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27555 DIEHL RD STE E
Warrenville IL 60555-3851
Warrenville IL | IRS ruling year: 1971 | EIN: 36-2698644
Organization Mission
TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO LIVE, LEARN, WORK AND PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY.
Great
This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Little Friends Inc. is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Little Friends Inc. has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2019, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
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Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 14/14 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 14/14 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 49.39% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 49.39% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 87.16% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 87.16% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Little Friends Inc.) or EIN (362698644) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Little Friends Inc. reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Staffing
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
FY21 represented the best year ever for Little Friends. The was able to host its signature fundraiser of the year in March 2020 a mere four days before COVID was announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Little Friends applied and received a PPP loan so no staff was furloughed or laid off during FY21. The agency successfully sold its old property that allowed for staff to move into newer facilities with better amenities that included state-of-the art technologies and enhanced transportation. Little Friends secured major grants from private foundations and the Cares Act that enabled the organization to overcome a funding "cliff" on behalf of individual donors that many nonprofit organizations experienced.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Little Friends was required by a shelter-in mandate from the state of Illinois to shut down its adult day services from March 2020 thru August 2020 and that negatively impacted program delivery in those key areas. The agency's respite family services program had to close over a four-month period and now has returned to being fully operational. Upon reopening its doors, the respite program has experienced a significant amount of interest by families seeking to use its resources and allow themselves a break. Students enrolled in Krejci Academy and the Mansion High School as part of the Educational Services programs had to transition from in-person instruction to remote delivery model. All adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who live in our homes were required to quarantine for the first eight months and that placed increased strain on program staff to provide 24/7 care while balancing their own health needs.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
The agency's Center for Autism adopted a strategy of engagement with clients using Telehealth to maintain connectivity with families. Residential Services and administrative support (e..g, fundraising, IT, finance, human resources) remained fully operational throughout the COVID time period, albeit working remotely for part of the year. Adult Day Services accumulated thousands of Zoom call hours by maintaining contact between adults and staff throughout the duration of COVID. The advancement team pivoted attention toward COVID grant opportunities as more traditional funding mechanisms dried up. In place of hosting its annual gala, the organization invited "host couples" to facilitate up to a dozen sets of mini-parties and this transition was a successful one. The agency navigated an entire move of its headquarters in the middle of COVID. This required a substantial amount of adaptation as staff needed to familiarize themselves with new surroundings and working in a new city.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Teachers/staff associated with the agency's educational services division are more equipped to handle a transition that requires remote education. It is anticipated how building up this new set of skills will create more flexibility in the organization's ability to instruct students. Another lesson learned was in the homes in which the agency cares for adults with disabilities. Over the next few months, increasing numbers of homes will be equipped with "smart" technologies including wearable devices by the residents. These steps will take place to enhance the way in which the agency staff actively engage those under its care on a 24/7 basis.
Not Currently Scored
Little Friends Inc. cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
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Little Friends Inc. reported its three largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:"KREJCI ACADEMY" SERVES STUDENTS AGES 3 TO 21 WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE "MANSION" SERVES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES. THE "BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL" ... (More)
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:"KREJCI ACADEMY" SERVES STUDENTS AGES 3 TO 21 WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE "MANSION" SERVES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES. THE "BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL" SERVES STUDENTS AGES 14 TO 21 WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN COMBINATION WITH SEVERE EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS. VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS ALSO PROVIDED. A TOTAL OF 131 STUDENTS WERE SERVED IN FISCAL YEAR 2019. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAMS:THIS PROGRAM SERVICE ALLOWS ADULTS WITH A RANGE OF DISABILITIES/SPECIAL NEEDS TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. INTERMITTENT OR 24-HOUR SUPPORT IS PROVIDED, DE ... (More)
RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAMS:THIS PROGRAM SERVICE ALLOWS ADULTS WITH A RANGE OF DISABILITIES/SPECIAL NEEDS TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. INTERMITTENT OR 24-HOUR SUPPORT IS PROVIDED, DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE NECESSARY. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
ADULT DAY CARE PROGRAMS:SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS HELP ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES FIND JOBS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. REGULAR WORK/DEVELOPMENTAL TRAINING TEACHES DAILY LIVING SKILLS, AS WELL AS SOME BAS ... (More)
ADULT DAY CARE PROGRAMS:SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS HELP ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES FIND JOBS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. REGULAR WORK/DEVELOPMENTAL TRAINING TEACHES DAILY LIVING SKILLS, AS WELL AS SOME BASIC (LIGHT ASSEMBLY) JOB SKILLS. TRANSITIONAL WORK SERVIC (Less)
Little Friends Inc. has earned a 100% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
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Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
A) Starting at age 18-months, children are eligible to participate in a full diagnostic evaluation that reviews whether the child is on the autism spectrum. This service is provided through the Little Friends Center for Autism. B) Little Friends currently enrolls 123 students ages of three thru 21. This service is provided through Educational Services, which includes Krejci Academy and the Mansion High School. C) The Respite Family Services program enrolls children/adolescents between the ages of five to 17. D) The Adult Day Services program hosted by Little Friends provides vocational, educational and networking experiences for more than 150 I/DD adults ages 22 and up. E) Residential Services provides housing for 100 I/DD adults who live in 40 different homes in the region.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Case management notes, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them?
Parents and family members feel more engaged with Little Friends staff when they are invited to be part of the solution through responses collected via completed surveys and social media. This wasn't necessarily a power shift, but one that all parties involved felt was mutually beneficial. .
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
The Little Friends Residential Services program is working with the agency's IT department to equip homes with "smart" technologies that will provide additional supports for those we serve who live in our homes. Examples include remote/programable thermostats, interior/exterior security cameras, and "wearable" technology for the residents (e.g., iPhones).
Equity Practices - Data Available - 100/100 ptsEquity Practices - Data Available - 100/100 pts
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 100 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 11 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (6/7) | |
|---|---|
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Equity Policies and Procedures (5/7) | |
|---|---|
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Little Friends Inc. has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
To empower people of all ages experiencing autism, intellectual and emotional disabilities and their families to live, learn, work and thrive in their communities.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
To be recognized as one of the premier provider of services in the state of Illinois addressing the needs of children, adults, and families challenged by autism, and intellectual/ developmental disabilities. To provide children and parents through direct services and alliance partners the most robust offering of clinical and research support in the field of autism.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Increase enrollments of students experiencing autism and other special needs
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Introduce technological advancements in Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) that expand and enhance the support provided to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Three: Successfully complete $10 million Building Futures campaign that strengthens the agency in areas of programming, facilities and endowment.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Little Friends has teamed up with OPEN MINDS to engage in strategic planning that began in FY22. Taken in verbatim from their website: OPEN MINDS is an award-winning information source, executive education provider, and business solutions firm specializing in the sectors of the health and human service industry serving complex consumers. For thirty years, we've been pioneers for change—helping organizations implement the transformational business practices they need to be successful in an evolving market with new policies and regulations. Our mission is to continuously advance the quality of services delivered to individuals with chronic conditions and complex support needs. That is why we strive to provide the market information and management knowledge that improves the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations financing or delivering services in these markets
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Raising Awareness
Senior leadership staff at Little Friends maintain active communications and strategic partnerships with other local and regional agencies who advocate for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and children who are identified on the autism spectrum. Little Friends board of directors include professionals who are experts in the field of autism research at Northwestern University; professionals who are educators in the field of special education; and, community leaders who have a proven track record of success in raising awareness and cultivating partnerships throughout the local communities.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Little Friends orchestrated a planned move of its campus headquarters to newer facilities in a neighboring city that would allow for expansion of services and enjoy newer amenities. This was a significant adaptation, coupled with the introduction of remote learning for teachers and Telehealth experiences for clinicians, the agency successfully launched in the middle of COVID. The agency's advancement team adopted new fundraising strategies that included a public launch of a $10 million Building Futures campaign, representing a historic target for the organization. Little Friends also introduced new funding initiatives that replaced the agency's signature/annual fundraiser of the year by hosting smaller-scale events held throughout the year.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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