STRATEGY STUDIO / PUBLIC DATA EXPLORER

MAKING THE GRADE-HOPE FOR AFRICAN YOUTH

Cite this

Plain text MAKING THE GRADE-HOPE FOR AFRICAN YOUTH. Strategy Studio, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2015–2025. https://strategystudio.org/org/463448487. Retrieved 2026-10-19.

APA Strategy Studio. (n.d.). MAKING THE GRADE-HOPE FOR AFRICAN YOUTH [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2015–2025]. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://strategystudio.org/org/463448487

MLA “MAKING THE GRADE-HOPE FOR AFRICAN YOUTH.” Strategy Studio, tax years 2015–2025, https://strategystudio.org/org/463448487. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-19; covers tax years 2015–2025. Data: Strategy Studio, CC BY 4.0.

2025 · Form 990 · revenue $161K · expenses $181K · assets $324K

EIN
46-3448487
Address
2192 GREENCLIFF DR NE, ATLANTA, GA 30345-3665
Website
www.makingthegrade.info
NTEE code
Q33
Subsection
501(c)(3)
Ruling year
2014
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

Making the Grade supports high school and college education along with necessary living expenses for Ethiopian students studying both in Ethiopia and in the US.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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

None of the 8 people listed on these returns reported compensation from the organization. They are listed below.

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

8 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
Shelly Dollar President2015-2025 25 $0 reported 1
Mariham Abraham Treasurer2021-2025 3 $0 reported 1
Adam Winder Chief Financial Officer2019-2025 2 $0 reported 1
Obsinet Merid (former) President2021-2024 15 $0 reported 1
Thomas Andrews (former) Vice President2015-2020 2 $0 reported 1
Allen Dollar (former) Treasurer2015-2020 5 $0 reported 1
Russell Abney (former) Trustee2015-2018 2 $0 reported 1
Foster Corbin (former) VP/Secretary2015-2017 5 $0 reported 1

People by year

2025 · 3 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar President25 $0$0$0 $01
Mariham Abraham Treasurer3 $0$0$0 $01
Adam Winder Chief Financial Officer2 $0$0$0 $01
2024 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar CEO25 $0$0$0 $01
Obsinet Merid President15 $0$0$0 $01
Mariham Abraham Treasurer3 $0$0$0 $01
Adam Winder Chief Financial Officer2 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar CEO20 $0$0$0 $01
Obsinet Merid President20 $0$0$0 $01
Mariham Abraham Treasurer3 $0$0$0 $01
Adam Winder Chief Financial Officer2 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar CEO20 $0$0$0 $01
Obsinet Merid President20 $0$0$0 $01
Mariham Abraham Treasurer3 $0$0$0 $01
Adam Winder Chief Financial Officer2 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar CEO20 $0$0$0 $01
Obsinet Merid President20 $0$0$0 $01
Mariham Abraham Treasurer3 $0$0$0 $01
Adam Winder Chief Financial Officer2 $0$0$0 $01
2020 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar President/CEO20 $0$0$0 $01
Thomas Andrews Vice President2 $0$0$0 $01
Allen Dollar Treasurer5 $0$0$0 $01
Adam Winder Trustee2 $0$0$0 $01
2019 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar President/CEO20 $0$0$0 $01
Thomas Andrews Vice President2 $0$0$0 $01
Allen Dollar Treasurer5 $0$0$0 $01
Adam Winder Trustee2 $0$0$0 $01
2018 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar President/CEO20 $0$0$0 $01
Thomas Andrews Chief Financial Officer2 $0$0$0 $01
Allen Dollar Treasurer5 $0$0$0 $01
Russell Abney Trustee2 $0$0$0 $01
2017 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar President/CEO20 $0$0$0 $01
Thomas Andrews Chief Financial Officer2 $0$0$0 $01
Foster Corbin VP/Secretary5 $0$0$0 $01
Allen Dollar Treasurer5 $0$0$0 $01
Russell Abney Trustee2 $0$0$0 $01
2016 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar President/CEO20 $0$0$0 $01
Thomas Andrews Chief Financial Officer2 $0$0$0 $01
Foster Corbin VP/Secretary5 $0$0$0 $01
Allen Dollar Treasurer5 $0$0$0 $01
Russell Abney Trustee2 $0$0$0 $01
2015 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Shelly Dollar President/CEO20 $0$0$0 $01
Thomas Andrews Chief Financial Officer2 $0$0$0 $01
Foster Corbin VP/Secretary5 $0$0$0 $01
Allen Dollar Treasurer5 $0$0$0 $01
Russell Abney Trustee2 $0$0$0 $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

No independent contractors reported.

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
2025 · Form 990 period ending 2025-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$160,713$180,886 $324,422$324,422 $160,713$0 $0010
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$242,050$116,630 $344,595$344,595 $242,050$0 $0010
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$203,496$142,129 $219,175$219,175 $203,496$0 $0010
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$160,269$136,334 $157,808$157,808 $160,269$0 $0010
2021 · Form 990 period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$214,539$174,785 $133,873$133,873 $214,539$0 $0010
2020 · Form 990 period ending 2020-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$130,413$100,374 $94,119$94,119 $130,413$0 $0010
2019 · Form 990 period ending 2019-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$148,752$120,865 $64,080$64,080 $148,752$0 $0010
2018 · Form 990 period ending 2018-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$135,096$137,522 $36,193$36,193 $135,096$0 $0010
2017 · Form 990 period ending 2017-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$164,564$184,478 $38,619$38,619 $164,564$0 $0010
2016 · Form 990 period ending 2016-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$250,637$244,317 $58,533$58,533 $250,637$0 $0010
2015 · Form 990 period ending 2015-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$204,614$199,821 $52,213$52,213 $204,614$0 $0010

Funders of this organization

5 grantors reported grants to this organization, $554,322 in all, tax years 2019 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
PAYPAL CHARITABLE GIVING FUND DAF sponsor Exact 2020-2024 5$284,912 2024$118,840
show
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor Exact 2021-2024 4$220,385 2024$70,200
show
FORGOOD INC DAF sponsor Exact 2019 1$39,157 2019$39,157
show
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor Exact 2024 1$9,500 2024$9,500
show
AMAZONSMILE FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “MAKING THE GRADE-HOPE FOR AFRICAN YOUTH” 2020-2023 4$368 2023$97
show

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
HOPE FOR THE WORLD INDIA INCGAQ33 $209,121$217,978 President$41,600 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
HONDURAS AGALTA VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATIONGAQ33 $207,371$219,220 Director$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
HAITIAN HOMES FOR HAITIAN CHILDREN INCGAQ33 $179,236$177,303 Executive Dir.$5,950 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
FHD MISSIONS INCGAQ33 $180,301$202,616 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
BHAGWATI SARLA PALIWAL EDUCATION SOCIETY INCGAQ33 $174,275$127,205 Director$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
CASA DEL REDENTOR INCGAQ33 $175,874$224,546 President$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
PHYSICIANS CIRCLE FOR PATIENTS INCORPORATEDGAQ33 $178,374$131,012 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
NETWORK OF CARING INCGAQ33 $195,441$194,235 Secretary$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
SLAVIC MISSIONARY OUTREACH INCGAQ33 $179,239$167,501 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
ROCK BRIDGE MINISTRIES INCGAQ33 $179,223$199,170 TREASURER$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
UPWARD BOUND MINISTRIESGAQ33 $153,229$146,666 BOARD MEMBER$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
ONE BODY VILLAGE INCGAQ33 $151,731$231,026 EX-OFFICIO$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
CARRIBBEAN LIFETIME MISSIONSGAQ33 $160,125$160,123 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
CROWNLIFE INTERNATIONALGAQ33 $153,442$153,247 President$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
LAST DAY EVE MINISTRIES INCGAQ33 $148,939$145,862 CEO$1,200 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
COAST FOR CHRIST BAPTIST MINISTRIESGAQ33 $147,925$88,205 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
TOGETHER WE SMILE INCGAQ33 $131,305$23,642 CFO$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
LOVE SERVE INCGAQ33 $188,803$182,872 CEO$21,240 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
HOME OF REFUGE INTERNATIONAL INCGAQ33 $133,117$130,124 President$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state
HOPE FOR HORN OF AFRICA INCAZQ33 $159,696$227,203 Chair of Board$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x
AID FOR HAITIMSQ33 $172,468$108,991 President$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x
AFRICA HEALTH AND HOPE INCOHQ33 $162,452$159,264 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x
HOLISTIC MINISTRY OF CHILDREN OF THE HORN AFRICAMNQ33 $176,173$150,415 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x
THE GIFT OF HOPE USA INCCTQ33 $167,323$171,138 President and Director$0 Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE UMM EL-FAHEM MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ARNYQ33 $181,865$177,638 President$0 Same NTEE code Q33, 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
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER ATLANTA INC DAF sponsor$3,089,2807 22016–2024 CASA DEL REDENTOR INC; HONDURAS AGALTA VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND funds this one DAF sponsor$2,558,48982 282016–2024 HUMANITARIAN AID RESPONSE TEAMS FOUNDATION; HEBRON HOME OUTREACH; AMERICAN FRIENDS OF PROSPECT BURMA; CONNECTICUT QUEST FOR PEACE INC and 24 more
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING funds this one DAF sponsor$1,618,37983 272015–2024 REBUILD AFRICA INC; MORELIA HOME FOR CHILDREN; ANZA TENA DREAM CENTER; SOLID ROCK YOUTH RANCH and 23 more
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$972,34777 222012–2024 HOPE ROAD NICARAGUA INC; MORELIA HOME FOR CHILDREN; COAST FOR CHRIST BAPTIST MINISTRIES; HOLISTIC MINISTRY OF CHILDREN OF THE HORN AFRICA and 18 more
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$750,71946 122019–2024 HOUSE OF HOPE FOUNDATION INC; INDO AMERICAN SEVAKS FOUNDATION; THE GIFT OF HOPE USA INC; PROJECT HEAL FOUNDATION INC and 8 more
FORGOOD INC funds this one DAF sponsor$549,44339 92012–2024 REBUILD AFRICA INC; THE GIFT OF HOPE USA INC; BOOKS FOR DEVELOPMENT; OPERATION OF HOPE WORLDWIDE and 5 more
PURE INC DAF sponsor$532,33411 22016–2024 TREE OF HOPE HAITI INC; CROWNLIFE INTERNATIONAL
VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM DAF sponsor$373,00013 52020–2024 ANDREW GRENE FOUNDATION; SIGNS FOR HOPE INC; AFRICA HEALTH AND HOPE INC; AMERICAN FRIENDS OF PROSPECT BURMA and 1 more
IMPACTASSETS INC DAF sponsor$365,00011 12014–2024 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND EDUCATION FOR RURAL AFRICA CHERA INC
HENRY LUCE FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$350,0004 12021–2024 AMERICAN FRIENDS OF PROSPECT BURMA
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$270,00010 12010–2022 AFRICAN OUTREACH MINISTRIES
SERVANT FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$214,6004 22021–2023 RAFIKI AFRICA MINISTRIES INC; HANDLEBARS FOR HOPE INC
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor$174,0005 32020–2024 ANDREW GRENE FOUNDATION; RAISING HOPE INC; CARRIBBEAN LIFETIME MISSIONS
THE BLACKBAUD GIVING FUND DAF sponsor$173,77913 72022–2024 SOLID ROCK YOUTH RANCH; HOPE ROAD NICARAGUA INC; RAISING HOPE INC; BAKHITA CHARITIES FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA INC and 3 more
AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$160,75712 42016–2024 HEART FOR HOPE; FRIENDS OF SHARING THE DREAM IN GUATEMALA; HOLISTIC MINISTRY OF CHILDREN OF THE HORN AFRICA; HOPE GRAFTED IN INC

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.

2025 · Form 990 · $180,886 spent · pay $4,461 · grants $173,233 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $173,233$173,233-- 95.8%
Pay: disqualified persons $4,461$4,461-- 2.5%
Office expenses $3,192$0$3,192- 1.8%
Total$180,886100%

View the filing

2024 · Form 990 · $116,630 spent · pay $2,468 · grants $111,840 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $111,840$111,840-- 95.9%
Pay: disqualified persons $2,468$2,468-- 2.1%
Office expenses $2,322$0$2,322- 2.0%
Total$116,630100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $142,129 spent · pay $1,331 · grants $136,360 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $136,360$136,360-- 95.9%
Office expenses $4,438$0$4,438- 3.1%
Pay: disqualified persons $1,331$1,331-- 0.9%
Total$142,129100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $136,334 spent · pay $1,024 · grants $133,984 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $133,984$133,984-- 98.3%
Office expenses $1,326-$1,326- 1.0%
Pay: disqualified persons $1,024$1,024-- 0.8%
Total$136,334100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990 · $174,785 spent · pay $6,550 · grants $166,569 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $160,002$160,002-- 91.5%
Grants to US individuals $6,567$6,567-- 3.8%
Pay: disqualified persons $6,550$6,550$0$0 3.7%
Office expenses $1,666-$1,666- 1.0%
Total$174,785100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990 · $100,374 spent · pay $5,608 · grants $91,767 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $72,102$72,102-- 71.8%
Grants to US individuals $19,665$19,665-- 19.6%
Pay: disqualified persons $5,608$5,608$0$0 5.6%
Office expenses $2,999-$2,999- 3.0%
Total$100,374100%

View the filing

2019 · Form 990 · $120,865 spent · pay $3,035 · grants $113,636 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $95,025$95,025-- 78.6%
Grants to US individuals $18,611$18,611-- 15.4%
Office expenses $4,194-$4,194- 3.5%
Pay: disqualified persons $3,035$3,035$0$0 2.5%
Total$120,865100%

View the filing

2018 · Form 990 · $137,522 spent · pay $2,240 · grants $133,011 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $76,786$76,786-- 55.8%
Grants to US individuals $56,225$56,225-- 40.9%
Office expenses $2,271$0$2,271- 1.7%
Pay: disqualified persons $2,240$2,240-- 1.6%
Total$137,522100%

View the filing

2017 · Form 990 · $184,478 spent · pay $1,859 · grants $180,469 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $95,129$95,129-- 51.6%
Grants to US individuals $85,340$85,340-- 46.3%
Office expenses $2,150-$2,150- 1.2%
Pay: disqualified persons $1,859$1,859-- 1.0%
Total$184,478100%

View the filing

2016 · Form 990 · $244,317 spent · pay $2,930 · grants $239,383 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $183,999$183,999-- 75.3%
Grants to US individuals $55,384$55,384-- 22.7%
Pay: disqualified persons $2,930$2,930-- 1.2%
Office expenses $2,004-$2,004- 0.8%
Total$244,317100%

View the filing

2015 · Form 990 · $199,821 spent · pay $2,800 · grants $194,821 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants to US individuals $108,704$108,704-- 54.4%
Grants outside the US $86,117$86,117-- 43.1%
Pay: disqualified persons $2,800$2,800-- 1.4%
Office expenses $2,200-$2,200- 1.1%
Total$199,821100%

View the filing