Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
| (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 listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
| Total | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2010 | (b) 2011 | (c) 2012 | (d) 2013 | (e) 2014 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .... | 5,814,335 | 4,471,922 | 4,647,158 | 5,958,052 | 5,940,838 | 26,832,305 |
| 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 | 5,814,335 | 4,471,922 | 4,647,158 | 5,958,052 | 5,940,838 | 26,832,305 |
| 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. | 26,832,305 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2010 | (b) 2011 | (c) 2012 | (d) 2013 | (e) 2014 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 5,814,335 | 4,471,922 | 4,647,158 | 5,958,052 | 5,940,838 | 26,832,305 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 1,419 | 2,402 | 730 | 649 | 644 | 5,844 |
| 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 VI.).. | 2,334 | 1,331 | 9,276 | 4,142 | 5,533 | 22,616 |
| 11 | Total support Add lines 7 through 10. | 26,860,765 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2010 | (b) 2011 | (c) 2012 | (d) 2013 | (e) 2014 | (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.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2010 | (b) 2011 | (c) 2012 | (d) 2013 | (e) 2014 | (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 VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e | Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): | |||||
| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by .035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Check here if the current year is the organization's first as a non-functionally-integrated Type III supporting organization (see instructions) | |||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | ||
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
||
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | ||
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | ||
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required) | ||
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | ||
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | ||
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
||
| 9 Distributable amount for 2014 from Section C, line 6 | ||
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | ||
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2014 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2014 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
Distributable amount for 2014 from Section C, line 6 |
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2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2014 (reasonable cause required--see instructions) |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2014: | ||||
| a From 2009.......X | ||||
| b From 2010.......X | ||||
| c From 2011.......X | ||||
| d From 2012.......X | ||||
| e From 2013....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2014 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2009 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2014 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2014 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2014, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2014. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2015. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a From 2010.......X | ||||
| b From 2011.......X | ||||
| c From 2012.......X | ||||
| d From 2013....... | ||||
| e From 2014....... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 | THE BOARD RETAINS THE SERVICES OF AN INDEPENDENT CPA FIRM TO PREPARE AND REVIEW THE ORGANIZATION'S 990 RETURN. MANAGEMENT REVIEWS THE FORM AND THEN PRESENTS IT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR THEIR REVIEW. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE FORM 990 WITH THE CPA FIRM AND THEN APPROVES THE FORM. MANAGEMENT THEN PROVIDES A FULL COPY TO ALL VOTING MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY FOR A PERIOD OF COMMENT AND QUESTIONS. AT THE END OF THE PERIOD, MANAGEMENT FILES THE FORM 990 WITH ALL THE APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND KEY EMPLOYEES ANNUALLY COMPLETE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AS A PRECURSOR TO THEIR SERVICE TO THE ORGANIZATION. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS ARE LOGGED WITH AND MONITORED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A | THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS SETS THE COMPENSATION OF THE PRESIDENT AND CEO ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EVALUATES THE PRESIDENT/CEO'S PERFORMANCE AND KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND OUTCOMES ACHIEVED. THE COMMITTEE ALSO COLLECTS DATA AND INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL SURVEYS AND OTHER ACCEPTED SOURCES, WHICH THEN GUIDES ITS COMPENSATION RECOMMENDATION. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESENTS THE RESULTS OF ITS PERFORMANCE REVIEW AS WELL AS ITS RESEARCH OF COMPENSATION DATA AND MAKES A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION. THE FULL BOARD THEN VOTES ON THE ISSUE. THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF OTHER OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES IS ALSO CONSIDERED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, ALTHOUGH IT IS DEPENDENT UPON THE FINANCIAL STANDING OF THE ORGANIZATION. SOME YEARS, THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOT BEEN IN A POSITION TO GIVE A MERIT-BASED INCREASE, A COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT, OR EVEN A ONE-TIME BONUS. FROM TIME-TO-TIME, THE ORGANIZATION MAY MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IF ITS SALARY SCALES ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE PREVAILING TRENDS, AFTER REVIEWING COMPARABLE DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION. FOR ATTORNEYS, THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION HAS DEVELOPED A COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND GAME-PLAN TO BRING THE SALARIES OF PUBLIC INTEREST ATTORNEYS EMPLOYED BY PRIVATE, NONPROFIT LEGAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS INTO LINE WITH STATE AGENCY ATTORNEYS - BUT IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PLAN HAS BEEN DETERRED BY THE DRAMATIC DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY. IN RECENT YEARS, EQUIP FOR EQUALITY HAS NOT PROVIDED ITS ATTORNEYS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES WITH WELL-DESERVED INCREASES IN THEIR COMPENSATION CONSISTENT WITH THEIR PERFORMANCE DUE TO THIS SITUATION. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, AS IS ITS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, UPON REQUEST. |
| FORM 990. PART XII, LINE 2C. | THE AUDIT OVERSIGHT PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. |
| PART III: DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM SERVICES | AS THE PRIVATE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR IN 1985 TO ADMINISTER THE FEDERALLY-MANDATED PROTECTION & ADVOCACY SYSTEM (P&A) FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, EQUIP FOR EQUALITY HAS STATUTORY POWERS AND RECEIVES FUNDS FROM SEVEN DISTINCT FEDERAL P&A PROGRAMS. THE THREE LARGEST PROGRAMS PROVIDE BASE FUNDING TO SAFEGUARD THE RIGHTS OF: (1) INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (PADD), (2) PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS (PAIMI), AND (3) ALL OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY AS DEFINED BY THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (PAIR), RESPECTIVELY. AS THE INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION EMPOWERED BY CONGRESS TO SAFEGUARD AND ADVANCE THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH ALL TYPES OF DISABILITIES, EQUIP FOR EQUALITY RELIES ON FEDERAL PADD, PAIMI, AND PAIR AND OTHER P&A FUNDS AS A FOUNDATION FOR ITS ROLE AS THE STATE'S LEADING CROSS-DISABILITY ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION. FURTHERMORE, ITS DESIGNATION AS THE P&A SYSTEM FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CARRIES WITH IT BROAD FEDERAL STATUTORY POWERS ESSENTIAL TO PERFORMING ITS PRIMARY ROLES AS A LEGAL ADVOCATE AND INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG. LEGAL POWERS INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO ENTER, UNANNOUNCED, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND DAY PROGRAMS, SCHOOLS, UNLICENSED BOARD-AND-CARE FACILITIES, AND OTHER SETTINGS THAT PROVIDE CARE OR TREATMENT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; TO TALK WITH INDIVIDUALS SERVED AND STAFF; AND TO ACCESS FACILITY AND INDIVIDUAL CLINICAL RECORDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE P&A LAWS. P&A AUTHORITY INCLUDES THE RIGHT TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND DEATHS AND TO EXAMINE ALL RECORDS OF INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY FACILITIES OR THE STATE. THIS AUTHORITY ENSURES THAT PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, AND OTHER P&A PROGRAMS CAN REACH OUT TO UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ISOLATED IN SEGREGATED SETTINGS AND UNABLE TO CALL FOR HELP. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES QUALIFY FOR PAIR, WHICH REPRESENTS UNDER 20% OF THE FEDERAL P&A FUNDS RECEIVED BY EQUIP FOR EQUALITY. THIS MEANS THAT WE NEED TO RAISE SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS FROM PRIVATE AND OTHER PUBLIC SOURCES TO ENSURE A FAIR AND EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF LIMITED LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES AND TO PERFORM OTHER CRITICAL P&A RESPONSIBILITIES. A LEGAL NEEDS RESEARCH STUDY CONDUCTED IN ILLINOIS FOUND THAT WHEN A LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD INCLUDES A MEMBER WITH A DISABILITY, THEIR LEGAL NEEDS INCREASE FROM 49% TO 74% DURING A ONE-YEAR PERIOD. INTERESTINGLY, THE HIGHEST LEGAL NEED AMONG LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WAS FOR REPRESENTATION ON EDUCATION ISSUES (50% OF THESE FAMILIES NEEDED ASSISTANCE WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION), WHERE 92% OF SUCH NEEDS WENT UNMET ANNUALLY. AS THE LEGAL NEEDS STUDY DEMONSTRATES, EQUIP FOR EQUALITY DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THE LEGAL NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE MET. TWO YEARS AGO, WE LAUNCHED THE EQUALITY FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, LAW FIRMS, AND BUSINESSES. THESE NEW FUNDS ASSISTED US IN OUR LAUNCHING OF A NEW SPECIAL EDUCATION CLINIC TO PROVIDE CRITICAL SELF-HELP LEGAL ADVICE AND STRATEGIES AS WELL AS REPRESENTATION AT SCHOOL MEETINGS AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS. TO SUPPORT THE DOCUMENTED NEED FOR LEGAL SERVICES FOR STUDENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, EQUIP FOR EQUALITY ESTABLISHED A NEW PRO BONO INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHICAGO'S LEADING LAW FIRMS. THESE VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS, ALONG WITH OUR IN-HOUSE ATTORNEYS, HAVE GREATLY EXPANDED OUR CAPACITY TO ADDRESS EDUCATION-RELATED LEGAL NEEDS IN AN EFFECTIVE AND COST-EFFICIENT MANNER. HOWEVER, BECAUSE FEDERAL P&A FUNDS REMAIN FAR SMALLER THAN THE UNMET LEGAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, FUND DIVERSIFICATION AND EXPANSION ARE THE BOARD'S AND CEO'S HIGHEST PRIORITY. IN ADDITION TO THE THREE LARGEST P&A PROGRAMS, EQUIP FOR EQUALITY ALSO ADMINISTERS SIMILAR PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC POPULATIONS OR TO ADDRESS CRITICAL ISSUES FACING THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY, AS FOLLOWS: (1) INDIVIDUALS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (PATBI), (2) PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES (PAAT), (3) RECIPIENTS OF SOCIAL SECURITY SSI/DI BENEFITS WHOSE EFFORTS TO SECURE OR MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT ARE AT RISK DUE TO DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION OR OTHER BARRIERS (PABSS), (4) INDEPENDENT MONITORING FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OF FACILITIES WHERE AN AGENCY IS BOTH THE EMPLOYER AND CONTROLS THE INDIVIDUALS PERSONAL FUNDS (REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE) TO ENSURE THEY ARE SAFE AND NOT BEING FINANCIALLY EXPLOITED, AND (5) ADVOCACY WITH LOCAL AND STATE ELECTION BOARDS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE THAT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL PROCESS ARE ACCESSIBLE (PAVA). IN RECENT YEARS, EQUIP FOR EQUALITY HAS GREATLY DIVERSIFIED AND EXPANDED ITS FUNDING BASE AS IT HAS PURSUED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, LAW FIRMS, AND BUSINESSES. THESE FUNDS, ALONG WITH GRANTS PROVIDED BY LEADING PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, HAVE ENABLED THE ORGANIZATION TO MAINTAIN ITS EXCELLENT TEAM OF STAFF AND EXPAND THE REACH AND SCOPE OF ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, DESPITE DIRE FINANCIAL TIMES. THE ORGANIZATION'S REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN PROGRAM QUALITY AND ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS HAS BEEN CRITICAL IN ITS SUCCESS. TODAY, OVER 77% OF EACH DOLLAR RAISED SUPPORTS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. |
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