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FULL STEAM FORWARD INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 850624226 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE H19 · Medical Research · Small ($100K-$1M) · fullsteamforward.org
revenue
$379K
expenses
$350K
net assets
$284K
employees
2
volunteers
4
program ratio
74%
mission · from form 990

TO TACKLE INEQUITIES IMPACTING MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, ACROSS THE US, BY OFFERING FREE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIVES OF THOSE IT SERVES. THERE ARE TWO MAJOR PROGRAMS - FULL STEAM FORWARD ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

profile · synthesized from sources

Full STEAM Forward is a nonprofit organization based in New York that provides free, multi-year STEAM enrichment programs for girls of color in underserved communities. The organization aims to close the gender and racial gaps in STEM by offering hands-on, project-based learning, access to women in STEM role models, and sustained support through an alumni program. Programs are delivered in partnership with schools in urban areas across the U.S. and in Kenya.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $0
    PROVIDING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT INTO THE HANDS OF FRONT-LINE AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Alumni Program
Continued support for graduates through field trips, STEM databases, surveys, and mentorship opportunities to sustain engagement in science.
College Mentor Program
College students majoring in STEM or education mentor younger participants during classes, serving as role models and receiving guidance from FSF staff.
Full STEAM Forward Enrichment Program
Three-year afterschool STEAM program for girls in 3rd through 5th grades, focusing on ecosystems, Earth sciences, and artificial intelligence, delivered in-person or online.
Guest Speaker Series
Monthly virtual sessions where women in STEM careers speak to students about their work and experiences.
Professional Development Program
Training for elementary teachers to improve science content knowledge and pedagogy, with potential for monetization and broader outreach.
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Student Progress Assessment & Program Evaluation 1 activity
    • Conduct research and program evaluation on STEM education outcomes
      Conducts pre- and post-program assessments to evaluate changes in science knowledge, self-confidence, engagement, and career interest. Research shows over 90% of students report academic benefits, 95% maintain or improve confidence in STEM careers, and 100% of graduates consider pursuing STEM in high school and college. Girls in similar programs show higher standardized test scores, AP enrollment, graduation rates, and college STEM degree attainment.
  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
    • Deliver 3-year STEAM afterschool programs for girls of color
      Provides free, three-year sequential STEAM programming for girls of color in 3rd through 6th grades, with curricula focused on ecosystems (Year 1), Earth sciences (Year 2), and artificial intelligence (Year 3), delivered through synchronous in-person or online classes, hands-on projects, and mentorship. Serves over 250 girls in the United States and 35 girls in Kenya, including a cohort of 15 at Prince Dan Academy in Kajiado Town.
  • K–12 Computer Science & AI Education 1 activity
    • Deliver AI-focused curriculum and project-based learning in Kenya
      Runs a 23-week artificial intelligence curriculum for girls in Kenya covering machine learning, robotics, and ethical technology, culminating in the development of AI-powered chatbots trained on real data, custom websites, and AI solutions for real-world problems.
  • Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
    • Fund distribution of personal protective equipment to frontline workers
      Funded the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to front-line and essential workers, with $1,193,549 in grants awarded and equivalent expenses reported in support of this effort.
  • Alumni Leadership and Career Support Programs 1 activity
    • Operate alumni and mentorship programs to sustain STEM engagement
      Runs an alumni program offering field trips, guest speakers, STEM opportunity databases, annual engagement surveys, and opportunities to return as mentors. Also provides college-aged mentors majoring in STEM or education to support students during online classes and provide individualized academic help.
  • Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
    • Provide professional development for elementary teachers in STEAM education
      Offers a professional development program for elementary school teachers to strengthen their science content knowledge, self-efficacy, and pedagogical skills in STEAM education.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$379K
Contributions & grants$379K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$350K
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$160K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$284K
Cash$283K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$284K
Liquid reserves9.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +38.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 5
  • DAVID YOUNG — VICE PRESIDE
  • JOANNE BESSLER — PRESIDENT/DI
  • REBECCA SINGER — SECRETARY
  • TIZIANA FIGLIOLIA — TREASURER/DI
  • YEMMIE OLUWATOSIN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 16

Who they work with

  • Amazon Web Services Partner — Hosts guest speaker engagements through its Applied Scientist, Dr. Jasleen Grewal, as part of the "Women in Science" speaker series.
  • America After 3PM Partner — Cited research on unmet demand for afterschool programs
  • Ascend Public Charter School System Partner — Community partner school in Brooklyn, NY, serving girls in grades 3–5 through Full STEAM Forward programs.
  • Clewell & Darke Partner — Cited research on multi-year programming for increasing women's participation in STEM
  • Friendship Public Charter Schools Partner — Community partner school in Washington, DC, serving girls in grades 3–5 through Full STEAM Forward programs.
  • Lee & Glass Partner — Cited research on elementary teachers' preparation and science teaching challenges
  • Microsoft Partner — Cited research on girls' loss of interest in STEM and lack of access to female role models in STEM professions
  • Oakland Unified School District Government — Conducted a longitudinal study on the impact of programs like Full STEAM Forward.
  • Overbrook Education Center Partner — Community partner school in Philadelphia, PA, serving girls in grades 3–5 through Full STEAM Forward programs.
  • PS 153 Partner — Community partner school in Queens, NY, serving girls in grades 3–5 through Full STEAM Forward programs.
  • PS 94 Partner — Community partner school in Brooklyn, NY, serving girls in grades 3–5 through Full STEAM Forward programs.
  • Prince Dan Academy Partner — Community partner school in Kajatdo Town, Kenya, serving girls in grades 3–6 through Full STEAM Forward programs.
  • Prince Dan Academy Partner — Partner school in Kajiado Town, Kenya, where Full STEAM Forward implements its AI curriculum for girls.
  • Smithsonian Science Education Center Partner — Academic partner providing training and support through the Zero Barriers in STEM Education: Accessibility and Inclusion program.
  • St. Francis de Sales Partner — Community partner school in Philadelphia, PA, serving girls in grades 3–5 through Full STEAM Forward programs.
  • Washington Irving School Partner — Christin Creary coordinated after-school programs at this school.
strategies · 5

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.

  • Arts-Integrated Ecological Systems Education
    methodology: critical ecological systems education
    By integrating art with science and applying critical ecological systems theories, we create interconnected, equitable learning experiences that affirm identity and deepen understanding, because interdisciplinary and systems-based approaches help students see science as a practice of exploration and social connection.
  • Equity-First Access and Inclusive Design in STEM Education
    methodology: equity-focused outreach
    By targeting low-income urban communities and integrating accessibility for students with disabilities, we address systemic equity gaps in STEM, because removing structural barriers ensures that all girls, especially Black and Brown students, can participate fully and develop STEM identity.
  • Experiential and Project-Based Learning for STEAM Engagement
    methodology: experiential_learning
    By using hands-on, curiosity-driven, project-based learning in AI and STEAM, we deepen engagement and foster intellectual curiosity, because experiential methods make abstract concepts tangible and empower girls to solve real-world problems.
  • Longitudinal Support Through Early Intervention
    methodology: longitudinal_support_model
    By intervening early with passion-driven STEAM programming and sustaining engagement through alumni networks, we prevent disengagement by middle school and compound gains over time, because continuity of support strengthens identity and persistence in STEM.
  • Targeted STEM Outreach with Role Model Mentorship
    methodology: role_model_mentorship
    By providing targeted STEAM programming and connecting girls of color with women in STEM as role models, we increase their long-term participation and build identity and belonging in high-growth fields, because representation and relatability strengthen engagement and self-efficacy.