About
Easterseals is a national nonprofit, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, providing expert caregiving and support services across disabilities and stages of life, helping individuals and families across the United States live more independently. Through a network of local affiliates in nearly every state, Easterseals serves children and adults with disabilities, caregivers, older adults, veterans, and their families.
Mission
Easterseals makes a lasting difference each year by providing essential services to children and adults with disabilities, caregivers, older adults, veterans, and their families. It serves people with various disabilities — as well as veterans and aging adults with and without disabilities — with services customized to local community needs.
What they do
- Employment: helping people find and keep jobs through job training, resume building, and interview practice for aging youth, adults, and veterans.
- Health: in-home care, physical therapy, speech therapy, caregiving and mental health support, plus access to assistive technology for daily tasks.
- Education: educational programs and support for children and adults, including autism services and early childhood education.
- Community: transportation support, camp and recreational activities, social groups in adult day settings, early childhood care, and respite services that support parents and caregivers.
History
Easterseals was founded in 1919 as the National Society for Crippled Children by Edgar Allen, an Ohio businessman, after his son died in a streetcar accident and inadequate medical services motivated him to act. In spring 1934 the organization launched its first Easter "seals" fundraising campaign, with the inaugural seal designed by cartoonist J.H. Donahey; the campaign was so successful that the organization formally adopted the name Easter Seals in 1967. In 1952 the lily was adopted as its logo, symbolizing new life. Easterseals played a pivotal role advocating for the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, and rebranded as "Easterseals" in 2019 as it celebrated 100 years of impact.
Scale and impact
Each year, Easterseals services reach 1.5 million people nationwide. The network comprises 70 affiliates with a presence in just about every state, supported by more than 32,000 staff members and 35,000 volunteers. As the national office, Easterseals Inc distributes funds to affiliates across the U.S.
Financials
Easterseals is funded by donors and partners along with insurance recoveries, government agencies, and fee-for-service revenue, and states that it exceeds all of the Standards for Charity Accountability set by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. According to ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Easter Seals Inc (EIN 36-2171729), the national office, is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt since August 1944; for fiscal year 2025 it reported revenue of $47.5 million, expenses of $47.7 million, and net assets of $33.5 million, with contributions of $39,482,526 representing about 83% of revenue.
Governance
The national office in Chicago is led by President and CEO Kendra Davenport (per ProPublica) and governed by a Board of Directors, while local affiliates deliver services tailored to each community.