Individual Advocacy Group Inc

The information for Individual Advocacy Group Inc is as of the organization's most recent filing in June '22. This organization is located in Romeoville, IL. It has been in existence for 26 years, following its founding in 1996.

Organization Classification

The IRS classifies organizations according to the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system. The NTEE system helps the IRS assign a 3-character code to each organization to describe the organization's activities.

The Individual Advocacy Group Inc's NTEE code is R99. The "R" tells us that the organization is classified along with Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy. The "99" tells us that the organization's specific classification is Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy N.E.C. The NTEE describes this classification as organizations that provide civil rights, social action, or advocacy services where the major purpose is unclear enough that a more specific code cannot be accurately assigned.

Every organization is also governed by a specific section of the Internal Revenue Code. The most common type is a 501(c)(3) organization. However, there are actually 29 different types of organizations that are identified by the Internal Revenue Code. This organization happens to be a 501(c)(3) organization. The IRS describes these organizations as those engaged in Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Public Safety, Amateur Sports, or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals work.

Perhaps the most accurate way to get a sense of what the organization hopes to achieve is by looking at its mission. The mission of the Individual Advocacy Group Inc is to aid and provide specialized services to both children and adults with disabilities.

Program Areas

Program Area 1: The Department of Human Services (DHS) Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) program serves individuals with developmental disabilities on a 24 hour a day or 15 hour a week intermittent basis as determined by need. This program served over 200 individuals in the CILA program, with a total of 220 clients served. Within the general fund, the organization reports all revenues, support, and functional expenses that are not specifically reported by another fund or program.

Program Area 2: The Individual Support Option (ISO) is a Medicaid waiver program administered by the Department of Disability Services (DDS) in Washington, D.C. The ISO requires that all participating individuals meet waiver intellectual disability/developmental eligibility requirements, reside in general community housing, single-family homes or apartments, and have no more than three people residing at a residential site. The program also includes day habilitation and vocational supports, behavioral/mental health therapies, and, as needed, skilled nursing services. In total, the program has served 33 clients.

Program Area 3: The Department of Human Services Short Term Stabilization Homes (SSH) provides comprehensive clinical interventions, person-centered, holistic care, and positive and sustainable behavioral interventions to stabilize individuals referred to the program within 30 to 90 days with a successful return to community placement. This program serves 10 clients.

Program Area 4: The day program and subcontract day program are developmental training programs that assist individuals with developmental and other disabilities in acquiring interpersonal skills for community participation through work training and community activity programs. The day program also provides services to the majority of the organization's 224 CILA individuals. Additionally, the Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICFIID) Developmental Training program is part of a 24-hour Medicaid entitlement program for children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who meet eligibility requirements. The program offers training and support in various areas based on individual needs and interests, including self-care, professional hygiene, community activities, and internet learning programs. Furthermore, the organization provides case coordination for individuals who choose to stay at home through the DHS Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver Program, as well as support and services through the Host Family Program. Therapy and behavioral services are also provided by licensed professionals for individuals with mental illness, post-trauma disorders, severe and persistent behavioral disorders, and individuals in the CILA program. Additionally, the organization supports individuals and their families in the Home Based Services Program, assisting them in acquiring necessary personal equipment. Lastly, the organization offers short-term stabilization residential services for adults with an intellectual or developmental disability who are experiencing active behavioral conditions through the Short Term Stabilization Homes Program.

Organization Staffing

Individual Advocacy Group Inc is run by Dr. Charlene Bennett, who serves as the CEO/Executive Director. The organization has 908 employees, with only 6 employees being paid over $100k per year. Additionally, there are 9 volunteers who support the work of the organization.

Board Governance

The Individual Advocacy Group Inc demonstrates strong governance practices based on the information provided. The organization has a total of 7 voting members, all of whom are independent, indicating a balanced and diverse board composition. This ensures that decisions are made in the best interest of the organization and its mission, without any undue influence or conflicts of interest. The presence of a conflict of interest policy further highlights the organization's commitment to transparency and ethical conduct. By requiring disclosure of potential conflicts, the organization promotes accountability and ensures that board members act in the best interest of the organization. Additionally, the organization's commitment to documenting both board and committee meetings indicates a commitment to transparency and accountability in decision-making processes. Furthermore, the presence of a whistleblower policy and document retention policy suggests that the Individual Advocacy Group Inc values accountability and the protection of its stakeholders. These policies provide mechanisms for reporting any misconduct or unethical behavior, while also ensuring that important organizational documents are appropriately stored and retained. The organization's practice of substantiating and reviewing leadership and officer salaries, as well as providing copies of the 990 to the board prior to filing, further demonstrates a commitment to financial transparency and responsible governance. These practices help to ensure that compensation is reasonable and aligned with the organization's mission, while also providing the board with the necessary information to fulfill their fiduciary duties. Overall, based on the information provided, the Individual Advocacy Group Inc appears to be well-governed, with policies and practices in place to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.

Organization Growth

The nonprofit organization, Individual Advocacy Group Inc, has experienced significant growth over the given time period. Contributions & Grants Received increased from $69.7K in 2014 to $293.7K in 2021. Program Service Revenue also saw a significant increase, rising from $25.1M in 2014 to $44.9M in 2021. Investment Income grew from $471 in 2014 to $59.1K in 2021. Total Revenue increased from $25.2M in 2014 to $45.3M in 2021. Additionally, Employee Salaries rose from $18.5M in 2014 to $29.8M in 2021. Total Expenses also increased from $24.5M in 2014 to $42.3M in 2021. The organization's workforce expanded as well, with Total Employees growing from 752 in 2014 to 908 in 2021. Overall, the nonprofit organization has shown significant growth across various financial and operational indicators over the given time period.