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MERIT AMERICA: Form 990, tax year 2021

View the entire original 990 at ProPublica ↗

Organization
MERIT AMERICA (EIN 84-2108762)
Tax period
2021-01-01 to 2021-12-31
Filed
2022-11-15
IRS object ID
202243199349318019
Schema version
2021v4.2
Source
Download XML · Original 990 at ProPublica

Every field in the e-filed return. Faint text is the IRS element name, for citing.

Return header ReturnHeader

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return2022-11-15T14:26:45-06:00ReturnTs
Tax Period End2021-12-31TaxPeriodEndDt

Preparer Firm PreparerFirmGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer Firm EIN910189318PreparerFirmEIN

Preparer Firm Name PreparerFirmName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1MOSS ADAMS LLPBusinessNameLine1Txt

Preparer US Address PreparerUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line121700 OXNARD ST STE 300AddressLine1Txt
CityWOODLAND HILLSCityNm
State AbbreviationCAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP91367ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return Type990ReturnTypeCd
Tax Period Begin2021-01-01TaxPeriodBeginDt

Filer Filer

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EIN842108762EIN

Business Name BusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1MERIT AMERICABusinessNameLine1Txt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name ControlMERIBusinessNameControlTxt
Phone9143103148PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1712 H STREET NE SUITE 1560AddressLine1Txt
CityWASHINGTONCityNm
State AbbreviationDCStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP20002ZIPCd

Business Officer BusinessOfficerGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonREBECCA TABERPersonNm
Person TitleCO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEOPersonTitleTxt
Phone9143103148PhoneNum
Signature2022-11-15SignatureDt
Discuss With Paid PreparerYes (1)DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd

Signing Officer SigningOfficerGrp

Person Full Name PersonFullName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Person FirstREBECCAPersonFirstNm
Person LastTABERPersonLastNm
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
SSN999009999SSN

Preparer Person PreparerPersonGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer PersonLAUREN A HAVERLOCKPreparerPersonNm
PTINP00545829PTIN
Phone8185771900PhoneNum
Preparation2022-11-15PreparationDt

Additional Filer Information AdditionalFilerInformation

Trusted Customer TrustedCustomerGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Trusted Customer3TrustedCustomerCd
Authentication Assurance LevelAAL1AuthenticationAssuranceLevelCd
Identity Assurance LevelIAL1IdentityAssuranceLevelCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Tax2021TaxYr
Build TS2022-09-23 18:48:47ZBuildTS

Form 990 IRS990

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Principal OfficerREBECCA TABER STAEHELINPrincipalOfficerNm

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1712 H STREET NE SUITE 1560AddressLine1Txt
CityWASHINGTONCityNm
State AbbreviationDCStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP20002ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Gross Receipts$11,449,992GrossReceiptsAmt
Group Return For Affiliates0GroupReturnForAffiliatesInd
Organization501c3Yes (X)Organization501c3Ind
Website AddressWWW.MERITAMERICA.ORG/WebsiteAddressTxt
Type Of Organization CorpYes (X)TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd
Formation2019FormationYr
Legal Domicile StateDCLegalDomicileStateCd
Activity Or MissionTO PROVIDE A PATH TO SKILLED CAREERS FOR THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WITHOUT COLLEGE DEGREES.ActivityOrMissionDesc
Voting Members Governing Body6VotingMembersGoverningBodyCnt
Voting Members Independent4VotingMembersIndependentCnt
Total Employee73TotalEmployeeCnt
Total Volunteers5TotalVolunteersCnt
Total Gross UBI$0TotalGrossUBIAmt
Net Unrelated Bus Txbl Incm$0NetUnrelatedBusTxblIncmAmt
PY Contributions Grants$5,498,057PYContributionsGrantsAmt
CY Contributions Grants$9,566,655CYContributionsGrantsAmt
PY Program Service Revenue$685,412PYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
CY Program Service Revenue$1,879,809CYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
PY Investment Income$1,499PYInvestmentIncomeAmt
CY Investment Income$3,528CYInvestmentIncomeAmt
PY Other Revenue$0PYOtherRevenueAmt
CY Other Revenue$0CYOtherRevenueAmt
PY Total Revenue$6,184,968PYTotalRevenueAmt
CY Total Revenue$11,449,992CYTotalRevenueAmt
PY Grants And Similar Paid$129,504PYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
CY Grants And Similar Paid$131,465CYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
PY Benefits Paid To Members$0PYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt
CY Benefits Paid To Members$0CYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt
PY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$2,469,004PYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
CY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$5,537,309CYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
PY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$0PYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$0CYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Fundraising Expense$371,536CYTotalFundraisingExpenseAmt
PY Other Expenses$859,475PYOtherExpensesAmt
CY Other Expenses$3,340,327CYOtherExpensesAmt
PY Total Expenses$3,457,983PYTotalExpensesAmt
CY Total Expenses$9,009,101CYTotalExpensesAmt
PY Revenues Less Expenses$2,726,985PYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
CY Revenues Less Expenses$2,440,891CYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
Total Assets BOY$10,125,832TotalAssetsBOYAmt
Total Assets EOY$16,787,375TotalAssetsEOYAmt
Total Liabilities BOY$4,709,389TotalLiabilitiesBOYAmt
Total Liabilities EOY$8,930,041TotalLiabilitiesEOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances BOY$5,416,443NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances EOY$7,857,334NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt
Info In Schedule O Part IIIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd
MissionTO PROVIDE A PATH TO SKILLED CAREERS FOR THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WITHOUT COLLEGE DEGREES.MissionDesc
Significant New Program Srvc0SignificantNewProgramSrvcInd
Significant Change0SignificantChangeInd
Expense$8,060,178ExpenseAmt
Grant$131,465GrantAmt
Revenue$1,879,809RevenueAmt
DescMISSION AND HISTORY:MERIT AMERICA IS A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION THAT CREATES SCALABLE PATHWAYS TO FAMILY-SUSTAINING CAREERS FOR AMERICANS WITHOUT COLLEGE DEGREES AND STUCK IN LOW-WAGE WORK. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES TO HELP TALENTED WORKERS, DISPROPORTIONATELY PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WOMEN, WHO ARE STUCK IN LOW-WAGE ROLES WITH NO WAY TO BUILD A BETTER LIFE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE FAST, FLEXIBLE PROGRAMS ARE BUILT FOR WORKING ADULTS TO LEARN THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO FIND A TECH CAREER AROUND THEIR WORK AND FAMILY SCHEDULE.THE ORGANIZATION STARTS BY ANALYZING TENS OF MILLIONS OF JOB POSTINGS TO IDENTIFY IN-DEMAND, HIGH-PAYING TECH CAREERS. BASED ON THIS ANALYSIS, MERIT AMERICA PARTNERS WITH INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED TECH TRAINING PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE THE SKILLS TRAINING NEEDED TO FIND A JOB IN AN IN-DEMAND INDUSTRY, WITH MEANINGFUL UPWARD MOBILITY. MERIT AMERICA COMBINES THIS FLEXIBLE ONLINE LEARNING WITH BEST-IN-CLASS PROFESSIONAL COACHING AND PEER SUPPORT. IN 2021, MERIT AMERICA EXPANDED THEIR ONLINE PROGRAM NATIONALLY. MERIT AMERICA'S PROGRAMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN 50 STATES.MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF MERIT AMERICA'S WORK. THE ORGANIZATION COLLECTS DATA ON AND CONTINUOUSLY MONITORS OUR LEARNERS SERVED, GRADUATION RATES, PLACEMENTS INTO NEW CAREERS, AND AVERAGE WAGE GAINS, AMONG MANY OTHER METRICS, TO CONFIRM OUR PROGRAM'S CONTINUED SUCCESS. IN 2021, THE PROGRAM SERVED 1,222 LEARNERS, MORE THAN 3X THE 366 LEARNERS SERVED IN 2020. MERIT AMERICA IS ON TRACK TO SURPASS THE ORIGINAL TARGET OF 3,000 LEARNERS IN 2022. GRADUATES EARNED AN AVERAGE OF $18,700 IN WAGE GAINS AFTER THE PROGRAM BASED ON AN ANALYSIS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA. OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, MERIT AMERICA ANTICIPATES SERVING 20,000 LEARNERS AND GENERATING OVER $1B IN WAGE GAINS.BRIDGESPAN COMPLETED AN INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS OF MERIT AMERICA'S SOCIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI). THEIR CONSERVATIVE ANALYSIS FOUND THAT BETWEEN 2018-2021, MERIT AMERICA DELIVERED AN ESTIMATED 11X SOCIAL ROI FOR EVERY $1 OF PHILANTHROPY. THIS MEANS FOR EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED IN MERIT AMERICA, THE ORGANIZATION GENERATED $11 IN WAGE GAINS. ACCORDING TO THE BRIDGESPAN ANALYSIS, MERIT AMERICA'S SOCIAL ROI IS ON TRACK TO REACH 47X BY 2030. MERIT AMERICA PARTNERS WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL EMPLOYERS TO INTERVIEW AND HIRE OUR PROGRAM GRADUATES. DURING 2021, WE DEVELOPED ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH EMPLOYERS AND CONTINUED TO GROW OUR EXISTING EMPLOYER PARTNERSHIPS. FOR EXAMPLE, MERIT AMERICA GREW OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH AMAZON CAREER CHOICE TO 55 LEARNERS IN 2021, A 22% INCREASE FROM 2020. THE ORGANIZATION IS ON TRACK TO SURPASS 800 AMAZON CAREER CHOICE LEARNERS IN 2022.IT IS MERIT AMERICA'S OBJECTIVE TO BUILD A SCALABLE PATHWAY FOR WORKERS WITHOUT 4-YEAR COLLEGE DEGREES TO JOIN THE MIDDLE CLASS THROUGH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.Desc
Total Program Service Expenses$8,060,178TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt
Described In Section501c3Yes (1)DescribedInSection501c3Ind
Schedule B RequiredYes (1)ScheduleBRequiredInd
Political Campaign Acty0PoliticalCampaignActyInd
Lobbying Activities0LobbyingActivitiesInd
Subject To Proxy Tax0SubjectToProxyTaxInd
Donor Advised Fund0DonorAdvisedFundInd
Conservation Easements0ConservationEasementsInd
Collections Of Art0CollectionsOfArtInd
Credit Counseling0CreditCounselingInd
Donor Rstr Or Quasi Endowments0DonorRstrOrQuasiEndowmentsInd
Report Land Building EquipmentYes (1)ReportLandBuildingEquipmentInd
Report Investments Other Sec0ReportInvestmentsOtherSecInd
Report Program Related Invst0ReportProgramRelatedInvstInd
Report Other Assets0ReportOtherAssetsInd
Report Other LiabilitiesYes (1)ReportOtherLiabilitiesInd
Include FIN48 FootnoteYes (1)IncludeFIN48FootnoteInd
Independent Audit Fincl StmtYes (1)IndependentAuditFinclStmtInd
Consolidated Audit Fincl Stmt0ConsolidatedAuditFinclStmtInd
School Operating0SchoolOperatingInd
Foreign Office0ForeignOfficeInd
Foreign Activities0ForeignActivitiesInd
More Than5000 K To Org0MoreThan5000KToOrgInd
More Than5000 K To Individuals0MoreThan5000KToIndividualsInd
Professional Fundraising0ProfessionalFundraisingInd
Fundraising Activities0FundraisingActivitiesInd
Gaming Activities0GamingActivitiesInd
Operate Hospital0OperateHospitalInd
Grants To Organizations0GrantsToOrganizationsInd
Grants To IndividualsYes (1)GrantsToIndividualsInd
Schedule J RequiredYes (1)ScheduleJRequiredInd
Tax Exempt Bonds0TaxExemptBondsInd
Engaged In Excess Benefit Trans0EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd
PY Excess Benefit Trans0PYExcessBenefitTransInd
Loan Outstanding0LoanOutstandingInd
Grant To Related Person0GrantToRelatedPersonInd
Business Rln With Org Mem0BusinessRlnWithOrgMemInd
Business Rln With Fam Mem0BusinessRlnWithFamMemInd
Business Rln With35 Ctrl Ent0BusinessRlnWith35CtrlEntInd
Deductible Non Cash Contri0DeductibleNonCashContriInd
Deductible Art Contribution0DeductibleArtContributionInd
Terminate Operations0TerminateOperationsInd
Partial Liquidation0PartialLiquidationInd
Disregarded Entity0DisregardedEntityInd
Related Entity0RelatedEntityInd
Related Organization Ctrl Ent0RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd
Trnsfr Exmpt Non Chrtbl Rltd Org0TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd
Activities Conducted Prtshp0ActivitiesConductedPrtshpInd
Schedule O RequiredYes (1)ScheduleORequiredInd
IRP Document94IRPDocumentCnt
IRP Document W2 G0IRPDocumentW2GCnt
Backup Wthld ComplianceYes (1)BackupWthldComplianceInd
Employee73EmployeeCnt
Employment Tax Returns FiledYes (1)EmploymentTaxReturnsFiledInd
Unrelated Bus Incm Over Limit0UnrelatedBusIncmOverLimitInd
Foreign Financial Account0ForeignFinancialAccountInd
Prohibited Tax Shelter Trans0ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd
Taxable Party Notification0TaxablePartyNotificationInd
Nondeductible Contributions0NondeductibleContributionsInd
Quid Pro Quo Contributions0QuidProQuoContributionsInd
Form8282 Property Disposed Of0Form8282PropertyDisposedOfInd
Rcv Fnds To Pay Prsnl Bnft Cntrct0RcvFndsToPayPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Pay Premiums Prsnl Bnft Cntrct0PayPremiumsPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Indoor Tanning Services0IndoorTanningServicesInd
Subj To Tax Rmnrtn Ex Prcht Pymt0SubjToTaxRmnrtnExPrchtPymtInd
Subject To Excs Tax Net Invst Inc0SubjectToExcsTaxNetInvstIncInd
Info In Schedule O Part VIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartVIInd
Governing Body Voting Members6GoverningBodyVotingMembersCnt
Independent Voting Member4IndependentVotingMemberCnt
Family Or Business Rln0FamilyOrBusinessRlnInd
Delegation Of Mgmt Duties0DelegationOfMgmtDutiesInd
Change To Org Documents0ChangeToOrgDocumentsInd
Material Diversion Or Misuse0MaterialDiversionOrMisuseInd
Members Or Stockholders0MembersOrStockholdersInd
Election Of Board Members0ElectionOfBoardMembersInd
Decisions Subject To Approva0DecisionsSubjectToApprovaInd
Minutes Of Governing BodyYes (1)MinutesOfGoverningBodyInd
Minutes Of CommitteesYes (1)MinutesOfCommitteesInd
Officer Mailing Address0OfficerMailingAddressInd
Local Chapters0LocalChaptersInd
Form990 Provided To Gvrn BodyYes (1)Form990ProvidedToGvrnBodyInd
Conflict Of Interest PolicyYes (1)ConflictOfInterestPolicyInd
Annual Disclosure Covered PrsnYes (1)AnnualDisclosureCoveredPrsnInd
Regular Monitoring EnfrcYes (1)RegularMonitoringEnfrcInd
Whistleblower PolicyYes (1)WhistleblowerPolicyInd
Document Retention PolicyYes (1)DocumentRetentionPolicyInd
Compensation Process CEOYes (1)CompensationProcessCEOInd
Compensation Process OtherYes (1)CompensationProcessOtherInd
Investment In Joint Venture0InvestmentInJointVentureInd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldCAStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldDCStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldMDStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldNJStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldNYStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldTXStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldVAStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldWAStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldWIStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
Upon RequestYes (X)UponRequestInd

Books In Care Of Detail BooksInCareOfDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonALYSIA ABRAMSPersonNm
Phone6154297467PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1712 H STREET NE SUITE 1560AddressLine1Txt
CityWASHINGTONCityNm
State AbbreviationDCStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP20002ZIPCd

Form990 Part VII Section A Form990PartVIISectionAGrp (11 entries)

TitleTitleTxtAverage Hours Per WeekAverageHoursPerWeekRtIndividual Trustee Or DirectorIndividualTrusteeOrDirectorIndOfficerOfficerIndReportable Comp From OrgReportableCompFromOrgAmtReportable Comp From Rltd OrgReportableCompFromRltdOrgAmtOther CompensationOtherCompensationAmtKey EmployeeKeyEmployeeIndHighest Compensated EmployeeHighestCompensatedEmployeeInd
REBECCA TABER STAEHELIN
CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO40.00Yes (X)Yes (X)$231,798$0$42,764
CONNOR DIEMAND-YAUMAN
CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO40.00Yes (X)Yes (X)$231,797$0$30,863
STEPHANIE CORNELL
DIRECTOR/SECRETARY/TREASUR1.00Yes (X)Yes (X)$0$0$0
JACK MARKELL
DIRECTOR (THRU 7/31/21)1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
NORMAN ATKINS
DIRECTOR (FROM 3/15/21)1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
JANICE BURNS
DIRECTOR (FROM 3/15/21)1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
YIN LU
DIRECTOR (FROM 12/1/21)1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
LEILA MAKARECHI
CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER40.00$200,129$0$38,216Yes (X)
JUMOKE BALOGUN
VICE PRESIDENT PROGRAM OPERATIONS40.00$141,826$0$24,852Yes (X)
RYAN OUELLETTE
MANAGING DIRECTOR, PROGRAM40.00$115,659$0$25,491Yes (X)
BENJAMIN OPHOVEN-BALDWIN
MANAGING DIRECTOR, GROWTH PRODUCT40.00$115,730$0$22,349Yes (X)
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Reportable Comp From Org$1,036,939TotalReportableCompFromOrgAmt
Tot Reportable Comp Rltd Org$0TotReportableCompRltdOrgAmt
Total Other Compensation$184,535TotalOtherCompensationAmt
Indiv Rcvd Greater Than100 K6IndivRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
Former Ofcr Employees Listed0FormerOfcrEmployeesListedInd
Total Comp Greater Than150 KYes (1)TotalCompGreaterThan150KInd
Compensation From Other Srcs0CompensationFromOtherSrcsInd

Contractor Compensation ContractorCompensationGrp (5 entries)

Address Line1ContractorAddress/USAddress/AddressLine1TxtCityContractorAddress/USAddress/CityNmState AbbreviationContractorAddress/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCdZIPContractorAddress/USAddress/ZIPCdServicesServicesDescCompensationCompensationAmt
THE BRIDGESPAN GROUP INC
2 COPLEY PLACEBOSTONMA02116MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES$215,000
TECH ELEVATOR INC
7100 EUCLID AVENUECLEVELANDOH44103JAVA CURRICULUM PROVIDER$185,500
3Q DIGITAL INC
25 E WASHINGTON STREETCHICAGOIL60602DIGITAL MARKETING SERVICES$147,858
RIGHT SIDE UP LLC
9901 BRODIE LANE SUITE 160 PMB515AUSTINTX78748DIGITAL MARKETING SERVICES$144,034
EDUFFICIENT LLC
6 FOREST AVENUEPARAMUSNJ07652ENROLLMENT MARKETING SERVICES$105,271
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Cntrct Rcvd Greater Than100 K5CntrctRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
Government Grants$305,037GovernmentGrantsAmt
All Other Contributions$9,261,618AllOtherContributionsAmt
Total Contributions$9,566,655TotalContributionsAmt

Program Service Revenue ProgramServiceRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
DescTUITION REPAYMENT/PLACEMENT FEESDesc
Business561499BusinessCd
Total Revenue Column$1,879,809TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$1,879,809RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Program Service Revenue$1,879,809TotalProgramServiceRevenueAmt

Investment Income InvestmentIncomeGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$3,528TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Exclusion$3,528ExclusionAmt

Total Revenue TotalRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$11,449,992TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$1,879,809RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
Unrelated Business Revenue$0UnrelatedBusinessRevenueAmt
Exclusion$3,528ExclusionAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Info In Schedule O Part IXYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartIXInd

Grants To Domestic Individuals GrantsToDomesticIndividualsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$131,465TotalAmt
Program Services$131,465ProgramServicesAmt

Comp Current Ofcr Directors CompCurrentOfcrDirectorsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$775,566TotalAmt
Program Services$501,735ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$65,639ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$208,192FundraisingAmt

Other Salaries And Wages OtherSalariesAndWagesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$3,661,674TotalAmt
Program Services$3,425,222ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$163,766ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$72,686FundraisingAmt

Pension Plan Contributions PensionPlanContributionsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$97,686TotalAmt
Program Services$86,452ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$5,050ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$6,184FundraisingAmt

Other Employee Benefits OtherEmployeeBenefitsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$621,196TotalAmt
Program Services$549,758ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$32,117ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$39,321FundraisingAmt

Payroll Taxes PayrollTaxesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$381,187TotalAmt
Program Services$337,351ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$19,707ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$24,129FundraisingAmt

Fees For Services Management FeesForServicesManagementGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$17,433TotalAmt
Program Services$17,433ProgramServicesAmt

Fees For Services Legal FeesForServicesLegalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$28,888TotalAmt
Management And General$28,888ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Fees For Services Accounting FeesForServicesAccountingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$79,025TotalAmt
Management And General$79,025ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Fees For Services Other FeesForServicesOtherGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,218,147TotalAmt
Program Services$1,081,527ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$135,802ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$818FundraisingAmt

Advertising AdvertisingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,360,633TotalAmt
Program Services$1,360,633ProgramServicesAmt

Office Expenses OfficeExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$258,569TotalAmt
Program Services$224,471ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$16,746ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$17,352FundraisingAmt

Information Technology InformationTechnologyGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$217,283TotalAmt
Program Services$215,141ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$2,142ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Occupancy OccupancyGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,866TotalAmt
Program Services$1,646ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$77ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$143FundraisingAmt

Travel TravelGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$26,157TotalAmt
Program Services$23,149ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$1,352ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$1,656FundraisingAmt

Conferences Meetings ConferencesMeetingsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$5,795TotalAmt
Program Services$5,128ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$300ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$367FundraisingAmt

Depreciation Depletion DepreciationDepletionGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$8,000TotalAmt
Management And General$8,000ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Insurance InsuranceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$5,330TotalAmt
Management And General$5,330ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Other Expenses OtherExpensesGrp (3 entries)

DescDescTotalTotalAmtProgram ServicesProgramServicesAmtManagement And GeneralManagementAndGeneralAmtFundraisingFundraisingAmt
CURRICULUM FOR PROGRAMS$89,448$89,448
EMPLOYEE & DONOR NEEDS$12,884$12,884
COMMUNICATION SUPPORT$10,869$9,619$562$688

Total Functional Expenses TotalFunctionalExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$9,009,101TotalAmt
Program Services$8,060,178ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$577,387ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$371,536FundraisingAmt

Cash Non Interest Bearing CashNonInterestBearingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$7,743,042BOYAmt
EOY$11,377,397EOYAmt

Pledges And Grants Receivable PledgesAndGrantsReceivableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$1,743,902BOYAmt
EOY$4,450,000EOYAmt

Accounts Receivable AccountsReceivableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$462,159BOYAmt
EOY$170,320EOYAmt

Oth Notes Loans Receivable Net OthNotesLoansReceivableNetGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$136,248BOYAmt
EOY$456,422EOYAmt

Prepaid Expenses Defrd Charges PrepaidExpensesDefrdChargesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$40,481BOYAmt
EOY$196,779EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Land Bldg Equip Cost Or Other Bss$58,498LandBldgEquipCostOrOtherBssAmt
Land Bldg Equip Accum Deprec$8,041LandBldgEquipAccumDeprecAmt

Land Bldg Equip Basis Net LandBldgEquipBasisNetGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$0BOYAmt
EOY$50,457EOYAmt

Other Assets Total OtherAssetsTotalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$0BOYAmt
EOY$86,000EOYAmt

Total Assets TotalAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$10,125,832BOYAmt
EOY$16,787,375EOYAmt

Accounts Payable Accr Expnss AccountsPayableAccrExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$122,117BOYAmt
EOY$454,048EOYAmt

Deferred Revenue DeferredRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$0BOYAmt
EOY$560,416EOYAmt

Unsecured Notes Loans Payable UnsecuredNotesLoansPayableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$4,555,037BOYAmt
EOY$6,500,000EOYAmt

Other Liabilities OtherLiabilitiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$32,235BOYAmt
EOY$1,415,577EOYAmt

Total Liabilities TotalLiabilitiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$4,709,389BOYAmt
EOY$8,930,041EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Organization Follows FASB117Yes (X)OrganizationFollowsFASB117Ind

No Donor Restriction Net Assets NoDonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$1,242,905BOYAmt
EOY$3,368,922EOYAmt

Donor Restriction Net Assets DonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$4,173,538BOYAmt
EOY$4,488,412EOYAmt

Total Net Assets Fund Balance TotalNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$5,416,443BOYAmt
EOY$7,857,334EOYAmt

Tot Liab Net Assets Fund Balance TotLiabNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$10,125,832BOYAmt
EOY$16,787,375EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Reconcilation Revenue Expnss$2,440,891ReconcilationRevenueExpnssAmt
Other Changes In Net Assets$0OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt
Info In Schedule O Part XIIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartXIIInd
Method Of Accounting AccrualYes (X)MethodOfAccountingAccrualInd
Accountant Compile Or Review0AccountantCompileOrReviewInd
FS AuditedYes (1)FSAuditedInd

FS Audited Basis FSAuditedBasisGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Separate Basis Fincl StmtYes (X)SeparateBasisFinclStmtInd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Audit CommitteeYes (1)AuditCommitteeInd
Federal Grant Audit Required0FederalGrantAuditRequiredInd

Schedule A IRS990ScheduleA

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Public Organization170Yes (X)PublicOrganization170Ind

Gifts Grants Contri Rcvd170 GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$2,706,328CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$5,498,057CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$9,566,655CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$17,771,040TotalAmt

Total Calendar Year170 TotalCalendarYear170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$2,706,328CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$5,498,057CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$9,566,655CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$17,771,040TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Substantial Contributors Tot$1,774,874SubstantialContributorsTotAmt
Public Support Total170$15,996,166PublicSupportTotal170Amt

Gross Investment Income170 GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$1,499CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$3,528CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$5,027TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Support$17,776,067TotalSupportAmt
Gross Receipts Rltd Activities$2,565,221GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt
First5 Years170Yes (X)First5Years170Ind

Schedule B IRS990ScheduleB

Contributor Information ContributorInformationGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
ContributorRESTRICTEDContributorNum

Contributor Business Name ContributorBusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1RESTRICTEDBusinessNameLine1

Contributor US Address ContributorUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1RESTRICTEDAddressLine1
Address Line2RESTRICTEDAddressLine2
CityRESTRICTEDCity
StateRESTRICTEDState
ZIP CodeRESTRICTEDZIPCode
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total ContributionsRESTRICTEDTotalContributionsAmt

Schedule D IRS990ScheduleD

Equipment EquipmentGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$58,498OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$8,041DepreciationAmt
Book Value$50,457BookValueAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Book Value Land Buildings$50,457TotalBookValueLandBuildingsAmt

Other Liabilities Org OtherLiabilitiesOrgGrp (2 entries)

DescDescAmtAmt
BREX$174,077
REFUNDABLE ADVANCE$1,241,500
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Liability$1,415,577TotalLiabilityAmt
Footnote TextYes (X)FootnoteTextInd
Total Rev Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$11,447,979TotalRevEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Revenue Not Reported$0RevenueNotReportedAmt
Revenue Subtotal$11,447,979RevenueSubtotalAmt
Other Revenues Not Included$2,013OtherRevenuesNotIncludedAmt
Revenue Not Reported Fincl Stmt$2,013RevenueNotReportedFinclStmtAmt
Total Revenue Per Form990$11,449,992TotalRevenuePerForm990Amt
Tot Expns Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$9,007,088TotExpnsEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Expenses Not Reported$0ExpensesNotReportedAmt
Expenses Subtotal$9,007,088ExpensesSubtotalAmt
Other Expenses Not Included$2,013OtherExpensesNotIncludedAmt
Expenses Not Rpt Fincl Stmt$2,013ExpensesNotRptFinclStmtAmt
Total Expenses Per Form990$9,009,101TotalExpensesPerForm990Amt

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (3 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
PART X, LINE 2:MERIT AMERICA IS A NONPROFIT DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ("D.C.") CORPORATION AND IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE ("IRC") AND UNDER D.C. CODE TITLE 29, CHAPTER 4, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT OF UNRELATED BUSINESS TAXABLE INCOME AS DEFINED UNDER IRC SECTIONS 511 THROUGH 515. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, NO PROVISION FOR UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME TAXES IS REQUIRED. THE ORGANIZATION HAS NO UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS OR LIABILITIES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020. THE ORGANIZATION, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF FASB ASC TOPIC 740, INCOME TAXES, HAD NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS REQUIRING ACCRUAL AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020.
PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS:NEGATIVE INTEREST EXPENSE RECLASS 2,013.
PART XII, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS:NEGATIVE INTEREST EXPENSE RECLASS 2,013.

Schedule I IRS990ScheduleI

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Grant Records MaintainedYes (1)GrantRecordsMaintainedInd

Grants Other Asst To Indiv In US GrantsOtherAsstToIndivInUSGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Grant TypeSTUDENT SUPPORT AND STIPENDSGrantTypeTxt
Recipient197RecipientCnt
Cash Grant$131,465CashGrantAmt

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form And Line ReferencePART I, LINE 2:FormAndLineReferenceDesc
ExplanationTHE CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER WORKS WITH THE CO-CEOS TO SELECT FUNDERS WITH INTEREST AND PASSION ABOUT MERIT AMERICA'S MISSION. THE GRANT APPLICATION INCLUDES A DETAILED BUDGET OF HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE SPENT. THE GRANT IS TRACKED ON A GRANT SCHEDULE SPREADSHEET AND MONITORED REGULARLY. ONCE THE GRANT FUNDS HAVE EITHER BEEN AWARDED OR RECEIVED, THE FINANCE TEAM BEGINS TRACKING THE REVENUE AND EXPENSES IN THE GENERAL LEDGER. THE FINANCE TEAM ALLOCATES COSTS TO THE GRANT IN ACCORDANCE WITH GRANT SPECIFICATIONS AND TERMS. THE GRANTS TEAM PAYS CLOSE ATTENTION TO REPORTING DATES AND WORKS WITH THE FINANCE TEAM TO SUBMIT ACCURATE AND TIMELY REPORTING OF GRANT SPENDING TO THE FUNDER.ExplanationTxt

Schedule J IRS990ScheduleJ

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Compensation SurveyYes (X)CompensationSurveyInd
Board Or Committee ApprovalYes (X)BoardOrCommitteeApprovalInd
Severance Payment0SeverancePaymentInd
Supplemental Nonqual Rtr Plan0SupplementalNonqualRtrPlanInd
Equity Based Comp Arrngm0EquityBasedCompArrngmInd
Comp Based On Revenue Of Flng Org0CompBasedOnRevenueOfFlngOrgInd
Comp Bsd On Rev Related Orgs0CompBsdOnRevRelatedOrgsInd
Comp Bsd Net Earns Flng Org0CompBsdNetEarnsFlngOrgInd
Comp Bsd Net Earns Rltd Orgs0CompBsdNetEarnsRltdOrgsInd
Any Non Fixed Payments0AnyNonFixedPaymentsInd
Initial Contract Exception0InitialContractExceptionInd

Rltd Org Officer Trst Key Empl RltdOrgOfficerTrstKeyEmplGrp (4 entries)

TitleTitleTxtBase Compensation Filing OrgBaseCompensationFilingOrgAmtCompensation Based On Rltd OrgsCompensationBasedOnRltdOrgsAmtBonus Filing OrganizationBonusFilingOrganizationAmountBonus Related OrganizationsBonusRelatedOrganizationsAmtOther Compensation Filing OrgOtherCompensationFilingOrgAmtOther Compensation Rltd OrgsOtherCompensationRltdOrgsAmtDeferred Compensation Flng OrgDeferredCompensationFlngOrgAmtDeferred Comp Rltd OrgsDeferredCompRltdOrgsAmtNontaxable Benefits Filing OrgNontaxableBenefitsFilingOrgAmtNontaxable Benefits Rltd OrgsNontaxableBenefitsRltdOrgsAmtTotal Compensation Filing OrgTotalCompensationFilingOrgAmtTotal Compensation Rltd OrgsTotalCompensationRltdOrgsAmtComp Report Prior990 Filing OrgCompReportPrior990FilingOrgAmtComp Report Prior990 Rltd OrgsCompReportPrior990RltdOrgsAmt
REBECCA TABER STAEHELIN
CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO$188,778$0$43,020$0$0$0$7,067$0$35,697$0$274,562$0$0$0
CONNOR DIEMAND-YAUMAN
CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO$189,782$0$42,015$0$0$0$6,924$0$23,939$0$262,660$0$0$0
LEILA MAKARECHI
CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER$159,454$0$40,675$0$0$0$6,158$0$32,058$0$238,345$0$0$0
JUMOKE BALOGUN
VICE PRESIDENT PROGRAM OPERATIONS$137,806$0$4,020$0$0$0$4,253$0$20,599$0$166,678$0$0$0

Schedule O IRS990ScheduleO

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (6 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11BTHE CONTROLLER REVIEWS THE 990 AND COMPARES TO THE GENERAL LEDGER OF THE ORGANIZATION TO ENSURE DATA INTEGRITY. THE 990 IS RECONCILED TO THE GENERAL LEDGER OF THE ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING THE TRIAL BALANCE, THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION, AND THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES. ADDITIONALLY, THE 990 IS RECONCILED TO THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO ENSURE DATA INTEGRITY AND CONSISTENCY. ALL QUESTIONS ON THE 990 ARE REVIEWED TO ENSURE THAT THE APPROPRIATE ANSWERS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED. IF EDITS ARE NEEDED ON THE 990, THE CONTROLLER REQUESTS FROM THE TAX TEAM. ONCE THE 990 IS COMPLETE WITH NO ERRORS, THE CONTROLLER SHARES WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. ONCE APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE 990 IS RECOMMENDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE 990 MUST BE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRIOR TO FILING WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS). ONCE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE CONTROLLER WILL NOTIFY THE TAX TEAM THAT THE 990 IS READY TO BE FILED WITH THE IRS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12CMERIT AMERICA INCLUDES A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IN THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK, WHICH IS GIVEN TO ALL NEW EMPLOYEES TO READ. EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS TASK, WHICH IS MANAGED BY A WORKBOARD SOFTWARE THAT TRACKS THE TIME AND DATE COMPLETED.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15THE ORGANIZATION USES A THIRD-PARTY SALARY SURVEY TO RESEARCH SALARY RANGES IN THE NONPROFIT INDUSTRY. THE CO-CEOS MEET WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DISCUSS AND APPROVE ALL COMPENSATION. THE CO-CEO'S RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM THE MEETING PRIOR TO THEIR SALARIES BEING APPROVED. ALL APPROVED COMPENSATION AMOUNTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET WHICH MUST BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.
FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11GADMISSIONS & GROWTH SUPPORT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 318,558. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 318,558. DIGITAL MARKETING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 347,887. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 347,887. HR SUPPORT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 135,134. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 135,134. IT TECH ADVISORY & LEARNER SUPPORT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 77,187. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 77,187. JAVA INSTRUCTOR: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 107,650. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 107,650. PARTNERSHIP CONTRACTORS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 161,569. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 161,569. PROGRAM SUPPORT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 52,019. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 52,019. STRATEGY & DATA: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 5,215. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 5,215. OTHER PROFESSIONAL FEES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 11,442. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 668. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 818. TOTAL EXPENSES 12,928.
FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C:MERIT AMERICA'S FINANCE COMMITTEE IS ALSO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUDIT AND PERIODIC REVIEW OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THIS COMMITTEE WAS INVOLVED IN THE DECISION TO HIRE AN OUTSIDE AUDIT FIRM AND AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT IN 2020. A CONTROLLER FOR THE ORGANIZATION WAS HIRED IN MARCH 2021. THIS POSITION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WORKING WITH THE AUDITORS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN PREPARATION OF AND FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE FINANCIAL AUDIT AND FORM 990.