SURGE INSTITUTE
EIN 47-1995566 · Education N.E.C. (B99)
What they do
THE SURGE INSTITUTE ("SURGE"), is AN ILLINOIS NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION THAT WAS FOUNDED IN OCTOBER 2014 IN RESPONSE to THE DEARTH of LEADERSHIP of COLOR AT THE DECISION-MAKING TABLES WITHIN EDUCATION. SURGE PROVIDES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES to INSTITUTIONS and INDIVIDUALS to CREATE A PIPELINE of DIVERSE LEADERS IN EDUCATION.
Are they doing good?
The public paperwork has several good signs. Now check whether the charity can show who it helped.
Here is the honest answer: A tax form shows money and paperwork. It cannot prove that people, animals, or the community were truly helped.
Good signs we looked for
IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.
Money report from 2024The charity has a recent tax report to read.
They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.
They name their leaders16 people are listed in the latest report.
You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.
Money made simple
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 $2,245,316 this year. Ask whether that was planned or caused by a one-time event.
Pay context: The highest compensation shown in this filing is $387,413 for CARMITA SEMAAN (FOUNDER AND CEO). Compare pay with organizations of similar size and complexity.
Bottom line: Good paperwork is a good sign—not proof. The best answer comes when the charity can show what it changed, who it helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.
Financial picture
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.
Money in and money out
Selected spending reported on the 990
Each amount is compared with total expenses separately. These categories can overlap, so they should not be added together as a pie chart.
See all reported dollar amounts
Leadership and board
Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.
People reported as paid
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 (16)
CARMITA SEMAANFOUNDER AND CEO
WILLIAM COLLINSCHIEF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
JANAIA NASHCHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER
ANDREA EVANSEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ACADEMY
TARASHAUN CAINEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BPN
TIARA WHEATLEYVP ALUMNI IMPACT
ULRIC SHANNONEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHICAGO
ALEX CANTUCOO (AS OF 01/25)
ANA MARTINEZ SHROPSHIREBOARD MEMBER
DARRYL COBBBOARD CHAIR
JEAN CLAUDE BRIZARDBOARD MEMBER
MARGARITA FLOREZ VASCONCELOSBOARD MEMBER
MARIA HEREDIABOARD MEMBER
MAX POLANERBOARD MEMBER
PAULA SNEEDBOARD TREASURER
TERESA WARD-MAUPIN THRU 824BOARD MEMBER
About this charity
- Recognized since
- January 2015
- Location
- 2045 W GRAND AVE STE B PMB 63441, CHICAGO, IL 606121577
- County
- Cook
- In care of
- CARMITA SEMAAN
- Primary officer
- CARMITA SEMAAN, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
How to reach them
Filing and classification
- Latest tax year
- 2024
- Tax period began
- July 1, 2024
- Return type
- 990
- Tax preparer
- RUBINBROWN LLP
- NTEE classification
- Education N.E.C. (B99)
- IRS tax category
- Education N.E.C.