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CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR EDUCATOR PREPARATION AND INNOVATION INC

Cite this

Plain text CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR EDUCATOR PREPARATION AND INNOVATION INC. Strategy Studio, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2022–2024. https://strategystudio.org/org/384190832. Retrieved 2026-10-19.

APA Strategy Studio. (n.d.). CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR EDUCATOR PREPARATION AND INNOVATION INC [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2022–2024]. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://strategystudio.org/org/384190832

MLA “CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR EDUCATOR PREPARATION AND INNOVATION INC.” Strategy Studio, tax years 2022–2024, https://strategystudio.org/org/384190832. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-19; covers tax years 2022–2024. Data: Strategy Studio, CC BY 4.0.

2024 · Form 990 · revenue $9.7M · expenses $6.9M · assets $5.3M

Also known as
PREPARATION AND INNOVATION INC
EIN
38-4190832
Address
PO BOX 290250, COLUMBIA, SC 29229-0005
Website
HTTPS://EPIPATHWAYS.ORG
NTEE code
B99
Subsection
501(c)(3)
Ruling year
2022
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

THE CENTER'S MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN THE TEACHING WORKFORCE THROUGH JOB- EMBEDDED LEARNING, INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING, AND ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION SUPPORT-ENSURING STUDENTS IN COMMUNITIES FACING CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGES, IN PARTICULAR, HAVE ACCESS TO WELL-PREPARED, EFFECTIVE EDUCATORS.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

2 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Damara H Mitchell CEO2023-2024 $102,917$102,917 1
Dr Dmara Hightower Michell (former) CEO2022 $41,250$41,250 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

3 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Jamie Devine SECRETARY2023-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Laronda Johnson BOARD CHAIR2023-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Mamie Shippy TREASURER2023-2024 2 $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 4 people listed · 1 paid, $103K · 11 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
DAMARA H MITCHELL CEO40 $102,917$0$0 $102,9171
JAMIE DEVINE SECRETARY2 $0$0$0 $01
LARONDA JOHNSON BOARD CHAIR2 $0$0$0 $01
MAMIE SHIPPY TREASURER2 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 4 people listed · none paid · 11 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JAMIE DEVINE SECRETARY2 $0$0$0 $01
LARONDA JOHNSON BOARD CHAIR2 $0$0$0 $01
MAMIE SHIPPY TREASURER2 $0$0$0 $01
DAMARA H MITCHELL CEO20 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 1 person listed · 1 paid, $41K · 4 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
DR DMARA HIGHTOWER MICHELL CEO40 $41,250$0$0 $41,2501

Highest-paid independent contractors

No independent contractors reported.

Who the money went to

Grants this organization reported paying: Schedule I Part II of the Form 990, or the grants-paid list on the 990-PF. Open a year for every recipient. Recipients link to their own page when the grant names an EIN we have (990-PF grants list no EIN, so those link only on an exact, unique name and state). Grants to individuals are counted; their names are not shown.

2023 · 1 grant to organizations · $1.3M

Negative amounts are returned or refunded grants; they are listed last and left out of the totals of grants paid.

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-09-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$9,747,337$6,887,330 $5,292,442$4,679,603 $5,671,232$4,076,105 $102,91711-
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$5,004,871$4,659,320 $1,489,512$777,824 $738,339$4,266,532 -11-
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$2,134,789$1,899,203 $266,643$266,643 $2,134,789$0 $78,7504-

Funders of this organization

Not reported: no grants to this organization appear in the filings we have (tax years 2010 to 2025).

Similar organizations

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
HOLY TRINITY CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INCSCB99 $4,894,495$5,383,540 HEAD OF SCHOOL$102,081 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
PEE DEE MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES EDUCATION CONSORTIUMSCB99 $6,025,453$4,531,324 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$259,485 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
CAROLINA VOYAGER CHARTER SCHOOLSCB99 $7,140,913$7,382,123 SCHOOL LEADER$137,779 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
ODYSSEY ONLINE LEARNINGSCB99 $5,742,394$5,396,206 EXECUTIVE DI$166,219 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
ADVOCATES FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION INCLAB99 $10,059,665$10,858,617 HEAD OF SCHOOL$175,622 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
FPF EDUCATION AND INNOVATION FOUNDATIONDCB99 $9,862,821$14,356,624 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER$808,693 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
ROCHESTER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH INCNYB99 $5,338,099$1,162,183 EXECUTIVE DI$166,875 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
APPLETREE INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION INNOVATION INCDCB99 $19,006,059$20,440,008 PRESIDENT &$334,085 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP FOUNDATIONCAB99 $7,604,039$7,179,426 Immigration Director$113,920 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
IOWA ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN INCIAB99 $11,050,182$10,577,590 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$117,425 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
INNOVATIVE EDUCATION MANAGEMENT INCCAB99 $8,311,953$5,859,470 CBO$205,968 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
INSTITUTE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION INCINB99 $14,632,100$15,610,907 PRESIDENT$223,234 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
NORTHERN KENTUCKY COOPERATIVE FOR E DUCATIONAL SERVICES INCKYB99 $18,643,891$16,390,500 Executive Director$204,501 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
LABORATORY SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGES CHARTER SCHOOLPAB99 $9,254,900$10,699,806 CEO$404,305 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
ASSOCIATION FOR WALDORF EDUCATION IN SAN DIEGOCAB99 $6,394,957$6,696,936 Administrator$44,827 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
CENTER FOR EXPANDING LEADERSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY INCILB99 $5,292,549$3,440,730 CHIEF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT OFFICER$226,727 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
VISION PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL INCTNB99 $5,982,973$4,967,914 School Director$127,585 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER ASSOCIATION OF INDIANAPOLIS INCORPORATEDINB99 $7,921,864$8,354,523 CEO$234,146 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA FOUNDATION INCNCB99 $7,905,021$6,703,893 DIRECTOR$456,214 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
NATIONAL MATH AND SCIENCE INITIATIVE INCTXB99 $13,308,992$16,817,650 CEO$460,752 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
BUCK INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONCAB99 $12,402,762$14,158,599 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER$402,314 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
ACCREDITATION REVIEW COMMISSION ON EDUCATION FOR THE PHYSICIAN ASSISGAB99 $10,043,798$8,125,870 PRESIDENT AND CEO$441,831 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
PRIZMAH CENTER FOR JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS INCNYB99 $9,168,239$9,134,353 EX-OFFICIO, CEO$486,091 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
POPULATION MEDIA CENTER INCVTB99 $9,408,193$9,960,643 PRESIDENT EMERITUS$312,342 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
ROBOTICS EDUCATION AND COMPETITION FOUNDATION INCTXB99 $18,614,720$18,632,611 Chairman & CEO$400,216 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
GATES FOUNDATION Private foundation$96,637,77084 92010–2024 WASHINGTON STATE CHARTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION; THE CALIFORNIA EDUCATION PARTNERS; TEACHING MATTERS INC; NORTHWEST COMMISSION ON COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES and 5 more
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER ATLANTA INC DAF sponsor$46,706,33811 22013–2024 EVERY STUDENT EVERY COMMUNITY INC; POPULATION MEDIA CENTER INC
FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS DAF sponsor$26,567,00013 32015–2024 POPULATION MEDIA CENTER INC; UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA FOUNDATION INC; PUBLIC SCHOOL FORUM OF NORTH CAROLINA INC
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$22,919,05945 102012–2024 INSTITUTE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION INC; TRINITY ACADEMY INCORPORATED; DOOR COUNTY YMCA INC; HOLY TRINITY CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INC and 6 more
JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS INC DAF sponsor$18,705,69317 22010–2024 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER ASSOCIATION OF INDIANAPOLIS INCORPORATED; INSTITUTE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION INC
SHIMON BEN JOSEPH FOUNDATION Private foundation$18,492,72340 22017–2024 PRIZMAH CENTER FOR JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS INC; M2 THE INSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENTIAL JEWISH EDUCATION
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$15,441,077165 372016–2024 RIEKES CENTER FOR HUMAN ENHANCEMENT; RHODE ISLAND EDUCATION COLLECTIVE INC; POPULATION MEDIA CENTER INC; NORTHERN FOREST CENTER INC and 33 more
GS DONOR ADVISED PHILANTHROPY FUND FOR WEALTH MANAGEMENT INC DAF sponsor$14,021,68227 112017–2024 WASHINGTON STATE CHARTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION; ASSOCIATION FOR PROGRESSIVE COMMUNICATIONS; NATIONAL MATH AND SCIENCE INITIATIVE INC; RIEKES CENTER FOR HUMAN ENHANCEMENT and 7 more
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$11,369,92132 112010–2024 FPF EDUCATION AND INNOVATION FOUNDATION; RIEKES CENTER FOR HUMAN ENHANCEMENT; THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY INC; NATIONAL MATH AND SCIENCE INITIATIVE INC and 7 more
JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND DAF sponsor$10,073,36324 52010–2024 M2 THE INSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENTIAL JEWISH EDUCATION; PRIZMAH CENTER FOR JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS INC; SERVICES FOR HIDDEN INTELLIGENCE INC; TEACHING MATTERS INC and 1 more
ROBERT & RUTH HALPERIN FOUNDATION Private foundation$9,170,0005 12020–2024 THE CALIFORNIA EDUCATION PARTNERS
THE HEISING-SIMONS FOUNDATION Private foundation$7,850,0005 12020–2024 THE CALIFORNIA EDUCATION PARTNERS
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor$7,640,50861 162014–2024 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA FOUNDATION INC; RIEKES CENTER FOR HUMAN ENHANCEMENT; HOLY TRINITY CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INC; PRIZMAH CENTER FOR JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS INC and 12 more
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$7,500,0001 12023–2023 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA FOUNDATION INC
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor$6,893,615111 232014–2024 RIEKES CENTER FOR HUMAN ENHANCEMENT; MIKVA CHALLENGE GRANT FOUNDATION INC; FPF EDUCATION AND INNOVATION FOUNDATION; NORTHERN FOREST CENTER INC and 19 more

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2024 · Form 990 · $6,887,330 spent · pay $919,548 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $3,166,598$2,103,874$1,062,724- 46.0%
Other (as described)EDUCATIONAL STIPENDS $1,153,681$1,153,681-- 16.8%
Other salaries and wages $748,600$681,973$66,627- 10.9%
Travel $669,003$559,502$109,501- 9.7%
Other (as described)LEARNING RESOURCES $513,791$513,791-- 7.5%
Office expenses $209,655$1,027$208,628- 3.0%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $102,917$30,875$72,042- 1.5%
Other (as described)DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS $81,460$355$81,105- 1.2%
All other expenses $65,785$29,800$35,985- 1.0%
Payroll taxes $61,815$49,089$12,726- 0.9%
Other (as described)MEALS & FOOD COSTS $41,299$19,979$21,320- 0.6%
Advertising and promotion $39,158-$39,158- 0.6%
Fees: legal $8,539-$8,539- 0.1%
Depreciation and depletion $8,161-$8,161- 0.1%
Fees: accounting $6,397-$6,397- 0.1%
Other employee benefits $6,216$5,884$332- 0.1%
Insurance $4,255-$4,255- 0.1%
Total$6,887,330100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $4,659,320 spent · pay $397,824 · grants $1,281,540 · events $38,330
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $2,120,772$2,093,605$27,167- 45.5%
Grants to US organizations and governments $1,281,540$1,281,540-- 27.5%
Other salaries and wages $329,469$55,072$274,397- 7.1%
Occupancy $227,078$227,078-- 4.9%
Travel $165,027$162,958$2,069- 3.5%
Other (as described)PARTICIPANT STIPENDS $144,432$144,432-- 3.1%
Other (as described)PROGRAM MATERIALS $79,794$79,794-- 1.7%
Payroll taxes $68,355$4,095$64,260- 1.5%
Other (as described)PROGRAM FOOD COSTS $44,046$44,046-- 0.9%
Information technology $42,076$17,960$24,116- 0.9%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $38,330$37,085$1,245- 0.8%
All other expenses $31,992$13,782$18,210- 0.7%
Fees: legal $27,787-$27,787- 0.6%
Other (as described)FILING PENALTIES $20,460-$20,460- 0.4%
Office expenses $19,480$5,347$14,133- 0.4%
Advertising and promotion $8,589-$8,589- 0.2%
Depreciation and depletion $5,407-$5,407- 0.1%
Fees: management $4,067-$4,067- 0.1%
Fees: accounting $619-$619- 0.0%
Total$4,659,320100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $1,899,203 spent · pay $116,671 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)PROFESSIONAL FESS $874,101-$874,101- 46.0%
Fees: legal $708,915$695,470$13,445- 37.3%
Travel $144,150$144,150-- 7.6%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $78,750-$78,750- 4.1%
Payroll taxes $37,921-$37,921- 2.0%
Office expenses $23,987$11,719$12,268- 1.3%
Advertising and promotion $22,745$21,935$810- 1.2%
Other (as described)EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT $7,250$7,250-- 0.4%
Fees: other services $1,274-$1,274- 0.1%
Insurance $110-$110- 0.0%
Total$1,899,203100%

View the filing