHER INVESTIGATING AGENCIES IF ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION IS UNCOVERED DURING A REVIEW. AS PART OF THIS, EFE HAS FILED COMPLAINTS WITH A VARIETY OF STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT ON AGING - ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND OTHERS. OUR COMPLAINTS HAVE RESULTED IN LICENSE REVOCATION OF SOME PAYEES AND TERMINATION OF STATE FUNDING.

  Expenses $903,669

• PROTECTION & ADVOCACY FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSTHE PAIMI PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1986, FOLLOWING CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS THAT DOCUMENTED WIDESPREAD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, SUSPICIOUS DEATHS, DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS, INADEQUATE STAFFING AND LACK OF APPROPRIATE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AT PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INPATIENT FACILITIES, AS WELL AS A LACK OF INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT OF THESE SETTINGS. UNDER PAIMI, EFE IS REQUIRED TO PROTECT AND ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN FACILITIES THAT PROVIDE CARE OR TREATMENT FOR THIS POPULATION AS WELL AS FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY. THROUGH THE PAIMI PROGRAM, EFE PROVIDES ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH SELF-ADVOCACY ASSISTANCE, AND REPRESENTATION IN NEGOTIATIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS AND INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMIC LITIGATION. IN ADDITION, EFE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MONITOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS AND INSTITUTIONS. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS HAVE BENEFITED FROM OUR LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES AND INDEPENDENT MONITORING EFFORTS. EFE EMPOWERS PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH DISABILITY RIGHTS TRAINING SESSIONS AND THROUGH ITS PLAIN LANGUAGE WEBSITE WITH PRACTICAL TIPS ABOUT HOW TO EFFECTIVELY RESOLVE COMMON PROBLEMS THEMSELVES.

  Expenses $873,707

• OTHER EFE PROGRAMSEFE ALSO ADMINISTERS THE OTHER FEDERAL P&A PROGRAMS FOR ILLINOIS, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES UNDER THE ADA ENCOUNTERING DISCRIMINATION AND OTHER RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, PEOPLE RECEIVING FEDERAL DISABILITY PAYMENTS (SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME OR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE) WHO ARE ENCOUNTERING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, PEOPLE WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY WHOSE RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED, VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES ENCOUNTERING ACCESSIBILITY BARRIERS SUCH AS AT THEIR POLLING PLACE, PEOPLE ENCOUNTERING CHALLENGES IN SECURING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES AND RELATED TRAINING, AND PEOPLE ENCOUNTERING BARRIERS IN SEEKING JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT THROUGH THE STATE REHABILITATION SYSTEM.WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM INDIVIDUALS, LEADING CORPORATIONS AND LAW FIRMS, STATE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, EQUIP FOR EQUALITY HAS BEEN ABLE TO SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND THE SCOPE AND REACH OF ITS MISSION. EFE HAS TWO LEGAL SERVICES TEAMS THE CIVIL RIGHTS PROGRAM AND THE SPECIAL EDUCATION RIGHTS CLINIC, AND OUR THIRD PROGRAM IS THE INDEPENDENT MONITORING UNIT.THE ORGANIZATION ALSO ENGAGES IN PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY AND DRAFTS AND ADVANCES STATE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE THE RIGHTS AND SAFETY OF PEOPLE WITH ALL TYPES OF DISABILITIES USING UNRESTRICTED FUNDS. EQUIP FOR EQUALITY HAS A ROBUST PRO BONO PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE WITH LEADING CORPORATE LAW DEPARTMENTS AND LAW FIRMS. MANY YEARS, DONATED SERVICES ARE EQUIVALENT TO 6 - 7 FULL-TIME ADVOCACY STAFF.

  Expenses $4,487,055 · Revenue $158,406

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

• 2024

  Revenue

  $9,633,716

  Expenses

  $9,386,073

  Contributions

  $9,394,491

  Grants paid

  $0

• 2023

  Revenue

  $9,209,981

  Expenses

  $9,658,865

  Contributions

  $8,784,703

  Grants paid

  $0

• 2022

  Revenue

  $9,425,878

  Expenses

  $9,321,913

  Contributions

  $8,644,394

  Grants paid

  $0

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

• 2021 · 990

  Revenue

  $8,749,152

  Expenses

  $8,087,307

  Assets (EOY)

  $3,785,149

• 2020 · 990

  Revenue

  $7,145,810

  Expenses

  $7,864,510

  Assets (EOY)

  $3,722,493

• 2019 · 990

  Revenue

  $7,965,401

  Expenses

  $7,126,400

  Assets (EOY)

  $3,775,254

• 2018 · 990

  Revenue

  $7,914,498

  Expenses

  $7,289,393

  Assets (EOY)

  $2,975,317

• 2017 · 990

  Revenue

  $6,784,252

  Expenses

  $6,496,819

  Assets (EOY)

  $2,680,941

• 2016 · 990

  Revenue

  $6,300,680

  Expenses

  $5,905,147

  Assets (EOY)

  $2,116,596

• 2015 · 990

  Revenue

  $5,847,835

  Expenses

  $5,621,291

  Assets (EOY)

  $2,013,703

• 2014 · 990

  Revenue

  $6,343,573

  Expenses

  $6,400,909

  Assets (EOY)

  $2,240,205

• 2013 · 990

  Revenue

  $6,053,837

  Expenses

  $5,870,479

  Assets (EOY)

  $2,472,670

• 2012 · 990

  Revenue

  — not reported

  Expenses

  $5,513,684

  Assets (EOY)

  $2,235,888

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

No itemized grants to organizations. Schedule I is filed only by organizations that granted more than $5,000 to a recipient, so most filers have none.

Grants received

• LAWYERS TRUST FUND OF ILLINOIS

  $610,000

  2024 · TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES

• LAWYERS TRUST FUND OF ILLINOIS

  $459,800

  2023 · TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES

• LAWYERS TRUST FUND OF ILLINOIS

  $442,400

  2022 · TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES

• ILLINOIS EQUAL JUSTICE FOUNDATION

  $220,000

  2024 · TO PROVIDE LEGAL INFORMATION AND ADVICE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION ISSUES VIA A STATEWIDE HOTLINE. TO PROVIDE OUTREACH TO DISABLED PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIMINALIZATION OF CANNABIS.

• ILLINOIS EQUAL JUSTICE FOUNDATION

  $220,000

  2023 · TO PROVIDE LEGAL INFORMATION AND ADVICE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION ISSUES VIA A STATEWIDE HOTLINE. TO PROVIDE OUTREACH TO DISABLED PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIMINALIZATION OF CANNABIS.

• ILLINOIS EQUAL JUSTICE FOUNDATION

  $200,000

  2022 · TO PROVIDE LEGAL INFORMATION AND ADVICE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION ISSUES VIA A STATEWIDE HOTLINE. TO PROVIDE OUTREACH TO DISABLED PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIMINALIZATION OF CANNABIS.

• EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS

  $180,000

  2024 · FELLOWSHIP SUPPORT

• CHICAGO BAR FOUNDATION

  $110,000

  2022 · GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

• CHICAGO BAR FOUNDATION

  $55,000

  2024 · GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

• EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS

  $50,100

  2022 · FELLOWSHIP SUPPORT

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Other IRS files