State-funded Nonprofit Spotlight: Answer, INC

Answer, INC, a tax-exempt nonprofit that receives significant public funding to perform services also offered by the state, was approved to receive seven grants totaling $2,640,640 in FY2024, according to passed legislation data extracted from the Illinois General Assembly’s FY2024 budget (Public Act 102- 6 0698, Public Act 102- 6 0698 , Public Act 103-0006, Public Act 103-0006).

The listed appropriations included grants of $750,000 and $500,000, along with five additional grants totaling $1,390,640, all designated for programs or services funded by the State of Illinois.

These appropriations represent state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.

Founded in 2007 by Debra Vines, Answer, INC states that its mission is: “Our mission is to provide and increase Autism awareness for our family member’s caregivers, law enforcement, and the community as a whole. We provide supportive services that will build and create a more productive and effective communication skills among the above groups listed, creating a healthier and safer environment for families who live with Autism.”

You can learn more about the organization at its website.

In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $720,941 in total revenue. Of that, $511,954 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 71% of total revenue.

The nonprofit listed $720,941 in contributions overall.

At the beginning of 2024, Answer, INC had $215,162 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $369,017, indicating a significant 71.5% growth in overall holdings.

However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.

Answer, INC is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.

In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.

According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.