THE COLLEGE INITIATIVE Charity Report

Tax-exempt status may be revoked

THE COLLEGE INITIATIVE

EIN 46-1308864 · Educational Services and Schools - Other

What they do

The College Initiative Provides College-capable, Low-income Students With The Tools and Mentorship They Need to Successfully Apply to and Succeed In College. The College Initiative Forms Partnerships With School Districts, Energetic Teachers, and College Student Volunteers to Ensure That Every Student Aspiring to Go to College Will Have The Opportunity to Do So.

Before you give

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This record may have an IRS status problem. Do not give until you verify it.

Plain answer: A tax form cannot prove that a charity is doing good. It can show how the charity says it spent its money—and point out questions you should ask.

Basic facts we verified

IRS warning checkThere may be a problem with its nonprofit status. Check before giving.

Money report from 2017The report may be old. Ask for a newer one.

They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.

They name their leaders8 people are listed in the latest report.

You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.

Money made simple

83.15%of revenue went to mission work72.3% of expenses · Program services

7.16%of revenue went to fundraising6.2% of expenses

$114.98spent for every $100 of revenueSpending was higher than revenue this year.

24.66%of revenue went to management and office costs21.4% of expenses

$0.37in assets for every $1 spent this yearSome assets cannot be spent right away.

100.0%of its money came from giftsOther money may come from services or investments.

Ask these three easy questions

Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.

Worth asking: Expenses exceeded revenue by $68,974 this year. Ask whether that was planned or caused by a one-time event.

Pay context: The highest compensation shown in this filing is $94,344 for GABRIEL FOTSING (DIRECTOR, FOUNDER AND CEO). Compare pay with organizations of similar size and complexity.

Bottom line: Do not decide from a name, mission statement, or tax status alone. Look at where the money went, then ask what changed, who was helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.

Money

Financial picture

Tax year 2017

A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.

$100revenue

How each $100 of revenue was used

The large number compares each expense with revenue. The smaller number shows its share of total expenses.

Total reported revenue$460,536

Mission workProgram services$382,95583.15% of revenue72.3% of expenses

ManagementOffice and general costs$113,57724.66% of revenue21.4% of expenses

FundraisingAsking for donations$32,9787.16% of revenue6.2% of expenses

Total expenses$529,510114.98% of revenue

Expenses were greater than revenue, so the colored ring fills the available $100 and the total above 100% is shown below.

Has the pattern changed?

Colored bars = expense mix: how each year’s expenses were divided. Total expenses vs. revenue shows whether the charity spent less or more than it received. The current filing is first.

YearExpense mixDetails

2017CurrentExpense mix: 72.3% mission · 21.4% management · 6.2% fundraisingTotal expenses: 114.98% of revenue

2016Expense mix: 77.3% mission · 15.4% management · 7.3% fundraisingTotal expenses: 100.65% of revenue

2015Expense mix: 75.4% mission · 13.6% management · 10.9% fundraisingTotal expenses: 155.95% of revenue

Money in and money out

Revenue$460,536

Expenses$529,510

Annual shortfall $68,974 Expenses were higher than revenue for this filing year.

Reported spending amounts

Mission work means the Form 990 category called program services. These are reported accounting categories—not an independent measurement of results.

Mission work (program services)$382,955 · 72.3% of expenses

Management and office costs$113,577 · 21.4% of expenses

Fundraising$32,978 · 6.2% of expenses

See all reported dollar amounts

Revenue$460,536

Expenses$529,510

Assets$197,522

Income$460,536

Contributions$460,521

Mission work (program services)$382,955

Fundraising$32,978

Management and general$113,577

Executive compensation (total)$92,307

Accounting fees$15,041

People

Leadership and board

Tax year 2017

Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.

People reported as paid

Person and titleCompensation

GABRIEL FOTSINGDIRECTOR, FOUNDER AND CEO · 50 hrs/week $94,344

Compensation alone does not tell whether pay is reasonable. Consider the charity’s size, work, location, and results.

See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (8)

GABRIEL FOTSINGDIRECTOR, FOUNDER AND CEO

AFSHAN LATIFBOARD MEMBER

ASHANTA EVANS BLACKWELLBOARD MEMBER

BRANDON ARRINDELLBOARD MEMBER

DIANE JALFONBOARD MEMBER

MATTHEW CLAIRBOARD MEMBER

NAJEE JOHNSONBOARD MEMBER

WAYNE CULBRETHBOARD DIRECTOR

About this charity

Location: 80 Monroe Ave STE 610, Memphis, TN 38103
County: Shelby
In care of: April Terrell
Primary officer: April Terrell, Executive Director

How to reach them

WebsiteVisit the charity’s website Phone(281) 900-3151 Officer phone(877) 829-5500

Filing and classification

Latest tax year: 2017
Tax period began: October 1, 2017
Return type: 990
Tax preparer: EASY OFFICE DBA JITASA
IRS tax category: Educational Services and Schools - Other
Revocation date: February 15, 2022