Center for Independent Futures

What Center for Independent Futures does

Center for Independent Futures (CIF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in achieving independent, community-integrated lives. The organization was co-founded by Kay Branz and Jane Doyle — two mothers of daughters with developmental disabilities — in response to the absence of life-skills support and opportunities available after high school transition programs. CIF serves over 100 individuals throughout the Chicagoland area and consults nationwide with schools and agencies.

CIF's core service portfolio comprises five integrated offerings: (1) Life Skills Coaching, providing one-on-one person-centered coaching where Life Skills Coaches partner with adults with disabilities to build self-determination and independent living skills; (2) My Full Life™, a digital life-skills curriculum platform with over 180 courses and 1,000 resources built on the proprietary Full Life Model™ framework (a holistic model organized around 8 essential aspects of a full life); (3) Community Living Options™, supported housing residences in Evanston with daily Community Builder check-ins; (4) the New Futures Initiative™, a step-by-step housing planning program with a free bilingual (English/Spanish) housing guide; and (5) Activities & Events, a roster of in-person and Zoom-based social clubs (Book Club, Art Club, Cooking Club, Yoga, Bingo, etc.). CIF also offers School & Agency Consulting, exporting its person-centered methodology to external organizations.

CIF's revenue model is a typical nonprofit mix: tax-deductible donations (EIN 36-4492994), corporate sponsorships (Insperity, First American Bank), fundraising events (annual SPARK Gala, Brews & Bites, trivia nights, TeamCIF Chicago Marathon), low participant activity fees (mostly free up to $360 for multi-session programs like Cooking Club), and quote-based Life Skills Coaching and supported-housing program fees. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with Richard Malone as Executive Director, and has earned CQL Quality Assurances Accreditation (2021) and the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency (2023).

Name

Center for Independent Futures

Legal name

Center for Independent Futures

Website

https://independentfutures.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Center for Independent Futures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Evanston, Illinois that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through one-on-one life skills coaching, the My Full Life™ digital curriculum, supported housing, social activities, and nationwide school and agency consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Living Skills Training (ADLs/IADLs) (EDAKANAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Special Needs & Inclusive Learning Trade (Dyslexia, ADHD, ASD Supports) (EDAGAIAL)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Life skills coaching
• Supported housing
• Person-centered planning
• Special education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Evanston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, families, and community supporters. EIN number 36-4492994.
2. Fundraising Events: Revenue from annual gala (SPARK Gala), Brews & Bites events, trivia nights, and other fundraising activities.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from companies like Insperity and family sponsors for events and programs.
4. Activity Fees: Low-cost activity registration fees for participants, ranging from free to $360 for multi-session programs like Cooking Club.
5. Program Service Fees: Fees for life skills coaching, supported housing, and community living options services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Center for Independent Futures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides person-centered life skills coaching, supported housing (Community Living Options™), social and educational activities, and a step-by-step housing planning program (New Futures Initiative™) for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Chicagoland area. Its proprietary My Full Life™ digital curriculum (180+ courses, 1,000+ resources) is used in coaching, sold to individuals, and licensed to schools and agencies, with nationwide consulting on person-centered planning.

Product overview

Center for Independent Futures operates a multi-service nonprofit portfolio centered on enabling adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full, independent lives. The core offering consists of Life Skills Coaching — one-on-one person-centered support — paired with the My Full Life™ digital platform, a ready-to-teach curriculum with over 180 courses and 1,000 resources built on the Full Life Model™ framework. These are supported by Community Living Options™ (supported housing in Evanston), the New Futures Initiative™ (a housing planning program with a free guide), Activities & Events (social clubs both in-person and virtual), and School & Agency Consulting services. Together, the services form a cohesive ecosystem: coaching uses My Full Life™ to set goals, housing provides the living environment, activities foster community, and consulting extends CIF's methods to external organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• My Full Life™: A digital life skills curriculum for individuals with disabilities with over 180 courses and 1,000 resources to help build skills for greater independence.
• The Full Life Model™
• New Futures Initiative™
• Community Living Options™

Products and services

• Life Skills Coaching One-on-one person-centered coaching in which Life Skills Coaches partner with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to support self-determination, dignity, and choice, helping participants build independent living skills and achieve personal goals.
• My Full Life™ A digital life skills curriculum for individuals with disabilities, offering over 180 courses and 1,000 resources designed to build skills for greater independence, built on the Full Life Model™ framework and accessible to individuals, instructors, schools, and agencies.
• Activities & Events A calendar of in-person and virtual clubs and events — including Book Club, Walking Club, Art Club, Cooking Club, Yoga, Trivia, Anime Club, and more — designed to promote social connection, belonging, and community engagement for adults with disabilities.
• Community Living Options™ Supported housing residences in Evanston, Illinois, providing adults with disabilities the supports needed to live independently in community settings, with daily check-ins from Community Builders and one-on-one Skills Tutor support.
• New Futures Initiative™ A step-by-step housing guidance program and training process that helps families create successful community living options for individuals with disabilities in their own neighborhoods, including a free housing guide available in English and Spanish.
• School & Agency Consulting Person-centered planning consultation and training services provided to schools, agencies, and organizations nationwide, sharing CIF's innovative approaches — including the Full Life Model™ and My Full Life™ curriculum — to supporting individuals with disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 individuals served throughout Chicagoland area
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hilton Chicago/NorthbrookminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for the annual SPARK Gala event. Provides event space for the organization's largest fundraising event of the year.
• Art EncountercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit art education organization that partners with CIF to provide Art Club programming. During COVID-19 pandemic, partnered to provide virtual and in-person art workshops. CIF was honored as Art Encounter's 2022 Community Partner of the Year.
• Evanston Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to co-facilitate the Book Club activity. Library staff assist in facilitating the Book Club sessions.
• Evanston Athletic ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonates studio space for CIF's Yoga classes. Classes are held both in-person at the club and simultaneously on Zoom.
• InsperityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of CIF events and programs.
• First American BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Friend of CIF sponsor supporting the organization's mission.
• HUB 930minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity venue partner used for Cooking Club in-person sessions and other CIF events in Evanston.
• Egg Harbor CafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for the Breakfast Club activity, allowing participants to practice ordering food, paying bills, and social skills in a restaurant setting.
• Chandler-Newberger Community CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity venue used for activities like Pickleball outings.
• Double Clutch BrewingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue host for Brews & Bites event and Trivia Night, providing accessible, relaxed event space.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Cerebral Palsy: National network of affiliates providing housing, employment, and life skills services for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Comparable as an established disability services nonprofit brand with a national footprint versus CIF's local presence.
• The Arc of the United States: National community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including housing, life skills, and family supports. Comparable mission alignment with CIF, with a national affiliate network versus CIF's single Chicagoland chapter.
• The MENTOR Network (Sevita): National provider of home- and community-based services for adults and children with IDD, behavioral health needs, and aging populations. Comparable as a scaled platform delivering supported living and life skills coaching, though with a much larger operating footprint.
• Easterseals: One of the largest U.S. disability service nonprofits, providing life skills, employment, and housing support for people with disabilities nationally. Comparable as a broad-based IDD services brand, though it operates at much greater scale and geographic reach than CIF.

Direct peers

• AHRC New York City: Large nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and clinical services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable as a community-based IDD services provider with person-centered planning and supported housing, though at significantly greater scale than CIF.
• Community Access Unlimited: New Jersey nonprofit offering housing, advocacy, and life skills supports for people with IDD and behavioral health needs. Comparable as a community-living-focused IDD nonprofit emphasizing independence and person-centered services.
• RISE Services: Multi-state nonprofit providing residential, day, and community support for individuals with IDD and behavioral health needs. Comparable as a supported living and life skills provider in the IDD space, with regional rather than national concentration.
• St. Coletta of Wisconsin: Nonprofit serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, vocational, and life skills programs. Comparable as a mission-driven IDD services organization with an integrated residential and life skills portfolio.
• Misericordia Home: Chicago-area nonprofit providing residential, employment, and life skills programs for children and adults with IDD. CIF's Intake & Program Director Amanda Marks previously worked there, and both organizations serve overlapping Chicagoland populations with community-based disability supports.
• LifeStream Services: Indiana-based nonprofit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, day, and community-based programs. Comparable as a regional IDD services provider emphasizing person-centered planning and community integration.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/teamcif
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CIFevanston
• Facebookfacebook.com/IndependentFutures
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-independent-futures
• Instagraminstagram.com/independent_futures

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Independent Futures