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Nonprofiteer
← PROJECT EXPLORATION

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by PROJECT EXPLORATION.

This return was superseded by a later amendment. matched by us It is kept because history is preserved rather than replaced.

What the amendment changed

Compared with the latest return for 2024 , filed 10 August 2026. matched by us Only the return's totals, a 990-PF's accounting method and the names listed in Part VII (Part VIII on a 990-PF) are compared. We relate returns by organization, tax year and form, and order them by each return's own timestamp; the filer's own "amended return" checkbox is a separate fact.

Total revenue
$2,369,487 changed to $2,209,702
Total expenses
$2,745,092 changed to $2,750,112
Contributions and grants received
$2,287,119 changed to $2,127,334
Total assets, end of year
$890,851 changed to $857,762
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
-$28,064 changed to -$61,153
Program services expenses
$2,073,016 changed to $2,323,993
Management and general expenses
$405,342 changed to $283,171
Fundraising expenses
$266,734 changed to $142,948
Program service expenses (Part III)
$2,073,016 changed to $2,323,993

Totals

Total revenue
$2,369,487
Total expenses
$2,745,092
Contributions and grants received
$2,287,119
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$13,244
Investment income
$259
Other revenue
$68,865
Total assets, end of year
$890,851
Total liabilities, end of year
$918,915
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
-$28,064
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$2,073,016
Management and general expenses
$405,342
Fundraising expenses
$266,734
Program service expenses (Part III)
$2,073,016

Program services were 75.5% 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.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $1,704,496

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $582,623

  • 2a · Program service revenue: PROGRAM SERVICES

    total $13,244 · related or exempt $13,244

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $259 · excluded $259

  • 11a · Other revenue: EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT

    total $68,865 · related or exempt $68,865

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $68,865

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $124,084 · program services $12,408 · management and general $37,225 · fundraising $74,451

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $1,235,166 · program services $1,007,029 · management and general $166,663 · fundraising $61,474

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $117,872 · program services $88,404 · management and general $17,681 · fundraising $11,787

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $150,712 · program services $113,034 · management and general $22,607 · fundraising $15,071

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $8,500 · management and general $8,500

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $71,702 · program services $13,508 · management and general $52,377 · fundraising $5,817

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $20,948 · program services $20,948

  • 17 · Travel

    total $29,429 · program services $23,543 · management and general $2,943 · fundraising $2,943

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $16,775 · management and general $16,775

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $53,457 · program services $42,765 · management and general $5,346 · fundraising $5,346

  • 24a · Other expenses: CONTRACTUAL SERVICES

    total $348,580 · program services $313,723 · management and general $34,857

  • 24b · Other expenses: EVENTS

    total $146,229 · program services $58,491 · fundraising $87,738

  • 24c · Other expenses: PROGRAM EXPENSES

    total $119,244 · program services $119,244

  • 24d · Other expenses: CONSULTING

    total $91,313 · program services $56,838 · management and general $34,475

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $211,081 · program services $203,081 · management and general $5,893 · fundraising $2,107

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $88,492 · end of year $26,300

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $419,805 · end of year $751,500

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    end of year $1,217

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $177,093

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $177,093

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $15,077

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    end of year $111,834

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $25,833 · end of year $123,250

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    end of year $177,133

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $150,000 · end of year $618,532

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $347,541 · end of year -$128,064

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    end of year $100,000

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

PROJECT EXPLORATION CREATES TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE SCIENCES -- PARTICULARLY STUDENTS OF COLOR AND GIRLS -- BY EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE SKILLS, PRACTICES, AND MINDSET NEEDED FOR A LIFELONG PURSUIT OF LEARNING.

  • PROJECT EXPLORATION'S YOUTH-SCIENCE PATHWAY (YSP) PROGRAMS PROVIDE STUDENTS K-12 WITH HANDS-ON STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH AFTERSCHOOL, SCHOOL-BREAK, SUMMER, SCHOOL-BASED, AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS. YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH WHILE BUILDING CONFIDENCE, TEAMWORK, PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO EXPOSE STUDENTS TO STEM CAREERS, CONNECT THEM WITH MENTORS, AND SUPPORT LONG-TERM INTEREST AND ENGAGEMENT IN STEM LEARNING.

    Expenses $1,951,256

  • PROJECT EXPLORATION'S COMMUNITY ECOSYSTEM WORK BRINGS TOGETHER SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, FAMILIES, YOUTH, AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO CREATE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, AND ENGAGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. THROUGH COMMUNITY EVENTS, NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, AND COLLABORATIVE PLANNING, THIS WORK HELPS INCREASE ACCESS TO RESOURCES, STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY, AND SUPPORT POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES.

  • PROJECT EXPLORATION'S STEM ECOSYSTEM WORK FOCUSES ON BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION ACROSS SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, BUSINESSES, HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, AND PUBLIC AGENCIES TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH. THIS WORK INCLUDES CONVENING PARTNERS, SHARING RESOURCES AND BEST PRACTICES, SUPPORTING COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES, AND HELPING STRENGTHEN THE OVERALL STEM LEARNING LANDSCAPE ACROSS CHICAGO COMMUNITIES.

  • SPRING BREAK SCIENCE CAMP THIS WEEKLONG PROGRAM IMMERSES PE STUDENTS IN THE EXPERTISE AND CULTURE OF A STEM-BASED COMPANY OR INSTITUTION. PAST PARTNERS HAVE INCLUDED: TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES, WHICH LED ACTIVITIES IN CODING AND ROBOTICS; AND MOTOROLA MOBILITY, WHICH PAIRED GIRLS FROM S4S WITH A DIVERSE GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL WOMEN. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVENTURERS (EA) EA IS AIMED AT ENGAGING DIVERSE, URBAN YOUTH IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, BIOLOGY, ANATOMY, AND ZOOLOGY SUBJECTS TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN RESEARCH IN A MEANINGFUL AND HANDS-ON WAY. THE PARTICIPANTS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM WILL DO REAL SCIENTIFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORK WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS WHILE LEARNING HOW TO DEVELOP A RESEARCH QUESTION TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS - SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STEM PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS AT THEIR HOME SCHOOL. PROJECT EXPLORATION HAS IDENTIFIED COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE WEST AND NEAR WEST SIDE, FAR SOUTH, SOUTH, AND SOUTHWEST SIDE OF CHICAGO AS PROGRAM SERVICE AREAS. THESE COMMUNITIES REFLECT AREAS THAT HAVE LIMITED TO NO ROBUST STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. PE PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS OR WORKS DIRECTLY WITH CPS TO DETERMINE WHICH SCHOOLS TO SERVE. PE COLLABORATES WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS TO DETERMINE WHICH PROGRAMS TO OFFER. PLACE-BASED PROGRAMS - PLACE-BASED PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STEM PROGRAMMING WITHIN A GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND SERVE AS A COMMUNITY STEM HUB. PROJECT EXPLORATION HAS TWO PLACE-BASED LOCATIONS. THE WEST SIDE STEM LEARNING CENTERS AT THE GEORGE LELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPUS WAS LAUNCHED IN 2017. IN 2021, PE LAUNCHED A SECOND PARTNERSHIP WITH BETHEL NEW LIFE TO CREATE ANOTHER PLACE-BASED STEM LEARNING CENTER. EACH AIMS TO AMPLIFY THE VALUE OF STEM LEARNING IN THE COMMUNITY, STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY COHESION THROUGH FAMILY PROGRAMMING, AND BRING CITYWIDE STEM RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

    Expenses $121,760

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Natasha Smith-Walker

    EXECUTIVE DI

    Total calculated
    $131,976
    From this org
    $131,976
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40
  • Katherine Acles

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Henry Craan

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Asher Horsher

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Sarah Houberg

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Bryan Hunt

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Timothy Kolschowsky

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Judy Lubin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Narasimha Raju Nagubhai

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Elaina Shannon

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Deborah Williams

    TREASURER

    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
2024
Filed
13 July 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.0
Source object
202641959349302219

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