About Us

Easterseals empowers people to live independent, full lives. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Easterseals a nonprofit organization?

Easter Seals, Inc. (Easterseals) is a nonprofit organization that provides health and human services, incorporated under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This means that we focus on helping people—supporting people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and their families. We have many groups (“Affiliates”)  across the United States that work together to provide care and support. Easterseals also helps Affiliates by raising money, building the Easterseals brand, and advocating for the people they serve. 

What types of services does Easterseals provide?

With the generous support of donors and partners, Easterseals offers a variety of programs and services to help people. Here are some of the key areas we focus on:

• Employment: We can help people find and keep jobs. This includes job training, resume building, and interview practice for aging youth and adults as well as veterans.
• Health: We offer health services like in-home care, physical therapy, speech therapy, and mental health support to improve overall well-being. This also includes access to assistive technology to enhance how people perform daily tasks. 
• Education: We provide educational programs and support for children and adults, including autism and early childhood education services. 
• Community: We offer transportation support and resources that can connect people to their communities. We also have services that help people get involved in their communities, like camp and recreational activities and social groups in adult day settings, and services like early childhood care and respite services that support parents and caregivers alike.

All of these areas are so interconnected to help someone live a full life. These services are designed to help everyone thrive, no matter what stage of life they’re in. 

Are Easterseals services limited to people with specific types of disabilities? 

No, Easterseals serves people with various disabilities. We also serve veterans and aging adults with and without disabilities. Services can vary depending on location because we customize services based on local community needs. 

How many people receive Easterseals services each year? 

1.5 million people benefit from services across communities nationwide, thanks to an expansive Easterseals network of Affiliates that carry out these essential services. Learn more about the impact of Easterseals by visiting Community Stories.

How is Easterseals supported financially?

We depend on partnerships and raising funds from generous donors to ensure that Easterseals' services are accessible and available to as many people as possible. A donor can be one person who gives a single or ongoing gift, or a gift that’s part of a financial or estate plan. No matter the gift amount, every bit can help cover the difference between actual program costs and what people can afford. As a Section 501(c)(3) organization, we also receive funding from insurance recoveries, government agencies, and fee-for-service. Easterseals exceeds all of the Standards for Charity Accountability set by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. Find out how you can help us support your community so more people can thrive. 

Where does the money go?

Your generous donation supports people who often think of Easterseals’ services as transformational. Don’t take our word for it! Learn more about the impact donations make by visiting Community Stories. 

As a National office, we distribute funds to Easterseals Affiliates across the U.S., helping people in thousands of communities feel empowered to live a full, independent life. Here’s a recent report of how we support our Affiliate Network throughout everything we do (PDF).

How large is Easterseals?

Each year, our services reach 1.5 million people nationwide. With the strength of 70 Affiliates and a presence in just about every state, there are more than 32,000 staff members and 35,000 volunteers who carry on the Easterseals mission.

Is Easterseals religious?

Our name may have the word “Easter” in it, but we are not affiliated with any religion. At the core of Easterseals is a common passion for caring for others, shared by many of us who believe that people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and their families, all deserve to thrive. Learn more about our founding story by visiting Our History. 

What are Easter "seals"?

The Easterseals stamps, also called “seals” or “stickers,” show the evolution of contemporary design and highlight examples of early branding through direct response programs engaging donors over the years. The first seals fundraising campaign launched in 1934 and featured lily-inspired designs illustrated by cartoonist James Harrison Donahey. To this day, our fundraising teams continue versions of seals campaigns. Learn more about Our History.