irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.14MBE THERE CERTIFICATE IS OUR FREE, ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH COURSE THAT EQUIPS YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE TOOLS TO CONFIDENTLY AND COMPASSIONATELY SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER, CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JACK.ORG. THROUGH SIX SELF-PACED LESSONS, AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, FRENCH, AND SPANISH, YOUNG PEOPLE AND CARING ADULTS LEARN HOW TO RECOGNIZE WHEN SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING, PROVIDE SUPPORT, AND CONNECT OTHERS TO THE HELP THEY DESERVE. AS OF 2024, OVER 60K PEOPLE HAVE EARNED THEIR BE THERE CERTIFICATE, WITH OVER 50 COMPLETED DAILY. SURVEYS SHOW THAT WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF COMPLETING THE COURSE, 79% OF PARTICIPANTS HAVE USED THE SKILLS THEY LEARNED TO SUPPORT SOMEONE, 96% FEEL MORE CONFIDENT OFFERING SUPPORT, AND 95% CAN BETTER RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF STRUGGLE.
- #2 $408KWE ENGAGE YOUTH THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT AMPLIFY THEIR STORIES AND CELEBRATE THE KINDER, BRAVER WORLD THEY'RE ALREADY BUILDING. CHANNEL KINDNESS IS OUR DIGITAL PLATFORM INVITING YOUNG PEOPLE TO PUT COMPASSION INTO ACTION THROUGH STORYTELLING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. IN 2024, OUR EDITORS HELPED 142 YOUTH SHARE THEIR STORIES, EACH PAIRED WITH SUGGESTED ACTIONS TO INSPIRE CHANGE. THE PLATFORM HAS FEATURED 2K+ STORIES FROM 61 COUNTRIES TO DATE. WE ALSO HOST THE FREE CHANNEL KINDNESS STORYTELLERS CLUB, A WRITING WORKSHOP THAT HELPS YOUTH TURN THEIR PERSPECTIVES INTO POWERFUL NARRATIVES. IN 2024, WE ENGAGED 249 PARTICIPANTS THROUGH VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON SESSIONS. #BEKIND365, OUR DIGITAL PLATFORM ENCOURAGING INTENTIONAL DAILY KINDNESS, HAS ENGAGED 55K PEOPLE ACROSS 119 COUNTRIES, PLEDGING 20M+ KIND ACTS TO DATE.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
#BeKind365
Digital campaign encouraging daily acts of kindness. Engaged 55,000 people across 119 countries who have pledged over 20 million kind acts to date.
Be There Certificate
Free, self-paced online mental health course developed with Jack.org, available in English, Spanish, and French. Teaches youth and adults how to recognize mental health struggles, offer support, and connect others to help. Over 60,000 people have completed the course as of 2024.
Channel Kindness
Digital platform that amplifies youth stories and promotes community engagement through storytelling. Featured over 2,000 stories from 61 countries as of 2024. Includes the Storytellers Club, a writing workshop for youth.
Kindness in Community Fund
Grassroots grantmaking program, co-launched with Cotton On Foundation, dedicating $3M in 2024 to support 65 organizations across 10 countries. Focuses on youth-driven initiatives providing clinical services, housing, food security, and inclusion programming.
Teen Mental Health First Aid (TMHFA)
Partnership with the National Council for Behavioral Health to train high school students in mental health first aid. Reached over 200 sites in nearly every U.S. state by 2020.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Mental Health Education and Awareness 2 activities
- Be There Certificate mental health trainingOffers a free, self-paced online mental health course in English, French, and Spanish that teaches young people and adults how to recognize signs of mental health struggles, provide support, and connect others to help; over 60,000 individuals have completed the course as of 2024. Survey data shows 79% of participants used their skills to support someone within six months, with 96% reporting increased confidence and 95% improved recognition of mental health signs.
- Teen Mental Health First Aid training deliveryPartnered with the National Council for Behavioral Health to deliver Teen Mental Health First Aid training to high schoolers, expanding to over 200 schools and youth-serving organizations across nearly every U.S. state by 2020.
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Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Channel Kindness storytelling platformOperates Channel Kindness, a digital storytelling platform that in 2024 supported 142 youth in sharing personal stories paired with actionable steps for change, and hosted writing workshops engaging 249 participants virtually and in person.
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LGBTQ+ Community Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funding LGBTQ+ youth support servicesFunds more than 40 organizations in high-risk states through $250,000 in grants supporting over 24,000 LGBTQ+ youth, providing mental health resources, Pride Pantries, and safety measures.
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Teacher & Classroom Innovation Grants 1 activity
- Funding classroom-based mental and emotional wellness projectsProvides matching funds through a partnership with DonorsChoose.org to fully fund 673 classroom-based mental and emotional wellness projects in 405 schools, benefiting over 72,000 students and 489 teachers.
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Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
- Kindness in Community FundAdministers the Kindness in Community Fund, which in 2024 awarded $3 million in grants to 65 organizations across 10 countries, with youth leading the nomination and selection process, to support clinical services, housing, clothing, food security, and inclusive programming for young people.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- #BeKind365 digital kindness campaignManages #BeKind365, a digital platform promoting daily kindness that has engaged 55,000 people across 119 countries who have pledged over 20 million kind acts.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$6.03M
Contributions & grants$5.83M97%
Program service revenue$3000%
Investment income$201K3%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$6.94M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$2.09M
Grants paid out$3.31M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$9.02M
Cash$3.44M
Investments$3.65M
Liabilities$188K
Net assets$8.83M
Liquid reserves12.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -15.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CYNTHIA GERMANOTTA | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT | 40 | $313K |
| RACHEL MARTIN | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $268K |
| GETENESH M YILMA | VP, CONTENT AND BRAND | 40 | $170K |
| GARY A AIDE | VP, PROGRAMS AND IMPACT | 40 | $168K |
| CLAUDIA FERNANDES | VP, RESEARCH AND EVALUATION | 40 | $167K |
| MEGAN BRADLEY | SENIOR MANAGER, PARTNERSHIPS | 40 | $132K |
| JOSHUA MEREDITH | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $124K |
| SHADILLE ESTEPAN | SENIOR MANAGER, COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $122K |
board members · 5
- ALEXANDER ROQUE — DIRECTOR, SECRETARY
- CHARLES B ORTNER — DIRECTOR
- SEAN F CASSIDY — DIRECTOR
- STEFANI GERMANOTTA — DIRECTOR
- TAMIKA L TREMAGLIO — DIRECTOR, TREASURER
relationships · 5
Who they work with
- CENTERLINK Partner — Collaborated to distribute $250,000 in grants to over 40 LGBTQ+ youth-serving organizations in 2023 and previously partnered on Pride fundraising campaigns
- COTTON ON FOUNDATION Partner — Partnered to expand the Kindness in Community Fund internationally
- DonorsChoose.org Partner — Partnered to fund classroom-based mental and emotional wellness projects through matching grants
- JACK.ORG Partner — Co-developed and delivers the Be There Certificate mental health education program
- National Council for Behavioral Health Partner — Collaborated to bring Teen Mental Health First Aid training to high schoolers across the United States
strategies · 2
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.
- Mental Health Literacy Education via Tailored Online Learningmethodology: mental_health_literacy_educationBy delivering free, self-paced, multilingual online courses that teach youth to recognize mental health struggles and connect peers to help, we increase help-seeking and support behaviors because accessible, culturally relevant education builds confidence and reduces stigma.
- Youth-Led Grantmakingmethodology: youth_led_grantmakingBy involving young people in grantmaking decisions—from identifying needs to selecting funded initiatives—we ensure resources support what youth truly need, because youth are best positioned to understand and advocate for their own communities and priorities.