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Easter Seals Inc

EIN 36-2171729 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EASTERSEALS EMPOWERS PEOPLE SO THEY CAN THRIVE. WE MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE EACH YEAR BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES, OLDER ADULTS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES. OUR NATIONAL NETWORK OF AFFILIATES IS TRUSTED TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS CUSTOMIZED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH COMMUNITY WE SERVE FROM COAST TO COAST - TRUST EARNED FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS. WE ADDRESS THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF MORE THAN ONE IN FOUR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, POLICY AND ADVOCACY. THAT'S OUR IMPACT IN THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITIES ACROSS AMERICA. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT EASTERSEALS.COM OR FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS.

Income
$47.5 million
Spending
$47.7 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
57
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$559,769, president & ceo

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

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 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. $16.9 million spent. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: FUNDING, LEADERSHIP, AND ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DISABILITIES. PRIMARY SERVICES ARE MEDICAL REHABILITATION, JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVE CHILDCARE, ADULT DAY SERVICES, AND CAMPING AND RECREATION. BUILDING FROM EASTERSEALS' EXPERTISE, EASTERSEALS IS FOCUSING ON THREE SERVICE AREAS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE: EARLY INTERVENTION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ADULT SERVICES. (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION) SUPPLEMENTING THE THREE SERVICE AREAS ARE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: SCSEP - EASTERSEALS SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SCSEP) IS A WORK-BASED COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM FOR OLDER WORKERS, FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL). AUTHORIZED BY THE OLDER AMERICAN ACT, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES SUBSIDIZED, SERVICE-BASED TRAINING FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS 55 OR OLDER, WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED WITH POOR EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS. SCSEP'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR OLDER INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TRAIN AT COMMUNITY NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, GAINING SKILLS TO PREPARE THEM FOR EMPLOYMENT. IN ADDITION, EASTERSEALS PROVIDES PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TRAINING TO HELP THEM BECOME JOB-READY; THIS CAN INCLUDE RESUME WORKSHOPS, INTERVIEW WORKSHOPS, JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER SUPPORTS TO BECOME MORE EMPLOYABLE. EASTERSEALS SCSEP PARTICIPANTS PROVIDED COMMUNITY SERVICE TO LOCAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THROUGH THEIR TRAINING ASSIGNMENTS. CTAA/NCMM - EASTERSEALS IS A SUBCONTRACTOR TO THE COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ON THIS FIVE-YEAR NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FUNDED THROUGH A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION. EASTERSEALS IS A CRITICAL PARTNER CHARGED WITH CARRYING OUT THE NCMM MISSION: TO FACILITATE COMMUNITIES TO ADOPT TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIES AND MOBILITY OPTIONS THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND ADVANCE HEALTH, ECONOMIC VITALITY, SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND COMMUNITY. THROUGH UNIVERSALLY DESIGNED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, EASTERSEALS: -ASSISTS STATES, REGIONS, AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ADDRESS TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES, SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND BUILD CAPACITY TO COORDINATE RESOURCES THROUGH MOBILITY MANAGEMENT. -SUPPORTS FTA'S COORDINATING COUNCIL ON ACCESS AND MOBILITY (CCAM). -DEVELOPS AND DELIVERS TRAINING, PRODUCTS, AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS; AND -FACILITATES A NATIONAL COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE FOR MOBILITY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS. NCMM STAFF PROVIDED VARYING LEVELS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING INTENSE AND TARGETED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS AND LESS-INTENSE TA THROUGH ONLINE MODES. NOTABLE OUTCOMES INCLUDED: TRANSPORTATION/PAC & NADTC - EASTERSEALS TRANSPORTATION GROUP STAFF ADMINISTERS TWO FEDERAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND A FEE-FOR-SERVICE CONSULTING BUSINESS. THE TRANSPORTATION GROUP FOCUSES ON FIVE MAJOR AREAS: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES, GRANTS MANAGEMENT; DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF RESOURCES, TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES. BELOW ARE THE SUMMARIES FOR EACH OF THE TRANSPORTATION GROUP'S PROGRAMS/PROJECTS. EASTERSEALS PROJECT ACTION CONSULTING (ESPAC) PROVIDES FEE-FOR-SERVICE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, AND GRANT MANAGEMENT FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP TRANSPORTATION AND/OR DISABILITY SERVICE PROVIDERS, SCHOOLS, DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT ASSOCIATIONS, TRAVEL TRAINING ASSOCIATIONS, HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES, STATES, REGIONAL AGENCIES, TRIBAL NATIONS, COMMUNITIES AND OTHERS DEVELOP CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE MOBILITY FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS. EASTERSEALS PROJECT ACTION CONSULTING OFFERS CUSTOMIZED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FIT EVERY AGENCY'S SCHEDULE AND EACH COMMUNITY'S NEEDS. STAFF HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, RURAL AND TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, STRATEGIC PLANNING, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY COALITION BUILDING, AND MANY OTHER ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION TOPICS. THE NATIONAL AGING AND DISABILITY TRANSPORTATION CENTER (NADTC) IS OPERATED THROUGH A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FUNDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (FTA). ITS MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND CAREGIVERS. STAFF IS RESPONSIBLE FOR: INFORMATION, REFERRAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES (I.E., TOLL-FREE, PERSON-CENTERED INFORMATION AND REFERRAL AND TARGETED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE); TRAINING PROGRAMS (I.E., ONLINE COURSES, WEBINARS); GRANT ADMINISTRATION (COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAMS); OUTREACH INITIATIVES (I.E., NEWSLETTERS, PRESENTATIONS AT CONFERENCES, BLOGS, AND MAINTENANCE OF WEBSITE); SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT (I.E., FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, TWITTER), RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (I.E., TRENDS REPORTS, TOOLKITS, INFORMATION BRIEFS ON SPECIFIC TOPICS OF INTEREST); SURVEYS AND RESEARCH SPECIFIC TO TRANSPORTATION FOR OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND CAREGIVERS; AS WELL AS OVERSIGHT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR FTA'S ICAM AND HSCR GRANTEES. (Expenses $ 2,967,623 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 537,658) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING: ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND CRITICAL JUDGMENT OF AFFILIATE STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, CAREGIVERS, AND OTHER HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS.
  2. $8.5 million spent. PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION: CREATING A PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AND THE ISSUES THEY FACE THROUGH MULTI-MEDIA PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS, COMMUNITY ADVOCACY, AND BY PROVIDING UP-TO-DATE RESOURCES ABOUT DISABILITIES, DISABILITY AWARENESS, OPPORTUNITIES, UNIVERSAL DESIGN, AND OTHER RELEVANT TOPICS. THE PRIMARY FOCUS IS ON YOUNG CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE LIVING WITH AUTISM, AND MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES.
  3. $4.4 million spent. FUNDRAISING ADVISORY: TRAINING AND CONSULTATION WITH EASTERSEALS' AFFILIATES TO STRENGTHEN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH DONORS AND MAKE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. (Expenses $ 2,967,623 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 537,658) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING: ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND CRITICAL JUDGMENT OF AFFILIATE STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, CAREGIVERS, AND OTHER HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS.
  4. $3.0 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING: ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND CRITICAL JUDGMENT OF AFFILIATE STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, CAREGIVERS, AND OTHER HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS.

Source: Form 990 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 August 1944.

    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.