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Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | President | 2015-2025 | 25 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Mariham Abraham | Treasurer | 2021-2025 | 3 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Adam Winder | Chief Financial Officer | 2019-2025 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Obsinet Merid (former) | President | 2021-2024 | 15 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Thomas Andrews (former) | Vice President | 2015-2020 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Allen Dollar (former) | Treasurer | 2015-2020 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Russell Abney (former) | Trustee | 2015-2018 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Foster Corbin (former) | VP/Secretary | 2015-2017 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2025 · 3 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | President | 25 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mariham Abraham | Treasurer | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Adam Winder | Chief Financial Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2024 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | CEO | 25 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Obsinet Merid | President | 15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mariham Abraham | Treasurer | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Adam Winder | Chief Financial Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | CEO | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Obsinet Merid | President | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mariham Abraham | Treasurer | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Adam Winder | Chief Financial Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2022 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | CEO | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Obsinet Merid | President | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mariham Abraham | Treasurer | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Adam Winder | Chief Financial Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2021 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | CEO | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Obsinet Merid | President | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mariham Abraham | Treasurer | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Adam Winder | Chief Financial Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2020 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | President/CEO | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Andrews | Vice President | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Allen Dollar | Treasurer | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Adam Winder | Trustee | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2019 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | President/CEO | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Andrews | Vice President | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Allen Dollar | Treasurer | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Adam Winder | Trustee | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2018 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | President/CEO | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Andrews | Chief Financial Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Allen Dollar | Treasurer | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Russell Abney | Trustee | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2017 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | President/CEO | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Andrews | Chief Financial Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Foster Corbin | VP/Secretary | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Allen Dollar | Treasurer | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Russell Abney | Trustee | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2016 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | President/CEO | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Andrews | Chief Financial Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Foster Corbin | VP/Secretary | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Allen Dollar | Treasurer | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Russell Abney | Trustee | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2015 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 10 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Dollar | President/CEO | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Andrews | Chief Financial Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Foster Corbin | VP/Secretary | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Allen Dollar | Treasurer | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Russell Abney | Trustee | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
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.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $160,713 | $180,886 | $324,422 | $324,422 | $160,713 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $242,050 | $116,630 | $344,595 | $344,595 | $242,050 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2023 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $203,496 | $142,129 | $219,175 | $219,175 | $203,496 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2022 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $160,269 | $136,334 | $157,808 | $157,808 | $160,269 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2021 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $214,539 | $174,785 | $133,873 | $133,873 | $214,539 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2020 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $130,413 | $100,374 | $94,119 | $94,119 | $130,413 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2019 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $148,752 | $120,865 | $64,080 | $64,080 | $148,752 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2018 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $135,096 | $137,522 | $36,193 | $36,193 | $135,096 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2017 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $164,564 | $184,478 | $38,619 | $38,619 | $164,564 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2016 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $250,637 | $244,317 | $58,533 | $58,533 | $250,637 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2015 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $204,614 | $199,821 | $52,213 | $52,213 | $204,614 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 10 |
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
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOPE FOR THE WORLD INDIA INC | GA | Q33 | $209,121 | $217,978 | President | $41,600 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HONDURAS AGALTA VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | GA | Q33 | $207,371 | $219,220 | Director | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HAITIAN HOMES FOR HAITIAN CHILDREN INC | GA | Q33 | $179,236 | $177,303 | Executive Dir. | $5,950 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FHD MISSIONS INC | GA | Q33 | $180,301 | $202,616 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| BHAGWATI SARLA PALIWAL EDUCATION SOCIETY INC | GA | Q33 | $174,275 | $127,205 | Director | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
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| PHYSICIANS CIRCLE FOR PATIENTS INCORPORATED | GA | Q33 | $178,374 | $131,012 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NETWORK OF CARING INC | GA | Q33 | $195,441 | $194,235 | Secretary | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SLAVIC MISSIONARY OUTREACH INC | GA | Q33 | $179,239 | $167,501 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ROCK BRIDGE MINISTRIES INC | GA | Q33 | $179,223 | $199,170 | TREASURER | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| UPWARD BOUND MINISTRIES | GA | Q33 | $153,229 | $146,666 | BOARD MEMBER | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ONE BODY VILLAGE INC | GA | Q33 | $151,731 | $231,026 | EX-OFFICIO | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CARRIBBEAN LIFETIME MISSIONS | GA | Q33 | $160,125 | $160,123 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CROWNLIFE INTERNATIONAL | GA | Q33 | $153,442 | $153,247 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| LAST DAY EVE MINISTRIES INC | GA | Q33 | $148,939 | $145,862 | CEO | $1,200 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| COAST FOR CHRIST BAPTIST MINISTRIES | GA | Q33 | $147,925 | $88,205 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| TOGETHER WE SMILE INC | GA | Q33 | $131,305 | $23,642 | CFO | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| LOVE SERVE INC | GA | Q33 | $188,803 | $182,872 | CEO | $21,240 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HOME OF REFUGE INTERNATIONAL INC | GA | Q33 | $133,117 | $130,124 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HOPE FOR HORN OF AFRICA INC | AZ | Q33 | $159,696 | $227,203 | Chair of Board | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x |
| AID FOR HAITI | MS | Q33 | $172,468 | $108,991 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x |
| AFRICA HEALTH AND HOPE INC | OH | Q33 | $162,452 | $159,264 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x |
| HOLISTIC MINISTRY OF CHILDREN OF THE HORN AFRICA | MN | Q33 | $176,173 | $150,415 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code Q33, revenue within 2x |
| THE GIFT OF HOPE USA INC | CT | Q33 | $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 AR | NY | Q33 | $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).
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
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $180,886 | 100% |
2024 · Form 990 · $116,630 spent · pay $2,468 · grants $111,840 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $116,630 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990 · $142,129 spent · pay $1,331 · grants $136,360 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $142,129 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990 · $136,334 spent · pay $1,024 · grants $133,984 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $136,334 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990 · $174,785 spent · pay $6,550 · grants $166,569 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $174,785 | 100% |
2020 · Form 990 · $100,374 spent · pay $5,608 · grants $91,767 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $100,374 | 100% |
2019 · Form 990 · $120,865 spent · pay $3,035 · grants $113,636 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $120,865 | 100% |
2018 · Form 990 · $137,522 spent · pay $2,240 · grants $133,011 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $137,522 | 100% |
2017 · Form 990 · $184,478 spent · pay $1,859 · grants $180,469 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $184,478 | 100% |
2016 · Form 990 · $244,317 spent · pay $2,930 · grants $239,383 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $244,317 | 100% |
2015 · Form 990 · $199,821 spent · pay $2,800 · grants $194,821 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $199,821 | 100% |