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Backbones

EIN 27-0485598 · Prospect Hts, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AIMS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND CREATE LEADERS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL CONTIBUTE TO RELIEVING ISOLATION AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO VREATES PAID OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES, BLOGGING AND INTERSNIPS.

Income
$149,920
Spending
$56,058
Reserves
27 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Highest pay
$20,000, executive di

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 63% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (4)
  1. $9,099 spent. LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: YEAR-LONG DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR 10 INDIVIDUALS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES. MONTHLY SESSIONS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SKILLS BUILDING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING.
  2. $19,499 spent. YOUTH PROGRAM: SUMMER PROGRAM FOR TEENAGERS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES. WEEKLY SESSIONS COVERING A VARIETY OF TOPICS RELEVANT TO DISABLED ADOLESCENCE.
  3. $7,282 spent. PEERCONNECT PROGRAM: PEERCONNECT OFFERS BOTH VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON EVENTS FOR THE SPINAL CORD INJURY AND DISABILITIES (SCI/D) COMMUNITY TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS.
  4. BACKBONES PROGRAMMING AIMS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND TO CREATE LEADERS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO RELIEVING ISOLATION AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CREATES PAID OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES, BLOGGING AND INTERNSHIPS.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 October 21, 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.