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Nonprofiteer
← MARA FOUNDATION

Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by MARA FOUNDATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$247,050
Total expenses
$272,611
Contributions and grants received
$247,050
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$0
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$39,897
Total liabilities, end of year
$0
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$39,897
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$219,045
Management and general expenses
$53,566
Fundraising expenses
$0
Program service expenses (Part III)
$219,045

Program services were 80.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $247,050

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $11,726 · program services $4,706 · management and general $7,020

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $40,334 · management and general $40,334

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $254 · program services $41 · management and general $213

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $18,799 · program services $13,746 · management and general $5,053

  • 24a · Other expenses: EVENT - VENUE

    total $67,227 · program services $67,227

  • 24b · Other expenses: TRAVEL - AIRFARE

    total $53,492 · program services $53,492

  • 24c · Other expenses: LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

    total $33,707 · program services $33,511 · management and general $196

  • 24d · Other expenses: EVENT EXPENSES

    total $30,037 · program services $30,037

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $17,035 · program services $16,285 · management and general $750

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $23,266 · end of year $1,170

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $232

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $43,560 · end of year $38,727

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,600

  • 29 · Capital stock, trust principal or current funds

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 30 · Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 31 · Retained earnings, endowment or other funds

    beginning of year $65,458 · end of year $39,897

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

SEE SCHEDULE O.

Activities or mission (Part I)

MARA FOUNDATION'S GENERAL OBJECTIVES ARE CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL WITHIN THE MEANING OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 501(C)(3). ITS MISSION IS TO CREATE A COMMUNITY THAT IDENTIFIES, ENCOURAGES, AND PROMOTES THE INTERESTS OF PROMISING YOUNG PERSONS IN LITERATURE, FILM, ART, SCIENCE, POLITICS, MUSIC AND OTHER ACADEMIC FIELDS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL FORUMS, SYMPOSIA, NETWORKING WITH MENTORS AND ESTABLISHED PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS IN SIMILAR FIELDS. MARA FOUNDATION ALSO PROMOTES THE CAUSE OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND FOSTERS PUBLIC AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, AND APPRECIATION OF WOMEN IN LITERATURE, SCREENWRITING, DIRECTING, PLAYWRITING, AND OTHER ARTISTIC FIELDS THROUGH EDUCATIONALEVENTS, SYMPOSIA, AND OTHER MEANS.

  • THE JANUARY 2025 EVENT - CASA MAJANI PUNTA DE MITA IN MEXICOSET WITHIN AN ISOLATED VILLA COMPOUND IN THE MEXICAN COUNTRYSIDE, THE JANUARY 2025 JERICHO EVENT IS A WEEK-LONG WELLBEING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT RETREAT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ARTISTS WORKING IN LITERATURE, FILM, ART, MUSIC, AND BEYOND USING CREATIVITY TO UNLOCK CONFIDENCE. BY HOSTING SESSIONS WHICH GATHER YOUNG CREATIVES TO SHARE PAST EXPERIENCES AND CONSIDER FUTURE PATHWAYS, ATTENDEES ARE GIVEN THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO BE RESILIENT IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. THE PARTICIPANTS LEAVE THE ACADEMY WITH A STRENGTHENED SENSE OF SELF AND PURPOSE, PREPARED TO BECOME PART OF A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THEIR PEERS WHO MAY BE FACING ABUSE, HARASSMENT, SUBSTANCE MISUSE, OR THE INTENSE DEMANDS OF PUBLIC-FACING CAREERS. AT A JERICHO EVENT, EACH DAY IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE A WHOLISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF MIND, BODY, SOUL, AND COMMUNITY. EACH DAY STARTS WITH MOVEMENT AND BREATH EXERCISES WITH A TAI CHI SESSION, AIMING TO GROUND THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE PRESENT MOMENT. THESE TOOLS ARE TAUGHT TO HELP PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND REMEMBER THE IMPORTANCE OF SLOWING DOWN WITH INTENTION, KEY TO BEING ABLE TO MANAGE HIGH-STRESS ENVIRONMENTS, PUBLIC PERFORMANCE, AND INTERPERSONAL CHALLENGES.THE MORNING WORKSHOP SESSIONS CONTINUE THE DAY WITH INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGES, PUSHING THE PARTICIPANTS TO DEEPLY CONSIDER KEY SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ISSUES, AS WELL AS THEIR APPLICATION TO REAL LIFE SCENARIOS. CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS ARE PROMOTED THROUGH OPEN DISCUSSION, EVEN WHEN OPINIONS DIFFER AND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES ARE RAISED. PHILOSOPHICAL DIMENSIONS TO TOPICAL PROBLEMS ARE INCLUDED TO EXTEND CONVERSATIONS INTO EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND ACADEMIC SPHERES. WORKSHOPS EXTEND TO ISSUES SUCH AS FINANCIAL HEALTH, FEMINISM AND GENDER DYNAMICS, AND THE BALANCE BETWEEN PRIVACY AND SOCIAL MEDIA PRESSURE. AFTERNOONS ENHANCE THIS CULTIVATION OF THE MIND BY ENGAGING IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, EACH WITH THE DUAL PURPOSE OF BOTH FITNESS IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THESE EXPERIENCES BALANCE THE DAYS THROUGH EXERCISE AND EXERTION, TEACHING TEAMWORK, COLLABORATION, PERSISTENCE, AND HEALTHY COMPETITION. ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE PICKLEBALL, SWIMMING, SPORTS-DAYS, AND CREATIVE CHALLENGES. THESE SESSIONS PROVIDE A LIGHTNESS TO THE DAY WHICH IS ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING CONCENTRATION AND VULNERABILITY WITHIN THE GROUP. MEALS ARE SIMPLE BUT INTENTIONAL. WITH PHONES REMOVED FROM THE EQUATION, THESE ARE MOMENTS FOR IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS, BUILDING CRITICAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS NECESSARY FOR BUILDING A NETWORK IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. TIME AND SPACE FOR REFLECTION ON THE WEEK'S SESSIONS ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. JOURNALING, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND READING ARE ENCOURAGED, WITH PARTICIPANTS ORGANIZING TIME FOR EACH AMONGST THEMSELVES. HOWEVER, WITH THE PEACE AND QUIET PROVIDED BY THE ISOLATED SETTING, PARTICIPANTS CAN ALSO FIND THE SPACE FOR ALONE TIME. ESPECIALLY IN THE MODERN WORLD OF TECHNOLOGICAL OVERWHELM, THIS TIME TO GET TO KNOW ONESELF IS A KEY FEATURE OF A JERICHO EVENT. HOWEVER, THERE ARE ALSO MOMENTS OF SHARED CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS REFLECTIVE WORK, CREATING EXCHANGES OF VULNERABILITY AND AUTHENTICITY. THIS WHERE THE PERSONAL WORK BECOMES COLLABORATIVE, THE COMMUNITY BECOMES HONEST, AND PARTICIPANTS START TO OFFER SUPPORT AND ADVICE TO ONE ANOTHER, GROWING INTO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A ROLE MODEL.YOUNG PEOPLE LOOK TO ARTISTS AS THEIR PRIMARY ROLE MODELS, AND JERICHO SUPPORTS THESE EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG PEOPLE IN LIVING UP TO THIS DUTY, GIVING THEM TOOLS TO LEAD AND INSPIRE OTHERS OF THEIR GENERATION. HOWEVER, THIS CAN ONLY HAPPEN IF THEY THEMSELVES SURVIVE THE INDUSTRY, IF THEIR AUTHENTICITY STAYS INTACT - JERICHO CREATES MICROCOSMS OF CONNECTION AND SUPPORT THAT ARE DESIGNED TO RIPPLE OUT INTO BUILDING A FUTURE WHICH WE CAN ALL BE PROUD TO BE PART OF.

    Expenses $102,814

  • THE AUGUST 2025 EVENT - JERICHO SOMERSET IN UNITED KINGDOMSET WITHIN A NATURE RESERVE IN THE UK COUNTRYSIDE, THE AUGUST 2025 JERICHO EVENT IS A MULTI-DAY WELLNESS AND CREATIVE RETREAT DESIGNED FOR FOSTERING EMERGING VOICES IN LITERATURE, FILM, ART, MUSIC, AND BEYOND; SHARING IDEAS; AND TRAINING LEADERS AND ROLE MODELS FOR YOUNGER TALENT IN THOSE AREAS. THE JERICHO EVENT AIMS TO IDENTIFY, ENCOURAGE, AND EMPOWER CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS NOT ONLY IN THEIR TALENTS, BUT IN THEIR ABILITY TO SUSTAIN A CREATIVE LIFE WITH RESILIENCE, CLARITY, AND COMMUNITY, AND TO INSTILL THOSE VALUES IN AND OFFER SUPPORT FOR YOUNGER PERSONS IN THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WORLD. CENTRAL TO THIS MISSION IS PREPARING CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS ACTIVELY WORKING IN THE ARTS TO HAVE AND BECOME PART OF A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PEERS AND YOUNGER CREATIVES WHO MAY BE FACING ABUSE, HARASSMENT, SUBSTANCE MISUSE, OR THE INTENSE DEMANDS OF PUBLIC-FACING CAREERS.AT JERICHO, EACH DAY'S RHYTHM IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE A PARTICIPANT'S UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, INNER STABILITY, OUTER ENGAGEMENT, AND CREATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THEMSELVES AND THEIR WORK. EACH DAY BEGINS WITH MOVEMENT AND BREATH WITH A YOGA PRACTICE OR SIMILAR GENTLE EXERCISE THAT AIMS TO GROUND PARTICIPANTS IN THE PRESENT, CULTIVATING BODY AWARENESS AND MENTAL CLARITY. THESE TOOLS ARE TAUGHT TO HELP PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND FOCUS, TO BETTER MANAGE HIGH-STRESS ENVIRONMENTS, PUBLIC PERFORMANCE, AND INTERPERSONAL CHALLENGES.THE SPEAKER-LED SESSIONS CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS TO ENGAGE DEEPLY WITH IDEAS, ASK QUESTIONS, AND REFLECT CRITICALLY. BREAKOUT DISCUSSIONS OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP COMMUNICATION, SELF-EXPRESSION, ACTIVE LISTENING, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. TOPICS MAY INCLUDE CREATIVE SUSTAINABILITY, NAVIGATING TOXIC ENVIRONMENTS, AND THE LEADERSHIP AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS NEEDED TO SUPPORT OTHERS IN DISTRESS. AFTERNOONS ENHANCE THESE TALENTS BY ENGAGING IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS FORAGING, BUSHCRAFT, FIRE-COOKING, OR BREATHWORK ANCHOR PARTICIPANTS IN EMBODIED LEARNING. THESE EXPERIENCES MIRROR THE PERSISTENCE AND ADAPTABILITY NEEDED TO WITHSTAND PRESSURE AND ACT IN LINE WITH ONE'S VALUES. MEALS ARE SIMPLE BUT INTENTIONAL. THESE ARE MOMENTS OF COMMUNITY STRENGTHENING, CRITICAL FOR COLLABORATION AND DEVELOPING SUPPORT IN CREATIVE NETWORKS. JERICHO OFFERS TWO UNIQUE SPACES FOR REFLECTION. PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE UNSTRUCTURED TIME TO ALLOW PARTICIPANTS TO JOURNAL, SHARE MUSIC, ENGAGE IN CREATIVE COLLABORATION, OR SIMPLY BE IN QUIET COMPANY TO FOSTER SAFETY IN COMMUNITY. AND EACH DAY ENDS IN CIRCLE, UNDER STARS AND FIRELIGHT. THIS TIME IS USED FOR REFLECTION, AND AS A STEP STONE FOR PARTICIPANTS TO PRACTICE ACTING AS MODELS OF COURAGE, CARE, HONESTY, AND LEADERSHIP IN HOLDING SAFE SPACES AND NURTURING EMOTIONAL SAFETY FOR OTHER PEOPLE. IT'S WHERE THE WORK BECOMES PERSONAL, THE COMMUNITY BECOMES REAL, AND PARTICIPANTS ASSUME THE MANTLE OF ROLE MODELS AND LEADERS IN THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT.JERICHO IS MORE THAN A RETREAT. IT IS A CHARITABLE MOVEMENT TO SHAPE A HEALTHIER, SAFER CREATIVE CULTURE, WHERE EMERGING ARTISTS ARE PREPARED NOT JUST TO CREATE, BUT TO LEAD WITH EMPATHY, PROTECT THEIR PEERS, AND MODEL A NEW STANDARD OF INTEGRITY IN THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES.

    Expenses $116,231

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Kouroash Pourhabib

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Ryan Walsh

    SECRETARY/CFO

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2025
Filed
12 August 2026
IRS schema version
2025v4.2
Source object
202632319349300913

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