Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (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 |
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Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 2,826,916 | 2,442,587 | 2,443,671 | 2,901,616 | 2,232,686 | 12,847,476 |
| 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 | 2,826,916 | 2,442,587 | 2,443,671 | 2,901,616 | 2,232,686 | 12,847,476 |
| 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).. | 245,653 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 12,601,823 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 2,826,916 | 2,442,587 | 2,443,671 | 2,901,616 | 2,232,686 | 12,847,476 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 497 | 10,525 | 47,821 | 32,222 | 28,791 | 119,856 |
| 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.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 12,967,332 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (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) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (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) |
||||
| 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 0.015 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 0.035 | 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 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2020 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2020 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2020 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2020 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2019 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2020: | ||||
| a From 2015....... | ||||
| b From 2016....... | ||||
| c From 2017....... | ||||
| d From 2018....... | ||||
| e From 2019....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2020 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2015 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2020 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2020 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2020, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2020. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2021. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2016..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A: | CLIENT/PATIENT SERVICES: THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S COUNSELING AND CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES PEOPLE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY ACCESS TO SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE THAT WILL ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY TO COPE WITH ISSUES RELATED TO THEIR MEDICAL CONDITION AND IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. THE INDIVIDUAL CLINICAL SERVICES OFFERED ARE STRUCTURED TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC ISSUES FACED BY PEOPLE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY AND TO FACILITATE APPROPRIATE LINKAGE TO NECESSARY SERVICES AND BENEFITS. BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, CLIENTS CAN DEVELOP THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO HANDLE COMMON CHALLENGES SUCH AS ISOLATION, MEDICATION COMPLIANCE, NAVIGATING PUBLIC BENEFITS, DIFFICULTIES WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND EMPLOYEE DISCRIMINATION. THROUGH SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING, CASE MANAGERS ARE ABLE TO REACH OUT AND ASSURE ANYONE STRUGGLING WITH EPILEPSY IN THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S 44 COUNTY SERVICE AREA THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE. IN FY2021, THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM SERVED 511 INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS, PROVIDED ASSISTANCE ON 4,650 OCCASIONS AT THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S DOWNTOWN OFFICE, OVER THE PHONE AND THROUGH ONLINE COMMUNICATION, AS WELL AS LOCATIONS THAT WERE MORE ACCESSIBLE, SUCH AS THEIR HOMES. MOST CLIENTS NEEDED ASSISTANCE WITH OBTAINING ACCURATE INFORMATION ON EPILEPSY, EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT, REFERRAL AND ENTITLEMENT ASSISTANCE, AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S CASE MANAGERS ALSO ADVOCATED ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS ON HUNDREDS OF OCCASIONS, DEALING WITH EMPLOYMENT, DISCRIMINATION, BENEFITS AND MEDICAL MATTERS. EACH INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY SEEKING CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FROM THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO MEETS WITH A QUALIFIED AND TRAINED CASE MANAGER WHO COMPLETES A SOCIAL HISTORY, MEDICAL HISTORY, INDIVIDUAL CARE PLAN AND SERVICE PLAN WITH THE CLIENT. THE CLIENT RECEIVES COPIES OF GOALS AND COPIES ARE KEPT IN THE CLIENT FILE MAINTAINED AT THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO. EACH CLIENT ALSO RECEIVES A CLIENT HANDBOOK AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE ADA/AA. CLIENT FILES ARE KEPT AS PAPER FILE COPY, AS WELL AS ELECTRONIC COPY IN A SECURE, CLOUD-BASED DATABASE CALLED SALESFORCE. EPILEPSY CREATES UNIQUE DIFFICULTIES IN PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT. WHILE EPILEPSY CAN CREATE DIFFICULTIES IN MEMORY RECALL AND ORGANIZATION, THE AVERAGE TIME TO LOCATE SPECIALIZED CARE CAN RANGE FROM TWO TO TEN YEARS. THE SOCIAL/MEDICAL HISTORY PROVIDES THE CLIENT A VISUAL TIMELINE TO BUILD A TREATMENT PLAN THAT HELPS TO ORGANIZE HIS/HER HISTORY, PROVIDES DOCUMENTATION TO THE SPECIALTY CARE PROVIDER AND ASSISTS THE CLIENT WITH GOALS THAT ARE SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ATTAINABLE, REALISTIC AND TIME-BASED. AT THE FIRST VISIT AND THEN ANNUALLY, A SERVICE PLAN, INDIVIDUAL CARE PLAN, LIST OF CURRENT MEDICATIONS, CURRENT CLIENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION AND EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION AS WELL AS AN EMERGENCY SEIZURE ACTION PLAN ARE CREATED OR REVIEWED. THE CLIENT IS ALSO OFFERED A FREE EMERGENCY ID NECKLACE/BRACELET TO ALERT FIRST RESPONDERS OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS AND THEIR DESIRED OUTCOME OF EMERGENCY TREATMENT. THE CLIENT SERVICES TEAM MEETS WEEKLY TO REVIEW SERVICE PLANS, STAFF NEW/OPEN CLIENTS, REVIEW SERVICE PLAN UPDATES, PROBLEM SOLVE, OFFER SOLUTIONS AND FIND APPROPRIATE SUPPORTS TO ASSIST CLIENTS IN MEETING SERVICE PLANNING GOALS. TEAM MEMBERS SIGN OFF AS SUPPORT ON CLIENT SERVICE PLANS. DURING EVERY INDIVIDUAL CLIENT MEETING, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ARE REVIEWED WITH THE CLIENT. CASE MANAGERS ASSIST WITH SERVICE REQUESTS AND OFFER SUPPORT ACCORDINGLY. DURING ANNUAL REVIEWS, SERVICE PLANS AND ALL CLIENT CONTACT INFORMATION ARE UPDATED TO REFLECT NEW DESIRED GOALS OR TO DETERMINE IF SERVICES ARE NO LONGER NEEDED BASED ON GOAL ATTAINMENT. MANAGING THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY AND THEIR FAMILIES IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CASE MANAGEMENT AND COUNSELING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO. DURING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEETING SESSION, EFGC CASE MANAGERS TAKE THE TIME TO ASSESS THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE CLIENT. WHEN DETERMINED APPROPRIATE, ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED WITH AREAS SUCH AS: FINDING EMPLOYMENT, GAINING BASIC FINANCIAL LITERACY, NAVIGATING DISABILITY LEGAL HURDLES, AND OBTAINING PUBLIC AID BENEFITS SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY, SNAP (FOOD STAMPS) AND TANF (TEMPORARY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN). BY PROVIDING EACH CLIENT WITH PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE, WHILE WORKING WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC PROGRESS AND NASH DISABILITY LAW, EFGC CASE MANAGERS AND THE CLIENT SERVICES TEAM ARE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF EACH AND EVERY CLIENT. ASSISTING CLIENTS WITH CONDITION SPECIFIC CHALLENGES IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR EFGC AND PROGRAMS ARE HOSTED TO HELP WITH THESE UNIQUE CHALLENGES. ONE OF THESE PROGRAMS IS HOBSCOTCH WHICH IS AN 8-WEEK PROGRAM THAT WORKS TO IMPROVE THE MEMORY OF THOSE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY. OVER HALF OF PEOPLE WITH SEIZURES EXPERIENCE MEMORY PROBLEMS AND FEEL THAT SEIZURES INTERFERE WITH MEMORY. THE HOBSCOTCH PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP FIND WAYS TO MANAGE AND COPE WITH MEMORY PROBLEMS IN ORDER TO LEAD A HAPPIER, MORE PRODUCTIVE LIFE. THE PROGRAM USES PROBLEM SOLVING TREATMENT AND MEMORY STRATEGIES WHICH WILL HELP IDENTIFY MEMORY-RELATED PROBLEMS IN DAILY LIFE AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO MANAGE THESE PROBLEMS. IN FY21, 24 CLIENTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THIS PROGRAM. IN FY2021, THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO CONTINUED EXPANSION OF EXISTING SERVICES THROUGH THE NEWLY FORMED CLINICAL DEPARTMENT. THIS DEPARTMENT ACTS AS AN EXTENSION OF CASE MANAGEMENT, FOCUSING PRIMARILY ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THOSE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY. THROUGH THE NEWLY FORMED PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP AND 1 ON 1 COUNSELING, CLIENTS ARE GETTING ADDITIONAL ATTENTION FOR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE REQUESTS. THIS PROGRAM CURRENTLY EMPLOYS ONE FULL TIME CLINICAL DIRECTOR AS WELL AS TWO FULL TIME CLINICIANS, PROVIDING COUNSELING IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. THIS PROGRAM ALSO COLLABORATES WITH THE ADLER SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND THE LOYOLA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK AND WILL BE IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF EFGC AND THE WELLNESS OF OUR CLIENTS' MENTAL HEALTH. IN FY21 THIS PROGRAM SERVED 71 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH 1 ON 1 OR GROUP MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO ALSO MAINTAINS A CLIENT EMERGENCY FUND, WHICH CAN BE USED TO TEMPORARILY PROVIDE NEEDED MEDICATION, HOUSING, CLOTHING AND UTILITIES WHILE A PERMANENT SOLUTION IS WORKED OUT. EACH YEAR, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS ALSO PROVIDED FOR STUDENTS LIVING WITH EPILEPSY. IN FY21 THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WERE EXPANDED AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AWARDS WAS INCREASED FROM FOUR TO TEN RECIPIENTS. THE JAMES DAVIES SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED ANNUALLY IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000 TO INDIVIDUALS WITH EPILEPSY WHO ARE OR WILL BE ATTENDING COLLEGE OR VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND WILL BE A FULL-TIME STUDENT FOR THE UPCOMING ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR. THIS YEAR, TEN STUDENTS RECEIVED THIS SCHOLARSHIP, WHICH WAS CREATED IN HONOR OF JAMES DAVIES, A LONG-TIME ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY WHO WORKED FOR THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO FOR OVER 30 YEARS. IN FY20 THIS SCHOLARSHIP WAS INCREASED FROM $1,000 TO $5,000 PER RECIPIENT TO DECREASE THE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP OF COLLEGE FOR THOSE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY. EACH OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT SERVICES TEAM IS OFFERED IN AN EFFORT TO HELP PEOPLE LIVE BETTER WHILE DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS OF EPILEPSY. BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PROGRAMS, COUNSELING SERVICES, AND ASSISTANCE, CLIENTS OF EFGC ARE ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES AND BETTER MANAGE THEIR DAY TO DAY. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B: | COMMUNITY SERVICES: BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO CREATE FRIENDSHIPS, SHARE STORIES, AND LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER IS AN IMPORTANT GOAL OF THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO. SOCIAL EVENTS SUCH AS THE BLACKHAWK FAMILY RETREAT ARE IDEAL WAYS OF MAKING THIS HAPPEN. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO ALSO HOSTS ITS ANNUAL PICNIC IN THE PARK, AN AFTERNOON OF FUN, FOOD AND GAMES IN AUGUST OF EACH YEAR. IN ADDITION, EFGC HOSTS A HOLIDAY PARTY AT A PARK DISTRICT BUILDING WITHIN THE CITY OF CHICAGO EACH YEAR. THIS EVENT INCLUDES GAMES, LUNCH, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND CONNECT WITH OTHER FAMILIES LIVING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF EPILEPSY. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC NEITHER THE PICNIC NOR THE HOLIDAY PARTY TOOK PLACE IN FY21. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO UNDERSTANDS THE VALUE OF CREATIVITY AS A MEDIUM TO EXPRESS ONE'S FEELINGS. STUDIO E OFFERS CLIENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE FINE ARTS IN A GROUP CLASS SETTING LED BY A PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR. PAST STUDIO E SESSIONS HAVE INCLUDED ART, MUSIC, DANCE, AND YOGA. DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EFFORTS WERE MADE TO BRING THESE PROGRAMS ONLINE TO A VIRTUAL SETTING. HOWEVER, DUE TO FEEDBACK FROM ATTENDEES AS WELL AS ATTENDANCE TRENDS, THIS PROGRAM WAS HALTED UNTIL IN-PERSON CLASSES COULD RESUME. THE CAMP BLACKHAWK FAMILY RETREAT INTRODUCES FAMILIES TO OUR CAMP BLACKHAWK PROGRAM BY OFFERING A GLIMPSE OF CAMP OVER A WEEKEND. THIS FREE EVENT WAS CREATED FOR FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE NOT ATTENDED CAMP BLACKHAWK AND WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT IT OFFERS. PARENTS AND THEIR KIDS GET TO ENJOY ALL THE FUN ACTIVITIES OF CAMP BLACKHAWK, WHILE CREATING A SENSE OF EASE AND EXCITEMENT ABOUT WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR THE NEXT SUMMER. SIBLINGS OF KIDS WITH EPILEPSY ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN SIB-SHOP BREAKOUT SESSION WHERE THEY CAN SHARE WITH OTHER SIBLINGS THEIR EXPERIENCES OF LIVING WITH A BROTHER OR SISTER THAT HAS SEIZURES. WHILE THE KIDS ARE ENJOYING CAMP ACTIVITIES, PARENTS RECEIVE EDUCATION ON EPILEPSY RELATED MATTERS. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE CAMP BLACKHAWK FAMILY RETREAT WAS CANCELLED IN FY21. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO IS EXTREMELY ATTENTIVE TO THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND TEENS LIVING WITH EPILEPSY AND PROVIDES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR KIDS. THE PARTICIPANTS ARE DIVERSE, NOT ONLY IN AGE, BUT IN THE LEVELS TO WHICH EPILEPSY IMPACTS THEIR LIVES. IT IS THE GOAL OF THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO TO HELP KIDS UNDERSTAND THEIR CONDITION, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE WHO SHARE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, AS WELL AS BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE. THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR, THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S KIDS AND TEENS GROUP HOSTS A WIDE VARIETY OF EVENTS FOR ITS PARTICIPANTS, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE KIDS AND TEENAGERS LIVING WITH EPILEPSY THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOCIALIZE AMONG PEERS WHO CAN PERSONALLY UNDERSTAND THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. PARTICIPANTS TRADITIONALLY EMBARK ON VARIOUS EXCURSIONS INCLUDING CHICAGO WOLVES HOCKEY GAMES, CHICAGO WHITE SOX GAMES, AND TRIPS TO A PUMPKIN FARM, INDOOR AMUSEMENT CENTERS, AND A BOWLING OUTING. IN FY21, KIDS AND TEENS GROUP EVENTS WERE ADJUSTED TO BE HOSTED VIRTUALLY IN AN ONLINE SETTING. WHILE CHALLENGING, KIDS AND FAMILIES EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE PROGRAM AND ATTENDANCE REMAINED HIGH. THIS YEAR'S VIRTUAL PROGRAMS CONSISTED OF ACTIVITIES SUCH AS IMPROV ACTING SESSIONS, GROUP CRAFT ACTIVITIES, AND AN INSTRUCTIONAL MAGIC SHOW. IN FY21 EFGC HOSTED 7 VIRTUAL KIDS AND TEENS CLUB EVENTS, WELCOMING 76 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO ANNUALLY HOSTS THE HEROES SPORTS CAMP FOR CHILDREN LIVING WITH EPILEPSY AND THEIR SIBLINGS AND FRIENDS. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO PARTNERS WITH OTHER EPILEPSY-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE THIS THREE-DAY FREE CAMP. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, HEROES SPORTS CAMP WAS CANCELLED IN FY21. FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS, THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO HAS OFFERED OUR EVER-POPULAR CAMP BLACKHAWK SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN LIVING WITH SEIZURES. OVER THE COURSE OF TWO SESSIONS IN JULY AND AUGUST, APPROXIMATELY 120 PARTICIPANTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6-17 YEARS OLD TAKE PART IN THE ANNUAL FREE WEEK-LONG VENTURE TO CAMP BLACKHAWK AT CAMP RED LEAF IN INGLESIDE, IL. THE PARTICIPANTS TAKE PART IN TRADITIONAL CAMP ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FISHING, SWIMMING, AND ARTS AND CRAFTS, BUT ARE ALSO ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RED LEAF'S STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY AND SPEND AFTERNOONS ROCK-WALL-CLIMBING AND RIDING A 100-FOOT ZIP-LINE. ALL ACTIVITIES ARE PRACTICED IN A SAFE AND MEDICALLY MONITORED SETTING. FOR SOME, THIS IS THEIR FIRST TASTE OF INDEPENDENCE AWAY FROM THEIR PARENTS. WHILE THIS CAN BE EXCITING, IT MAY ALSO BE A LITTLE INTIMIDATING. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S CASE MANAGERS DEVELOP SOLID RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE CAMPERS AND THEIR PARENTS IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO CAMP BLACKHAWK (OR FROM PREVIOUS YEARS OF CAMP) THUS LEADING EVERYONE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WHEN THEIR WEEK-LONG TRIP BEGINS. ALONG WITH THE FACILITY'S FULLY TRAINED STAFF, THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S CASE MANAGERS' RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE YOUNG CLIENTS ONLY GROW STRONGER. AS ONE PARENT NOTED, "CAMP BLACKHAWK WAS AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR MY SON! THIS WAS HIS SECOND YEAR AND IT WAS JUST AS GREAT AS HIS FIRST, IF NOT MORE. THIS YEAR HE BLOSSOMED EVEN MORE AS HIS CONFIDENCE IN HIMSELF GREW AND HE MADE NEW FRIENDS." DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THIS PROGRAM WAS HOSTED VIRTUALLY IN FY21. EFGC WELCOMED 44 CAMPERS AND WORKED HARD TO CREATE AN EXPERIENCE THAT FELT AS "NORMAL" AS POSSIBLE FOR OUR CAMPERS. CAMPERS ENJOYED TRADITIONAL CAMP FAVORITES SUCH AS THE CAMPFIRE SONGS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, MAKING SMORES, AND THE ANNUAL TALENT SHOW. ALL REGISTRANTS WERE MAILED A PACKAGE CONTAINING ALL THE MATERIALS THAT WOULD BE NEEDED FOR A WEEK OF VIRTUAL CAMP FUN. CAMP BLACKHAWK COUNSELORS (ALL HAILING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE US) RETURNED TO LEAD THEIR CABINS THROUGH THE ONLINE, VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S SUPPORT GROUPS ARE A POPULAR RESOURCE FOR ITS CLIENTS AND PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE IMPACTED BY EPILEPSY. IN 2019 THE EFFICACY OF THESE SUPPORT GROUPS WAS RE-EXAMINED AND EFGC CHOSE TO DIRECT RESOURCES AND STAFF TO THOSE THAT HAD EFFECTIVE LEADERS AND WERE ALSO MEETING ON THE AGREED UPON MONTHLY TIMELINE. WITH 8 DIFFERENT GROUPS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH MEETING ON A REGULAR BASIS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE SUPPORT GROUP MEMBERS, SOME OF WHOM HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S PROGRAMS FOR SEVERAL YEARS, ARE ABLE TO ENJOY ONE ANOTHER'S COMPANY AND KNOWLEDGE, WHILE ENHANCING THEIR SOCIAL LIVES. EACH GROUP IS GEARED TOWARD ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF A SPECIFIC DEMOGRAPHIC, SUCH AS PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY, ADULTS AND TEENAGERS WITH EPILEPSY, AND SPANISH SPEAKING PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY. THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SUPPORT GROUPS MEET MONTHLY AND ALLOWS ITS MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO ISSUES FACING ITS PARTICIPANTS. ANOTHER SUPPORT GROUP, KNOWN AS LOOP GROUP, IS OUR LARGEST AND MOST WELL ATTENDED. PARTICIPANTS DISCUSS THE CHALLENGES THEY ENCOUNTER IN THEIR DAILY LIVES, PARTAKE IN ACTIVITIES THAT STIMULATE MEMORY, AND ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH AN ON-SITE CASE MANAGER IF NEEDED AFTER THE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ALL SUPPORT GROUPS HAVE BEEN HOSTED VIRTUALLY IN FY21. THIS HAS LED TO AN INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE, FREQUENCY OF EVENTS, AND HAS EVEN ALLOWED FOR THE EXPANSION OF NEW GROUPS. SUPPORT GROUPS WILL RETURN TO AN IN-PERSON FORMAT AS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ARE EASED AND GROUPS CAN SAFELY OPERATE IN PERSON. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO HAS ALSO CO-SPONSORED AN ADULT SUPPORT GROUP THAT MEETS AT STROGER HOSPITAL ONCE A MONTH AND IS OPEN TO THE HOSPITAL'S PATIENTS. THIS GROUP IS CONSISTENTLY WELL ATTENDED AS IT IS LED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH (ALTERNATING MONTHS). THIS GROUP PAUSED ACTIVITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BUT IS SET TO RESUME AS RESTRICTIONS ARE EASED AND GATHERINGS ARE ONCE AGAIN SAFE. NEUROLOGISTS FROM THE HOSPITAL ATTEND THE GROUP SO THAT THEY MAY BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY MEDICAL QUESTIONS THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE. THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS GROUP - THE FACT THAT IT IS OFFERED IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH AND THE ATTENDANCE OF THE RENOWNED NEUROLOGISTS WHO SERVE ON THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S MEDICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL - ARE GREAT RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE CURRENTLY BEING TREATED FOR EPILEPSY. THEIR AGES SPAN FROM 20 TO 80 YEARS OLD, BUT THEY ALL HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON: THEIR DESIRE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EPILEPSY AND THEIR EAGERNESS TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS WHO SHARE A COMMON STORY. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C: | PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION: THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S EDUCATION STAFF PROVIDES EPILEPSY EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS AND PROGRAMS AND PARTICIPATES IN HEALTH FAIRS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, 1 PART TIME EDUCATOR, 1 FULL TIME EMPLOYEE, AND 4 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE SEIZURE FIRST AID TRAININGS AND REPRESENT THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION AT NUMEROUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND HEALTH FAIRS. IN TOTAL, MORE THAN 5,000 PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THESE PRESENTATIONS AND PROGRAMS IN FISCAL YEAR 2021, WHICH COVERED A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS, AND CATERED TO THE SPECIFIC INTERESTS OF THE ATTENDEES. WHILE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IMPACTED MANY EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS, IT ALSO PRESENTED VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE WITH THE EPILEPSY COMMUNITY IN A VIRTUAL SETTING. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS VIRTUAL CAREGIVER SESSIONS AND VIRTUAL CHATS WITH AN EXPERT (HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS) HAVE EDUCATED AND ENGAGED WITH HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUALS IN FY21, BRINGING INFORMATIVE SESSIONS TO THEM IN THE COMFORT AND SAFETY OF THEIR OWN HOME. MANY EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS ARE POSTED TO EFGC'S YOUTUBE PAGE FOLLOWING THE LIVE PROGRAM, TO BE ACCESSED BY INDIVIDUALS AT THEIR CONVENIENCE. AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, EDUCATION EFFORTS TIED TO THE SEIZURE SMART SCHOOL ACT WERE GREATLY AFFECTED. THIS ACT REQUIRES ALL ILLINOIS PUBLIC SCHOOL STAFF TO TAKE PART IN SEIZURE FIRST AID TRAINING EACH SCHOOL YEAR. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO HAS TAKEN THE ROLE AS THE PRIMARY SOURCE FOR TRAINING IN THE GREATER CHICAGO AREA. HOWEVER, DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSURES AND VARIOUS RESTRICTIONS ON TRAININGS IN SCHOOLS, MANY OF THESE IN PERSON EFFORTS WERE PAUSED FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. AS SCHOOL COMMUNITIES CONTINUE TO OPEN AND LOCAL RESTRICTIONS ARE EASED, EFGC WILL AGAIN INITIATE BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL TRAININGS IN THESE SCHOOLS. ALONG WITH PRESENTATIONS GIVEN TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ON SEIZURE RECOGNITION AND FIRST AID, THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION'S EDUCATORS ALSO FOCUS ON EDUCATING SCHOOL PERSONNEL. THROUGH PRESENTATIONS SUCH AS "SEIZURE TRAINING FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL," "TAKE CHARGE OF THE STORM, AND "EPILEPSY 101," EFGC STAFF PROVIDED TRAINING TO MORE THAN 3,700 TEACHERS, STUDENTS (KINDERGARTEN THROUGH UNIVERSITY AGE) AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL AT 86 TOTAL SESSIONS. AS PART OF THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO'S HISPANIC OUTREACH PROGRAM, EFGC HOSTED THE FIFTH ANNUAL SPANISH CONSUMER CONFERENCE FROM AUGUST 7TH-13TH. AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY TITLED "COMO VIVIR CON EPILEPSIA" (HOW TO LIVE WITH EPILEPSY), WHICH WAS PRESENTED IN SPANISH AND FOCUSED ON EPILEPSY BASICS AND LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE. FOR THE SECOND YEAR THIS CONFERENCE WAS HOSTED VIRTUALLY DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS. NEARLY 100 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE SPANISH CONSUMER CONFERENCE. THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO ALSO USES BROAD PLATFORMS TO EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT EPILEPSY AND CURRENT ISSUES SURROUNDING THE DISORDER. IN NOVEMBER 2021, WE WILL HOST THE 11TH ANNUAL EPILEPSY CONSUMER CONFERENCE IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO. THIS FREE, DAY-LONG SEMINAR FOCUSES ON EPILEPSY AND ITS TREATMENTS FROM BOTH DOCTOR AND PATIENT PERSPECTIVES. IT ALSO OFFERS BREAKOUT SESSIONS THAT COVER TOPICS SUCH AS EPILEPSY BASICS, NEW TREATMENTS AND COPING WITH EPILEPSY. THE CONFERENCE WILL ONCE AGAIN BE GEARED TOWARD PROVIDING INDIVIDUALS WITH EPILEPSY, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE GENERAL COMMUNITY WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT EPILEPSY. AFTER A PAUSE OF THIS CONFERENCE IN 2020 DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, MORE THAN 300 PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE EPILEPSY CONSUMER CONFERENCE IN 2021. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | 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. |
| FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G | CONSULTANTS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 23,126. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 22,582. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 15,823. TOTAL EXPENSES 61,531. |
| FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 24E | EMERGENCY CLIENT NEEDS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 3,013. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 232. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 383. TOTAL EXPENSES 3,628. AWARDS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 1,179. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 91. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 150. TOTAL EXPENSES 1,420. EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 618. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 48. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 78. TOTAL EXPENSES 744. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: | THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM PREVIOUS YEARS |
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