We feel it too.
At NAMI Chicago, we took a deep breath. We held on to what we know to be true, and recalibrated to answer the needs of our community.
From the Helpline to the front lines to online, we are mobilizing to heal and prioritizing mental health for our community.
In the past few months, we have seen a Chicago that has altered our perspectives. It has exposed the vulnerabilities in our city’s safety net and brought to light injustices, big and small. As this year’s events unfolded all around us, NAMI Chicago looked inward as well.
We published a new mission, vision and values statement. We put equity at the core of how we talk about wellness and healing in the community. Demand remained high but we did not miss a beat - we paused and put renewed focus on investing as much in our team’s wellbeing as we are in those we serve. We named a Chief Wellness Officer, built out health advocacy and wellness programming for our team, and improved our own benefits program.
Highlights of Healing and Hope
We Connected Virtually
Human connection will always be at the root of healing. Lack of connection hurt all of us this year, and NAMI Chicago created platforms for people to connect and share their experiences. From support groups and education sessions to our annual NAMIWalks and Light the Darkness dinner, we came together and we began to heal.
We Expanded Our Reach
By the beginning of April, our Helpline began taking in 200% of our previous call volume. Our callers’ needs were complex, including increased mental health crises, shelter, and food needs - and we raised over $180,000 to answer the call through our Helpline Assistance Fund. Our new website at namichicago.org has had over 120,000 visits this year, offering wellness support and resources for those who aren’t yet ready to talk.
We Improved Wellness At Work
For many, the line between their work and home life blurred as offices and schools shut down. We have served 65 workplaces through corporate mental health training this year, with an 800% increase in workplace training attendees compared to before the pandemic. We also released a workplace wellness toolkit in April, to help companies and organizations prioritize mental health.
We Supported Those in Need
During the first few months of the health crisis, we provided 875 nights of shelter and 189 food deliveries to those in need. We partnered with community members and organizations to help people get back to work. Our own employment program has grown this year to meet community needs, and we added nine new staff to the NAMI Chicago family. At nearly 50 people strong, nearly every person on our team has lived experience, and we prioritize that leadership.
every conversation, and every step forward.
Anti-Racism Statement
NAMI Chicago’s core values are trust, support, collaboration, and equity. Racism and structural inequities in our city and country have caused deep pain, loss, and trauma. As an organization, we acknowledge this, and as individuals, we experience and witness it.
NAMI Chicago vows to act and advocate. Apathy and silence are not our response. We understand that opposing racism is not the same as promoting inclusion. For our entire community, NAMI Chicago will be a vocal opponent of systemic racism and the inherent biases that allow it to continue. Guided by our values and the vision of a safe and well city, we are deeply committed to creating sustainable structures to not just fight racism but foster a truly equitable society.
We vow to amplify the voices and influence of those who have experienced racism and trauma and who are asking for resources to heal. We vow to keep learning and growing together and to always be listening. We vow to continue to be transparent with our community about our work and values. We commit to anti-racism in our hiring and organizational practices, partnerships, and advocacy priorities.
THANK YOU, DONORS
Your generosity makes everything we do possible.
Financials
July 1, 2019–June 30, 2020
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
Assets
Cash + Cash Equivalents $2,276,341
Accounts Receivable $645,645
Prepaid Expenses $6,072
Total Current Assets $2,928,058
Total Current Assets $2,928,058
Investments and Other Assets $129,593
Total Assets $3,185,226
Liabilities and Net Assets
Liabilities
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $52,026
Deferred Revenue $9,325
Deferred Rent Expense $27,994
Unexpended Grant Liability $73,305
Total Liabilities $162,650
SBA Payroll Protection
Program Loan $340,980
Net Assets
Unrestricted $2,232,386
Temporarily Restricted $449,210
Total Net Assets $2,681,596
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $3,185,226
SBA Payroll Protection
Program Loan $340,980
Net Assets
Unrestricted $2,232,386
Temporarily Restricted $449,210
Total Net Assets $2,681,596
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $3,185,226
Net Assets
Unrestricted $1,729,284
Temporarily Restricted $239,130
Total Net Assets $2,681,596
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $3,185,226
Net Assets
Unrestricted $1,729,284
Temporarily Restricted $239,130
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
Support and Revenue
Grants and Program Revenue $1,769,381
Contributions $1,097,142
Fundraisers (net of direct costs) $400,653
Membership Dues $3,435
Investment/Interest Income $26,374
Miscellaneous $3,804
Total Support and Revenue $3,300,789
Expenses
Program Services $2,206,016
Support Services
Administrative $339,559
Fundraising $199,263
Total Expenses $2,744,838
Net Assets Beginning of Year $2,125,645
Net Assets End of Year $2,681,596
