2022-11-15T14:26:45-06:00 2021-12-31 910189318 MOSS ADAMS LLP 21700 OXNARD ST STE 300 WOODLAND HILLS CA 91367 990 2021-01-01 842108762 MERIT AMERICA MERI 9143103148 712 H STREET NE SUITE 1560 WASHINGTON DC 20002 REBECCA TABER CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO 9143103148 2022-11-15 1 REBECCA TABER 999009999 LAUREN A HAVERLOCK P00545829 8185771900 2022-11-15 3 AAL1 IAL1 2021 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z REBECCA TABER STAEHELIN 712 H STREET NE SUITE 1560 WASHINGTON DC 20002 11449992 0 X WWW.MERITAMERICA.ORG/ X 2019 DC TO PROVIDE A PATH TO SKILLED CAREERS FOR THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WITHOUT COLLEGE DEGREES. 6 4 73 5 0 0 5498057 9566655 685412 1879809 1499 3528 0 0 6184968 11449992 129504 131465 0 0 2469004 5537309 0 0 371536 859475 3340327 3457983 9009101 2726985 2440891 10125832 16787375 4709389 8930041 5416443 7857334 X TO PROVIDE A PATH TO SKILLED CAREERS FOR THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WITHOUT COLLEGE DEGREES. 0 0 8060178 131465 1879809 MISSION 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. 8060178 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 94 0 1 73 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 CA DC MD NJ NY TX VA WA WI X ALYSIA ABRAMS 6154297467 712 H STREET NE SUITE 1560 WASHINGTON DC 20002 REBECCA TABER STAEHELIN CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO 40.00 X X 231798 0 42764 CONNOR DIEMAND-YAUMAN CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO 40.00 X X 231797 0 30863 STEPHANIE CORNELL DIRECTOR/SECRETARY/TREASUR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JACK MARKELL DIRECTOR (THRU 7/31/21) 1.00 X 0 0 0 NORMAN ATKINS DIRECTOR (FROM 3/15/21) 1.00 X 0 0 0 JANICE BURNS DIRECTOR (FROM 3/15/21) 1.00 X 0 0 0 YIN LU DIRECTOR (FROM 12/1/21) 1.00 X 0 0 0 LEILA MAKARECHI CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER 40.00 X 200129 0 38216 JUMOKE BALOGUN VICE PRESIDENT PROGRAM OPERATIONS 40.00 X 141826 0 24852 RYAN OUELLETTE MANAGING DIRECTOR, PROGRAM 40.00 X 115659 0 25491 BENJAMIN OPHOVEN-BALDWIN MANAGING DIRECTOR, GROWTH PRODUCT 40.00 X 115730 0 22349 1036939 0 184535 6 0 1 0 THE BRIDGESPAN GROUP INC 2 COPLEY PLACE BOSTON MA 02116 MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES 215000 TECH ELEVATOR INC 7100 EUCLID AVENUE CLEVELAND OH 44103 JAVA CURRICULUM PROVIDER 185500 3Q DIGITAL INC 25 E WASHINGTON STREET CHICAGO IL 60602 DIGITAL MARKETING SERVICES 147858 RIGHT SIDE UP LLC 9901 BRODIE LANE SUITE 160 PMB515 AUSTIN TX 78748 DIGITAL MARKETING SERVICES 144034 EDUFFICIENT LLC 6 FOREST AVENUE PARAMUS NJ 07652 ENROLLMENT MARKETING SERVICES 105271 5 305037 9261618 9566655 TUITION REPAYMENT/PLACEMENT FEES 561499 1879809 1879809 1879809 3528 3528 11449992 1879809 0 3528 X 131465 131465 775566 501735 65639 208192 3661674 3425222 163766 72686 97686 86452 5050 6184 621196 549758 32117 39321 381187 337351 19707 24129 17433 17433 28888 28888 79025 79025 1218147 1081527 135802 818 1360633 1360633 258569 224471 16746 17352 217283 215141 2142 1866 1646 77 143 26157 23149 1352 1656 5795 5128 300 367 8000 8000 5330 5330 CURRICULUM FOR PROGRAMS 89448 89448 EMPLOYEE & DONOR NEEDS 12884 12884 COMMUNICATION SUPPORT 10869 9619 562 688 9009101 8060178 577387 371536 7743042 11377397 1743902 4450000 462159 170320 136248 456422 40481 196779 58498 8041 0 50457 0 86000 10125832 16787375 122117 454048 0 560416 4555037 6500000 32235 1415577 4709389 8930041 X 1242905 3368922 4173538 4488412 5416443 7857334 10125832 16787375 2440891 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2706328 5498057 9566655 17771040 2706328 5498057 9566655 17771040 1774874 15996166 1499 3528 5027 17776067 2565221 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 58498 8041 50457 50457 BREX 174077 REFUNDABLE ADVANCE 1241500 1415577 X 11447979 0 11447979 2013 2013 11449992 9007088 0 9007088 2013 2013 9009101 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. 1 STUDENT SUPPORT AND STIPENDS 197 131465 PART I, LINE 2: THE 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. X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 REBECCA TABER STAEHELIN CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO 188778 0 43020 0 0 0 7067 0 35697 0 274562 0 0 0 CONNOR DIEMAND-YAUMAN CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO 189782 0 42015 0 0 0 6924 0 23939 0 262660 0 0 0 LEILA MAKARECHI CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER 159454 0 40675 0 0 0 6158 0 32058 0 238345 0 0 0 JUMOKE BALOGUN VICE PRESIDENT PROGRAM OPERATIONS 137806 0 4020 0 0 0 4253 0 20599 0 166678 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE 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 12C MERIT 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 15 THE 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 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G ADMISSIONS & 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.