Our "I Can!" Story

Awards & Accreditations

Join us in celebrating the following awards!

world cerebral palsy day contribution award

2017 Contribution Award Winner

World Cerebral Palsy Day is a movement of people with cerebral palsy and their families, and the organizations that support them, in more than 60 countries. The Center was awarded the "Contribution Award" in 2017 for the "High Expectations" program that helps open doors to employment for young adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP) through on-site training and experience.

Read more about World CP Day and High Expectations!

Better Business Bureau Accredited Business Logo

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability were developed to assist donors in making sound giving decisions and to foster public confidence in charitable organizations. The standards seek to encourage fair and honest solicitation practices, to promote ethical conduct by charitable organizations and to advance support of philanthropy.

CFI proudly meets all 20 BBB Accredited Charity Standards

GUIDESTAR (Candid) PLATINUM AWARD

GuideStar is the world's largest source of information on nonprofit organization's mission, legitimacy, impact, reputation, finances, programs, transparency, governance, and so much more.

CFI is a GuideStar Exchange Platinum Participant!

2023-great-nonprofits-badge

GREAT NON-PROFIT AWARD

GreatNonprofits is the leading platform for community-sourced stories about Nonprofits. These stories are submitted by people who know you best — your clients, donors, volunteers, and others — all those who have experienced the impact of nonprofit work up close!

Read Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

CQL-ACCRED-LOGO-for-web

The Council on Quality and Leadership Accredation

Since 1969, The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) has been a leader in working with human service organizations and systems to continuously define, measure, and improve quality of life and quality of services for youth, adults, and older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities.

View post about CFI's acceditation

United Way Metro Chicago Logo

UNITED WAY EDUCATION IMPACT AWARD (2016)

CFI was awarded the "Education Impact Award" in Spring 2016 from United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. The Center is committed to helping children with physical disabilities throughout Metropolitan Chicago receive the best education possible. Thank you to United Way for your commitment to change the story for nearly 2 million people in need throughout the Chicago region.

Center For Independence Patti Herbst Honorary Conductor

HONORARY CONDUCTOR AWARD (2016)

In December 2016, Patti Herbst, Executive Director, was the first American to receive the Honorary Conductor Award from the Andras Peto College in Budapest, Hungary. Patti was given the award in honor of her efforts to expand Conductive Education through research, outreach, education and advocacy.

Patti Herbst Chicagoan of the Year 2000

CHICAGOAN OF THE YEAR, Chicago Magazine (2000)

Since 1994, Chicago magazine has annually honored a few outstanding individuals as "Chicagoans of the Year" — people whose determination, vision, and good works have made the city a better place to live. Patti Herbst was honored to receive this award in 2000 for her work in starting CFI and expanding opportunities for children with physical disabilities.