Illinois Spina Bifida Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
An organization that works to improve the quality of life of children, adults, and families living with spina bifida, a lifelong neurological condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth. ISBA works to accomplish its mission with a three-part strategy.
- Income
- $268,168
- Spending
- $308,580
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 8.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 63%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $106,957, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $85,651 spent. Promote Skills Development and Independence: Through executive functioning coaching and vocational rehabilitation programs, ISBA helped 79 children, teens, and adults with skills, strategies, and tools needed to pursue their academic, driving, and employment goals.Since 2016, annual GoBabyGo workshops have provided custom electric ride-on cars to 137 children to empower greater mobility and independence.The Community-Clinic Connection program has worked on more than 1,800 individualized coaching and referral cases since 2017. ISBA helps people find medical care, navigate benefits, access community resources, and maintain basic needs.
- $75,252 spent. Support Individuals and Families Through Outreach, Education, and Advocacy: ISBA has built a statewide network of more than 1000 people living with spina bifida through community events, virtual groups, and outreach at hospital outpatient clinics.ISBA has partnerships with Shriners Children's Chicago, where ISBA is co-located, as well as with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Loyola Medicine, The UChicago Medicine Margaret Hackett Family Program, and OSF HealthCare in Peoria.Education advocacy and legislative advocacy help ensure that people of all ages with spina bifida receive the services they need.
- $56,058 spent. Invest in People Through Targeted Financial Assistance: ISBA provided financial assistance for medical expenses and equipment, scholarships, camp, adaptive sports, and emergency needs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1971.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.