Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions. Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO
Employer identification number
36-2317619
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
A family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
A 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of monetary support
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
1,237,284
1,100,531
1,567,262
1,693,172
2,333,074
7,931,323
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3
1,237,284
1,100,531
1,567,262
1,693,172
2,333,074
7,931,323
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
7,931,323
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
1,237,284
1,100,531
1,567,262
1,693,172
2,333,074
7,931,323
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
1,813
298
115
132
125
2,483
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
7,933,806
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
13
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.................................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public support percentage for 2013 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))
.........
14
99.970 %
15
Public support percentage for 2012 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
99.760 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2013.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2013.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b, and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
.....................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a, and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
................................................
18
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
.....................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
8
Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
..
13
Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..
14
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public support percentage for 2013 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2013 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2013.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3%, and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....
20
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at
www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO
Employer identification number
36-2317619
Return Reference
Explanation
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2
DANIEL A. COTTER, KURT W. FLORIAN, JR. AND BRIAN WIEDENHOEFT SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR BOTH EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO AND FRIENDS OF THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO. ALL OTHER BOARDS MEMBERS ARE INDEPENDENT VOTING MEMBERS. IN ADDITION, ROBERTA J. SHOEMAKER PERFORMS SERVICES AND MAINTAINS THE BOOKS AND RECORDS FOR BOTH FRIENDS OF THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO AND EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11
THE ORGANIZATION REVIEWS THE TAX RETURN FOR COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY PRIOR TO HAVING IT FILED WITH THE IRS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C
MANAGEMENT MUST FILL OUT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM YEARLY TO ENSURE THERE ARE NO NEW CONFLICTS THAT AROSE DURING THE PAST YEAR.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A
TOP MANAGEMENTS COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND MARKET CONDITIONS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19
ALL POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING UPON REQUEST.
OTHER INFORMATION
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S ADVOCACY EFFORTS SAW SUBSTANTIAL SUCCESS IN THE 2014 FISCAL YEAR. WORKING WITH CLIENTS AND PARENTS, AS WELL AS LOBBYISTS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, THE FOUNDATION WAS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF SB2636, A SENATE BILL THAT ALLOWS EPILEPSY TO BE ONE OF THE DISORDERS FOR WHICH MEDICAL MARIJUANA MAY BE USED. PRELIMINARY STUDIES AND PERSONAL STORIES HAVE SHOWN SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN SEIZURE FREQUENCY FOR PATIENTS WHO BEGIN TAKING AN OIL THAT IS HIGH IN CANNABIDIOL AND CONTAINS LITTLE TO NO THC. THE FOUNDATION STANDS BEHIND LEGALIZING MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES AND HAS SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME OVER THE PAST FISCAL YEAR ENSURING THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN. ON ADVOCACY DAY, MAY 14, 2014, OVER 75 EPILEPSY ADVOCATES HEADED DOWN TO SPRINGFIELD, IL WITH THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO AND OUR OTHER ILLINOIS AFFILIATES TO SPEAK WITH GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES ON THIS MATTER DIRECTLY. INDIVIDUALS WHOSE LIVES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED BY EPILEPSY SPOKE TO ILLINOIS SENATE AND HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT WHY HAVING ACCESS TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA COULD BE SO BENEFICIAL FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE VOICES OF OUR ADVOCATES WERE HEARD AND BY MAY 21, 2014 BOTH THE ILLINOIS SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAD PASSED THE BILL, WHICH WAS LATER SIGNED BY GOVERNOR QUINN IN JULY 2014. MANY OF THE ADVOCATES FOR PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY DOWN IN SPRINGFIELD ON MAY 14, 2014, ALREADY HAD A STRONG COMMITMENT TO THE FOUNDATION THROUGH INVOLVEMENT IN THEIR LOCAL AREA COMMUNITY ACTION BOARDS (CABS). THESE GROUPS ARE COMPRISED OF VOLUNTEERS WHO OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES TO THE EPILEPSY COMMUNITY AND GENERAL PUBLIC IN SUPPORT OF THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION. THREE OF THE CABS ARE DESIGNATED TO CERTAIN REGIONS - THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS, THE WHEATON AREA, AND THE ST. CHARLES AREA. EACH GROUP PUTS A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT INTO REPRESENTING THE FOUNDATION IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. FROM MANAGING TABLES AT HEALTH FAIRS, ORCHESTRATING THIRD PARTY EVENTS, TO RUNNING MULTI WEEK WORKSHOPS, SUCH AS "STUDIO E: THE EPILEPSY ART THERAPY PROGRAM FOR KIDS." BOTH THE WHEATON AND NORTHWEST SUBURBAN CABS IMPLEMENTED AND OVERSAW THE LOGISTICS OF THEIR OWN "STUDIO E" WITHIN THE 2014 FISCAL YEAR. THE NORTHWEST SUBURBAN CAB ALSO TOOK PART IN THE PALATINE DISABILITY PRIDE PARADE FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR. THEY HAVE CREATED THEIR OWN FLOAT AND PUT EPILEPSY IN THE SPOTLIGHT TO THE THOUSANDS OF ATTENDEES AT THE PARADE. THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S CAB NETWORK, PEER ALLIANCE, CONTINUES TO GROW AND SURPASS THE HIGH STANDARDS THEY SET FOR THEMSELVES. THE GROUP IS COMPRISED OF OVER 40 YOUNG ADULTS AND IS LED BY A THREE-PERSON BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHO MEET BIMONTHLY. THE GROUP AS A WHOLE WILL HOLD REGULARLY SCHEDULED SUPPORT GROUPS, AS WELL AS TAKE PART IN MONTHLY EXCURSIONS SUCH AS BOWLING AND ATTENDING MOVIES IN THE PARK. THE GROUP ALSO HAS ITS OWN "PEER ALLIANCE GIVES BACK" PROGRAM. THIS IS A CHANCE FOR MEMBERS TO COME TOGETHER BY VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY AT PLACES SUCH AS THE CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENS. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION'S HISPANIC OUTREACH PROGRAM CONTINUED TO PROVIDE VALUABLE SERVICES SINCE BEING ESTABLISHED IN THE 2013 FISCAL YEAR. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE EPILEPSY AWARENESS IN, AND PROVIDE RESOURCES TO, THE LATINO COMMUNITY. SOCIAL STIGMAS, CULTURAL BELIEFS, AND LACK OF EDUCATION KEEP MANY LATINOS FROM UNDERSTANDING THE REALITIES AND MYTHS ABOUT THE DISORDER. THE DIRECTOR OF THE HISPANIC OUTREACH PROGRAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING SPANISH-SPEAKING SUPPORT GROUPS AND CASE MANAGEMENT, DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE/SERVICES TO THE HISPANIC POPULATION, AND MANAGING PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THIS COMMUNITY. OVER THE COURSE OF FY14, THREE "LA EPILEPSIA" TRAININGS TOOK PLACE AS WELL AS A "LA EPILEPSIA Y LOS NINOS," A PROGRAM FOR SPANISH SPEAKING PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY, EDUCATING OVER 90 LATINOS. THE FOUNDATION'S EDUCATION STAFF CONTINUED TO EXPAND THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE, BOTH IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EDUCATED AND THE AREA WITHIN WHICH THEY PARTICIPATED IN PRESENTATIONS, PROGRAMS, HEALTH FAIRS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. ALL OF THE FOUNDATIONS' SERVICES ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE. THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THREE PART TIME EDUCATORS (ONE LOCATED IN CHAMPAIGN, SERVING CENTRAL ILLINOIS), AND PROFESSIONAL GUESTS GAVE 215 PRESENTATIONS AND REPRESENTED THE FOUNDATION AT NUMEROUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND HEALTH FAIRS. IN TOTAL, OVER 11, 830 PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THESE PRESENTATIONS/PROGRAMS, WHICH COVERED A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS, AND CATERED TO THE SPECIFIC DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE ATTENDEES. EDUCATING SCHOOL PERSONNEL REMAINED A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION IN THE 2014 FISCAL YEAR. THE "MANAGING STUDENTS WITH SEIZURES" PRESENTATION IS GEARED TOWARD SCHOOL NURSES AND THE "SEIZURE TRAINING FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL" IS DESIGNED FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL. "SEIZURE TRAINING FOR CHILDCARE PERSONNEL" PRESENTATIONS WERE ALSO GIVEN. ALL THREE FOCUS ON THE BEST PRACTICES FOR CAREGIVERS TO CARE FOR SOMEONE WITH EPILEPSY. THE FOUNDATION ALSO GAVE PRESENTATIONS TO THE STUDENT BODY OF SCHOOLS. "EPILEPSY IN THE CLASSROOM," "TAKE CHARGE OF THE STORM," AND "TAKE CHARGE OF THE FACTS" ARE ALL PRESENTATIONS ON THE GENERAL FACTS OF EPILEPSY AND DIVIDED BY SPECIFIC AGES OF THE STUDENT POPULATIONS (CHILDREN K-4TH GRADES, 5TH-8TH GRADES, AND HIGH SCHOOLERS, RESPECTIVELY). "EPILEPSY 101," ANOTHER PRESENTATION ON THE GENERAL FACTS OF EPILEPSY WAS ALSO GIVEN, AND CATERS TO COLLEGE STUDENTS. THESE PRESENTATIONS WERE GIVEN ACROSS THE 43 COUNTY AREA THAT THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO SERVES. IN TOTAL, OVER 4,000 PARTICIPANTS TOOK PART IN THESE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO CONTINUED TO PROVIDE FREE EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS FOR ADULTS, INCLUDING ITS FIRST "EFGC WELLNESS DAY". THIS PROGRAM GAVE PARTICIPANTS THE CHANCE HEAR PRESENTATIONS ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AS WELL AS RECEIVE A FLU SHOT FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF WALGREENS. PARENTLINK, AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY, RETURNED IN FY14 AND WAS WELL RECEIVED. IT MET THREE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO'S COMER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. EXPERIENCED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSIONALS FROM THE MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES FIELDS PRESENTED ON TOPICS SUCH AS IMPACTS OF MEDICATION ON LEARNING, ANCILLARY THERAPY, AND NEUROPSYCH TESTING. THE FOUNDATION ALSO CO-HOSTED "MOVING FORWARD: ADVANCES IN DIAGNOSITICS AND SURGICAL OPTIONS FOR EPILEPSY" WITH THE NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM'S NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE. THIS EVENT FOCUSED ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO STAYING IN AN EPILEPSY MONITORING UNIT, AS WELL AS NEW MINIMALLY INVASIVE LASER SURGERY TREATMENT. FIFTY PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THESE EVENTS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO CONTINUED TO USE BROAD PLATFORMS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT EPILEPSY. IN NOVEMBER 2013, IT HOSTED THE FOURTH ANNUAL EPILEPSY CONSUMER CONFERENCE NEAR DOWNTOWN CHICAGO. THIS FREE DAY-LONG SEMINAR FOCUSED ON A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS, INCLUDING NEW TREATMENT AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES, CO-MORBIDITY OF EPILEPSY, TRANSITIONS FROM PEDIATRIC TO ADULT CLINICAL CARE, AND MORE. THE CONFERENCE, ENTITLED "EPILEPSY IN OUR DAILY LIVES: KNOWLEDGE IS KEY," IS GEARED TOWARD PROVIDING INDIVIDUALS WITH EPILEPSY, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE GENERAL COMMUNITY WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT EPILEPSY. IT ALSO INCLUDES "ASK THE DOC" SESSIONS, WHICH GAVE PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ONE-ON-ONE WITH RENOWNED NEUROLOGISTS ON ISSUES REGARDING THEIR HEALTH. A RECORD BREAKING 248 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED THIS YEAR'S EPILEPSY CONSUMER CONFERENCE. THROUGHOUT FY2014, THE FOUNDATION SOUGHT TO EDUCATE THE GENERAL COMMUNITY THROUGH VARIOUS PUBLICITY OUTLETS, INCLUDING, ONLINE, TELEVISION, AND SOCIAL MEDIA. IN ITS FIRST FULL YEAR OF EXISTENCE, "ECONNECTIONS," A QUARTERLY ENEWSLETTER, WAS SUCCESSFULLY SENT OUT FOUR TIMES TO THE FOUNDATION'S ENTIRE EMAIL DATABASE. ON AVERAGE, EACH EBLAST WAS SENT TO ABOUT 12,000 PEOPLE. "ECONNECTIONS" COVERS A VARIETY OF TOPICS SURROUNDING THE FOUNDATION AND THE EPILEPSY COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. DOZENS OF EBLASTS PROMOTING A SPECIFIC ISSUE, PROGRAM, OR EVENT WERE ALSO SENT TO THE TARGETED AUDIENCES. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION ALSO UTILIZED POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS TO INCREASE ITS ONLINE PRESENCE. ITS FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE, AND PINTEREST PAGES CONTINUED TO GAIN POPULARITY THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR. POSTS REGARDING THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT EPILEPSY, HOW IT IMPACTS THE PUBLIC, AS WELL AS THE FOUNDATION'S ACTIVITIES, ARE UPDATED ON A DAILY BASIS. IN NOVEMBER 2014 FOR EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH, THE FOUNDATION TOOK TO THE CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT EPILEPSY. AN ADVERTISEMENT WITH THE TAG LINE "EPILEPSY IS MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK. TREAT EVERY BRAIN THE SAME" WAS DISTRIBUTED ON T
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.