Project Exploration
- Assets
- $396.5k
- Revenue
- $1.4m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 14
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Founding
- 09/1999
- Data as of
- 08/2022
- EIN
- 36-4305660
Organization Overview
Project Exploration is located in Chicago, IL. The organization was established in 1999. According to its NTEE Classification (A56) the organization is classified as: Natural History & Natural Science Museums, under the broad grouping of Arts, Culture & Humanities and related organizations. As of 08/2022, Project Exploration employed 14 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Project Exploration is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 08/2022, Project Exploration generated $1.4m in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 7 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 19.7% each year . All expenses for the organization totaled $1.3m during the year ending 08/2022. While expenses have increased by 14.7% per year over the past 7 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2022
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
PROJECT EXPLORATION CREATES TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE SCIENCES -- PARTICULARLY STUDENTS OF COLOR AND GIRLS -- BY EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE SKILLS, PRACTICES, AND MINDSET NEEDED FOR A LIFELONG PURSUIT OF LEARNING.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
"DISCOVER" PROGRAMS SPARK INTEREST, AND ENGAGEMENT AND INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO A BROAD RANGE OF SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES AND TOPICS, AS WELL AS THE BASICS OF THE NATURE OF SCIENCE, SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY, AND ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS. EXAMPLES OF PROJECT EXPLORATION'S DISCOVER PROGRAMS: SISTERS4SCIENCE, BROTHERS4SCIENCE,STEM@HOME, AND STEM QUEST.
THE "EXPLORE" PROGRAMS FOCUS ON SPECIFIC DISCIPLINES AND INQUIRY METHODS WHILE REINFORCING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AND INVESTIGATIVE APPROACHES. EXAMPLES OF PROJECT EXPLORATION'S EXPLORE PROGRAMS: EXPLORE ENGINEERING,MEDICAL SCIENCES, AVIATION.
CHICAGO STEM PATHWAYS COOPERATIVE (STEM CO-OP) IS DEDICATED TO BUILDING CRADLE-TO-CAREER PATHWAYS OF HIGH-QUALITY STEM LEARNING FOR CHICAGO'S YOUTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE IN- AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME SECTOR, AS WELL AS DEEP SUPPORT FROM STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN CHICAGO'S STEM LEARNING LANDSCAPE.
SPRING BREAK SCIENCE CAMP THIS WEEKLONG PROGRAM IMMERSES PE STUDENTS IN THE EXPERTISE AND CULTURE OF A STEM-BASED COMPANY OR INSTITUTION. PAST PARTNERS HAVE INCLUDED: TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES, WHICH LED ACTIVITIES IN CODING AND ROBOTICS; AND MOTOROLA MOBILITY, WHICH PAIRED GIRLS FROM S4S WITH A DIVERSE GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL WOMEN. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVENTURERS (EA) EA IS AIMED AT ENGAGING DIVERSE, URBAN YOUTH IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, BIOLOGY, ANATOMY, AND ZOOLOGY SUBJECTS TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN RESEARCH IN A MEANINGFUL AND HANDS-ON WAY. THE PARTICIPANTS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM WILL DO REAL SCIENTIFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORK WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS WHILE LEARNING HOW TO DEVELOP A RESEARCH QUESTION TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS - SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STEM PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS AT THEIR HOME SCHOOL. PROJECT EXPLORATION HAS IDENTIFIED COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE WEST AND NEAR WEST SIDE, FAR SOUTH, SOUTH, AND SOUTHWEST SIDE OF CHICAGO AS PROGRAM SERVICE AREAS. THESE COMMUNITIES REFLECT AREAS THAT HAVE LIMITED TO NO ROBUST STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. PE PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS OR WORKS DIRECTLY WITH CPS TO DETERMINE WHICH SCHOOLS TO SERVE. PE COLLABORATES WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS TO DETERMINE WHICH PROGRAMS TO OFFER. PLACE-BASED PROGRAMS - PLACE-BASED PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STEM PROGRAMMING WITHIN A GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND SERVE AS A COMMUNITY STEM HUB. PROJECT EXPLORATION HAS TWO PLACE-BASED LOCATIONS. THE WEST SIDE STEM LEARNING CENTERS AT THE GEORGE LELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPUS WAS LAUNCHED IN 2017. IN 2021, PE LAUNCHED A SECOND PARTNERSHIP WITH BETHEL NEW LIFE TO CREATE ANOTHER PLACE-BASED STEM LEARNING CENTER. EACH AIMS TO AMPLIFY THE VALUE OF STEM LEARNING IN THE COMMUNITY, STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY COHESION THROUGH FAMILY PROGRAMMING, AND BRING CITYWIDE STEM RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
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PDF Copies of 990 Filings
Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Natasha Smith-Walker Executive Di | Trustee | 40 | $115,050 |
Judy Lubin Chair | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Deborah Thurmond Vice-Chair | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Renee Schoenberg Secretary | Officer | 1 | $0 |
Katherine Acles Director | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
Aditya Agrawal Director | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 |
| Fundraising events | $0 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $361,243 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $815,448 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $1,176,691 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $243,694 |
| Investment income | $44 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $0 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $0 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $1,420,429 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $116,496 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $81,547 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $412,047 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $0 |
| Other employee benefits | $0 |
| Payroll taxes | $45,380 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $0 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $25,202 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Other | $9,000 |
| Advertising and promotion | $0 |
| Office expenses | $34,771 |
| Information technology | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $0 |
| Travel | $58,815 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $0 |
| Interest | $0 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $31,882 |
| Insurance | $30,491 |
| All other expenses | $74,159 |
| Total functional expenses | $1,284,249 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $69,623 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $137,488 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $110,580 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $0 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $0 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $78,843 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $0 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $0 |
| Total assets | $396,534 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $31,504 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $0 |
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Other liabilities | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $31,504 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $95,280 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $269,750 |
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $396,534 |
Grants Recieved
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 1 grants that Project Exploration has recieved totaling $12,500.
| Awarding Organization | Amount |
|---|---|
The Barr Fund Chicago, IL PURPOSE: GENERAL FUND | $12,500 |
Peer Organizations
| Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
Project Exploration Chicago, IL | $396,534 | $1,420,429 |
Ozark Museum Of Natural History Cedar Creek, MO | $354,024 | $871,137 |
Academy Of Science Of St Louis St Louis, MO | $11,599,978 | $581,085 |
Cable Natural History Museum Inc Cable, WI | $7,995,635 | $768,562 |
Warbird Heritage Foundation Waukegan, IL | $208,450 | $477,097 |
Friends Of Garfield Park Inc Indianapolis, IN | $1,492,001 | $233,735 |
Pontiac-Oakland Museum & Resource Center Inc Pontiac, IL | $1,103,406 | $269,445 |
Missouri Institute Of Natural Science Springfield, MO | $486,680 | $0 |
Elgin Public Museum Incorporated Elgin, IL | $234,087 | $0 |
Ben E Clement Mineral Museum Inc Marion, KY | $96,845 | $52,471 |
Cambridge Historic School Foundation Inc Cambridge, WI | $142,100 | $24,427 |
Big Sandy Mountain Heritage-History Center Incorporated Pikeville, KY | $120,861 | $0 |