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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT PROJECT INC

RIVERHEAD, NY · EIN 471993500 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE O50 · Youth Development · Small ($100K-$1M) · bepgirls.org
revenue
$596K
expenses
$536K
net assets
$-11K
employees
13
program ratio
82%
mission · from form 990

EMPOWER YOUNG GIRLS BY GIVING THEM THE TOOLS TO ASSIST IN ACHIEVING EMOTIONALLY STABLE AND SELF CONFIDENT FUTURES, IN HOPES OF BRINGING FORTH A GENERATION OF WOMEN WHO ARE STRONG, INDEPENDENT AND KNOWLEDGEABLE.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Butterfly Effect Project empowers young girls and gender-expansive youth through holistic programming focused on confidence, self-care, healthy relationships, and critical thinking. Based in Riverhead, NY, the organization serves local youth with after-school and community-based initiatives that include arts, environmental stewardship, social justice, career readiness, and college access. Programs are designed to foster emotional stability, self-confidence, and community engagement, creating pathways to strong, independent futures.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $4K
    THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES.
named programs · 15 · from sources

What they call their work

BEP Dance Teams
Includes four teams: Precious Pearls (ages 5–9), Shooting Starz (ages 10–13), Butterfly Blitz (ages 14–18), and The Elite Squad (ages 12–18), focusing on majorette, dance, and stepping as forms of empowerment.
Butterfly Action Group (BAG)
Youth-led social justice program where participants explore racial equity, government, and policy, and design advocacy campaigns.
Butterfly Brains
Tutoring program connecting youth with local and remote volunteers for academic support across subjects and grade levels.
Butterfly Monologues
12–14 week storytelling and performance program culminating in a live stage performance at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center.
Butterfly and Dragonfly Chapters
Core after-school chapters aligned with school curricula, focusing on confidence, self-care, healthy relationships, and critical thinking.
College Access
Guidance program supporting youth through college applications, financial planning, SAT prep, and career exploration.
College Retention
Support network for youth in college, offering mentorship, accountability, and connection to campus resources.
Future Teachers of Tomorrow
School-based program where youth shadow educators and school staff to explore careers in education and public service.
Garden Club
Intergenerational program where youth grow produce for families and food pantries, promoting sustainable habits and community wellness.
Heritage Hive
Youth-led program exploring ancestry and lineage through research and storytelling, fostering cultural pride and identity.
Job Readiness Class
6–8 week course covering resume writing, interview skills, workplace behavior, and financial literacy, with job placements upon completion.
Nike Bootcamp
Monthly fitness program in partnership with Nike Outlet Riverhead, promoting physical activity and confidence.
The Butterfly Closet
Free store providing clothing and essentials to youth and families, run by youth volunteers.
The Circle Chapter
Crisis response team providing immediate support to youth in emergency situations, ensuring they are not alone.
Young Entrepreneurs Succeed (YES)
Mentorship program where youth learn business skills and sell products in the Butterfly Boutique.
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • College Access and Success Support 1 activity
    • Delivering college access and retention support
      Offers a comprehensive college access program for high school students, including application assistance, essay support, SAT preparation, and financial planning. Continues support into college through a retention program featuring mentorship, accountability, and resource connection.
  • Community Foundation & United Way Support 1 activity
    • Funding local charities
      Provides financial support to local charities as part of its grantmaking activities.
  • Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
    • Operating intergenerational garden club to address food insecurity
      Runs an intergenerational garden club that grows fresh produce distributed to families, the local community, and food pantries to help combat food deserts on Long Island’s East End.
  • Youth Development Programs 1 activity
    • Operating youth development programs on Long Island's East End
      Provides safe spaces and structured programming for over 700 youth annually across the East End of Long Island, focusing on personal development, leadership, and connection through a multi-year model. Programs include peer bonding, academic support, and career exploration.
  • Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
    • Producing youth storytelling and performance programs
      Runs a 12–14 week storytelling and performance program that culminates in a live stage performance, enabling youth to share personal narratives. Also operates four youth dance teams—Shooting Starz, Butterfly Blitz, The Elite Squad, and Precious Pearls—focused on performance, discipline, and self-expression.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Running after-school and school-based youth programs
      Operates more than 30 chapters in communities and school districts, offering after-school programming that includes job readiness, career shadowing, and academic tutoring. These programs are delivered in partnership with schools and through community-based chapters.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$596K
Contributions & grants$555K93%
Program service revenue$3K0%
Investment income$10K2%
Other revenue$29K
expenses
Total expenses$536K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$233K
Grants paid out$4K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$83K
Cash$83K
Investments$0
Liabilities$94K
Net assets$-11K
Liquid reserves1.9 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +48.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
TIJUANA FULFORD EXECUTIVE DI 40 $84K
board members · 5
  • EDNA J WHITE — CHAIRMAN
  • JENNIFER LAMAINA — CHAIRMAN
  • KIMBERLY DIXON — CHAIRMAN
  • SHANNEIKQUA TOLLIVER — TREASURER
  • TARA ARCHER — BOARD CHAIR
relationships · 10

Who they work with

  • Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook to engage and connect with its audience
  • First Baptist Church Partner — Supported the acquisition of a bus for youth transportation.
  • Fisher Signs & Shirts Partner — Contributed to the acquisition of a bus for youth transportation.
  • Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share content and engage followers
  • LinkedIn Partner — Uses LinkedIn for professional outreach and organizational presence
  • Michael’s Smile Partner — Partner organization providing support for youth travel and programming.
  • Tijuana Fulford Partner — Founded The Butterfly Effect Project with a vision to empower young girls.
  • Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Partner — Collaborates on the Butterfly Monologues and operates a dedicated chapter for arts programming.
  • YouTube Partner — Uses YouTube to distribute video content and educational resources
  • www.bepgirls.org Network — Main website for The Butterfly Effect Project, indicating organizational presence and information hub
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Metaphor-Centered Identity Development
    methodology: metamorphosis framework
    By framing personal growth through the metaphor of metamorphosis—from caterpillar to butterfly—the organization helps youth internalize transformation as a natural, achievable process, because narrative and artistic expression deepen emotional engagement and self-concept evolution.
  • Participant-Driven Experiential Learning
    methodology: experiential_learning_for_youth_empowerment
    By designing programs around youth interests and using immersive, hands-on experiences, the organization fosters academic growth, curiosity, and self-confidence, because engagement rooted in personal relevance and real-world exposure deepens learning and identity development.
  • Ripple Effect Through Youth Empowerment
    methodology: ripple_effect
    By investing in the personal growth and empowerment of individual youth, the organization generates broader community transformation, because empowered young people inspire and uplift those around them, creating cascading positive change.