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Nonprofiteer
← ONWARD WE LEARN

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by ONWARD WE LEARN.

Totals

Total revenue
$6,693,094
Total expenses
$6,519,764
Contributions and grants received
$6,079,556
Grants paid
$814,417
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$613,024
Other revenue
$514
Total assets, end of year
$12,341,685
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,761,302
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$10,580,383
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$5,240,557
Management and general expenses
$1,276,978
Fundraising expenses
$2,229
Program service expenses (Part III)
$5,240,557

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.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $5,707,154

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $372,402

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $256,057 · excluded $256,057

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $887,239

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $530,272

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $356,967

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $356,967 · excluded $356,967

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISC. INCOME

    total $514 · excluded $514

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $514

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $814,417 · program services $814,417

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $530,512 · program services $377,177 · management and general $153,335

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $2,832,723 · program services $2,524,888 · management and general $307,243 · fundraising $592

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $78,834 · program services $68,049 · management and general $10,785

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $267,533 · program services $217,777 · management and general $49,756

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $281,449 · program services $247,236 · management and general $34,213

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $38,363 · management and general $38,363

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $48,000 · management and general $48,000

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $36,167 · management and general $36,167

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $529,749 · program services $358,770 · management and general $170,979

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $6,069 · program services $1,509 · management and general $4,560

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $217,348 · program services $137,458 · management and general $78,253 · fundraising $1,637

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $27,511 · program services $5,602 · management and general $21,909

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $189,381 · management and general $189,381

  • 17 · Travel

    total $116,271 · program services $116,101 · management and general $170

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $43,652 · program services $31,880 · management and general $11,772

  • 20 · Interest

    total $838 · management and general $838

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $72,582 · management and general $72,582

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $27,456 · management and general $27,456

  • 24a · Other expenses: PROGRAM SUPPLIES

    total $290,647 · program services $290,620 · management and general $27

  • 24b · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

    total $44,593 · program services $33,286 · management and general $11,307

  • 24c · Other expenses: STAFF DEVELOPMENT

    total $25,669 · program services $15,787 · management and general $9,882

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $380,537 · end of year $1,916,293

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $83,959 · end of year $223,079

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,069,661 · end of year $610,545

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $577,931 · end of year $12,238

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $72,627 · end of year $137,052

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

    $1,125,745

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

    $829,175

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $346,695 · end of year $296,570

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $8,127,034 · end of year $8,835,213

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $233,217 · end of year $257,708

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $95,302 · end of year $52,987

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $624,247 · end of year $644,345

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $282,891 · end of year $1,085,814

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $77,734 · end of year $31,143

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $9,456,054 · end of year $10,217,674

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $546,037 · end of year $362,709

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

WE AT ONWARD WE LEARN PREPARE AND INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE IN RHODE ISLAND TO BECOME THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND AND COMPLETE COLLEGE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

ONWARD WE LEARN IS A COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS ORGANIZATION IN RHODE ISLAND.

  • ONWARD WE LEARN ADVISORY:EACH YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION RECRUITS A NEW CLASS OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES (6-8) AND PROVIDES THEM WITH ONGOING SERVICES THROUGH THEIR FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE. SERVICES INCLUDE COACHING AND MENTORING SERVICES, WHICH ARE DELIVERED BY 30 ADVISORS WHO OPERATE IN 40 MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS AND AT THE STATE'S THREE PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. WE ALSO PROVIDE DOZENS OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO STUDENTS THAT FOCUS ON ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CAREER EDUCATION, AND POSTSECONDARY PREPARATION. ONWARD WE LEARN ADVISORS WORK CLOSELY WITH STUDENTS TO HELP IDENTIFY AND CONSIDER THE POSTSECONDARY PATHWAY THAT IS THE BEST FIT FOR THEM AND WORKS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE TO IDENTIFY SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER RESOURCES TO MAKE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AFFORDABLE.

    Expenses $1,456,433

  • SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:IN FY 2025, WE PROVIDED $814,417 FOR SCHOLARSHIPS TO 604 STUDENTS TO SUPPORT POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS. THESE RESOURCES WERE CRITICAL TO SUPPORTING COLLEGE PERSISTENCE AND COLLEGE COMPLETION EFFORTS. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THESE SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES, INDEPENDENT RESEARCHERS STUDYING ONWARD WE LEARN DISCOVERED THAT ONWARD WE LEARN GEAR UP PARTICIPANTS IN RHODE ISLAND WERE 48% MORE LIKELY THAN THEIR CLOSELY MATCHED PEERS TO EARN A COLLEGE CREDENTIAL WITHIN SIX YEARS OF EXPECTED HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. ACROSS EVERY MAJOR MILESTONE ON-TIME GRADE PROGRESSION, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, COLLEGE ENROLLMENT, AND COLLEGE COMPLETION ONWARD WE LEARN GEAR UP PARTICIPANTS SIGNIFICANTLY OUTPERFORMED COMPARISON STUDENTS. ONWARD PROGRAM OUTCOME REVEALED PARTICULARLY STRONG IMPACTS FOR LOW-INCOME, BLACK, AND HISPANIC STUDENTS, AND FOR STUDENTS WITH LOWER ACADEMIC PROFICIENCY OR BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTORS. ONWARD WE LEARN'S LARGEST CUMULATIVE GAINS OCCURRED BECAUSE FEWER STUDENTS "FELL OFF" AT KEY TRANSITION POINTS FROM 6TH GRADE THROUGH POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.

    Expenses $814,417 · Grants $814,417

  • ONWARD WE LEARN FAFSA STUDENT SUPPORT: ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MILESTONES IN THE ONWARD WE LEARN PROGRAM IS A STUDENT'S SUBMISSION OF THE FAFSA FORM (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID). FAFSA COMPLETION IS PREDOMINANTLY A 12TH GRADE ACTIVITY, BUT IT IS OFTEN DISCUSSED AND HIGHLIGHTED THROUGHOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE. IN FY 2025, ONWARD SUPPORTED THE COMPLETION NEARLY 400 FAFSA FORMS. THIS INCLUDED AN 84% FAFSA COMPLETION RATE. ONWARD WE LEARN CONTINUED TO BE A STATEWIDE LEADER IN FAFSA SUPPORT AND SUPPORTING ALL TYPES OF FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHALLENGES IN NAVIGATING THE FINANCIAL AID SYSTEM.

    Expenses $133,561

  • THE SUCCESS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM PRIMARILY LIES IN OUR SEAMLESS SYSTEM OF STEADY ADULT SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS FROM GRADE 6 TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. WE PLACE A TEAM OF 25 FULL-TIME MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL ADVISORS IN 35 SCHOOLS IN OUR TARGET DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR TO PERSONALIZE THE COLLEGE-BOUND EXPERIENCE FOR THE STUDENTS IN OUR PROGRAMS. THESE ADVISORS FORGE RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS, ENCOURAGE THEM TO PURSUE HIGH ACADEMIC GOALS AND RUN VARIOUS AFTER-SCHOOL, WEEKEND, AND SCHOOL VACATION AND SUMMER PROGRAMS TO MEET STUDENTS' ACADEMIC, PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, COLLEGE READINESS AND CAREER EXPLORATION NEEDS. ADVISORS ARE A DIVERSE GROUP OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHO UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT YOUNG PEOPLE AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES FACE, SINCE MANY OF THEM ARE ALUMNI OR COME FROM RHODE ISLAND'S URBAN COMMUNITIES.

    Expenses $2,836,146

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

Listed in Part VII

  • MEG GEOGHEGAN

    CHAIRPERSON

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MARY HALPIN

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KIM E PERRY

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • VICTOR CAPELLAN

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MAUREEN DIZON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • GREG EBNER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • NERI FRANCO

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • SCOTT GAUSLAND

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • ADI GOLDSTEIN

    DIRECTOR THRU JUNE 2025

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • HAL HORVAT

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • SIDNEY MACKY MCCLEARY

    DIRECTOR THRU JUNE 2025

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • JESSICA MARFEO

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • DERECK MENDOZA

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • EDWIN PACHECO

    DIRECTOR THRU JUNE 2025

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • RANIKA REYES

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • DR TAMMY WARNER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.3

  • ANDREW BRAMSON

    PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $235,345
    From this org
    $201,005
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,340
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $179,002
    Bonus
    $17,000
    Other
    $5,003
    Deferred
    $9,100
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,240
    Filer's total
    $235,345

  • SUSAN MANSOLILLO

    CHIEF FINANCIAL & ADMIN. OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $146,344
    From this org
    $139,054
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,290
    Hours/week
    35

  • ALEJANDRO MOLINA

    CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $142,661
    From this org
    $135,871
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,790
    Hours/week
    35

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. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 7
AN INDIVIDUAL INCLUDED IN SCHEDULE J, PART II RECEIVED A DISCRETIONARY PERFORMANCE BONUS DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2024, WHICH WAS INCLUDED IN COLUMN B(II) HEREIN AND IN THEIR 2024 FORM W-2, BOX 5, AS TAXABLE MEDICARE WAGES.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
16 June 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202621679349301852

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