irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $854KPOSTSECONDARY READINESS & SUCCESS:THE POST SECONDARY READINESS AND SUCCESS TEAM IMPLEMENTS A VARIETY OF SERVICES DESIGNED TO BUILD AWARENESS, READINESS, EXPERIENCES, AND SUCCESS IN THEIR COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES UA'S CAREER CONNECTED, WHICH CONSISTS OF A UA-CREATED CURRICULUM AND SUPPORT MODEL THAT WORKS WITH STUDENTS AT THE START OF THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE (FROM 9TH-11TH GRADE); CAREER PATHWAYS THROUGH WORK-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS; AND COLLEGE SELECTION, APPLICATION, MATRICULATION, AND PERSISTENCE SUPPORT.
- #2 $796KACADEMICS/ALGEBRA SUCCESS/LEADERSHIP:INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT: ALGEBRA SUCCESS PROGRAMS CURRENTLY OPERATING IN NEW YORK CITY INCREASE STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN ALGEBRA BY PROVIDING EDUCATORS WITH STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT MATH INSTRUCTIONAL QUALITY. EXTENSIVE RESEARCH HAS PROVEN THAT 8TH AND 9TH GRADERS WHO SUCCEED IN ALGEBRA ARE FAR MORE LIKELY TO DO WELL IN HIGH SCHOOL AND DEMONSTRATE COLLEGE SUCCESS AT RATES ABOVE THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC PEERS. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY SESSIONS FOR PEERS TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES AND IMPROVE THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL EXPERTISE, COACHING AT SCHOOL SITES, ASSESSMENTS, AND DATA ANALYSIS, INCLUDING REGENTS-BASED TASKS REQUIRED FOR HS GRADUATION. THE INSTRUCTIONAL QUALITY PROGRAM ENHANCES STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN CORE SUBJECTS, SUCH AS MATH AND LANGUAGE ARTS, BY IMPROVING TEACHING PRACTICES THAT DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING, ENGAGEMENT, AND ACHIEVEMENT. THE UA'S INNOVATION IN INSTRUCTIONAL QUALITY INCLUDES PROJECT CAFE, WHICH LEVERAGES AI AND LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS TO SCALE FEEDBACK TO MORE TEACHERS, MORE FREQUENTLY.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Algebra Success
Instructional support program that improves math teaching quality and student performance in algebra through professional learning communities, coaching, assessments, and data analysis.
CounselorGPT
Large language model-powered tool that expands postsecondary counseling by helping students explore careers, select pathways, and compare return on investment, while supporting counselors with advising insights.
Postsecondary Readiness & Success
Program that supports students from 9th to 11th grade through career-connected curriculum, work-based learning, industry partnerships, and college application and persistence support.
Project CAFE
Classroom Automated Feedback Environment using AI to analyze classroom video recordings and provide teachers with real-time, actionable feedback to enhance instructional practice.
Resilient Scholars Program (RSP)
Integrated social-emotional learning model for middle and high school students using a whole-school, three-year approach that includes direct instruction, schoolwide implementation, and assessment of student progress.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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College Access and Success Support 2 activities
- Delivering CounselorGPT for career and college counselingProvides students with access to CounselorGPT, an AI-powered tool that delivers an average of 20 minutes per week of career and college counseling support.
- Providing postsecondary readiness servicesImplements postsecondary readiness services across its school network, including a UA-created curriculum for students in grades 9–11, work-based learning opportunities, industry partnerships, and college application and persistence support.
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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 2 activities
- Delivering the Resilient Scholars Program (SEL model)Develops and implements the Resilient Scholars Program, a social-emotional learning model that includes monthly coaching, professional development, student assessments, workshops, and support in selecting evidence-based SEL curricula; expanded to serve schools and districts nationally in cities including Los Angeles, Houston, and Syracuse.
- Developing and scaling educational tools and programsCreates and disseminates innovative tools, programs, and curricula—such as those in academic achievement, social-emotional learning, and postsecondary readiness—developed over 25 years, and partners with schools and districts nationally to scale these solutions.
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Teacher Professional Development 2 activities
- Providing leadership and instructional coaching to educatorsOffers coaching and training to school leaders, educators, and staff—including principals and assistant principals—to develop skills in leadership, curriculum development, and instructional practice, supporting adult learning and improved student outcomes.
- Using AI to enhance instructional coachingRuns an instructional quality program that uses artificial intelligence, including Project CAFE with large language models, to analyze classroom video recordings and provide frequent, actionable feedback to teachers to improve teaching practices in core subjects.
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Mathematics Curriculum Implementation and Enrichment 1 activity
- Implementing Algebra Success programDevelops and runs the Algebra Success program in New York City, which provides educators with instructional strategies, professional learning communities, on-site coaching, assessments, and data analysis to improve math instruction and student performance in algebra.
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Charter School Operations 1 activity
- Operating a network of career-themed public high schoolsFounded and operates more than 20 small, career-themed public high schools in New York City since 1997, serving students of color and low-income students, with a network-wide graduation rate of 91%, outperforming citywide averages.
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School-Specific Educational Support 1 activity
- Supporting schools in academic and systems improvementProvides school support services in five core areas—Academics, Social-Emotional Learning, Postsecondary Readiness, School Leadership Development, and Alumni Success—and helps schools build data-informed systems and interconnected learning environments accessible to all staff.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Co-founding and launching new public schoolsCo-founded individual public schools, such as the Urban Assembly Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice, in partnership with the New York City Department of Education and other education organizations.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$7.77M
Contributions & grants$6.68M86%
Program service revenue$946K12%
Investment income$135K2%
Other revenue$460
expenses
Total expenses$7.65M
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$5.29M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$8.36M
Cash$719K
Investments$4.23M
Liabilities$1.56M
Net assets$6.80M
Liquid reserves7.8 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -15.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID ADAMS | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 35 | $290K |
| STEVEN SMITH | DIR. OF FINANCE AND ADMINI | 35 | $220K |
| GILLIAN FINLEY | CHIEF OF STAFF | 35 | $205K |
| AMY GREENWOOD | DIR. OF PROGRAM OPERATIONS | 35 | $164K |
| DANA HARNETT | DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING | 35 | $163K |
| BRANDON FRAME | SENIOR DIR. OF SOCIAL EMOT | 35 | $139K |
| RICHARD KAHAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $15K |
board members · 17
- ABBY JO SIGAL — BOARD MEMBER
- ANGIE KARNA — BOARD MEMBER
- DIANNA ODOHERTY — BOARD MEMBER
- DR ROGER HARRIS — BOARD MEMBER
- DRMEISHA PORTER — CHAIRMAN
- JAMES STONE — BOARD MEMBER
- JANE MARTINEZ DOWLING — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN KNEISLEY — BOARD MEMBER
- KHALIDA ALI — BOARD MEMBER
- KIRI SOARES — BOARD MEMBER
- KRISTIN KEARNS JORDAN — SECRETARY
- REV JACQUES DEGRAFF — BOARD MEMBER
- RICHARD TOMASETTI — BOARD MEMBER
- SCOTT LANDIS — BOARD MEMBER
- SIMEON IHEAGWAM — BOARD MEMBER
- TARA RAMIREZ — BOARD MEMBER
- TONY KISER — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Bronx Community Foundation Partner — Meisha Ross Porter, a board member of The Urban Assembly, is CEO of the Bronx Community Foundation.
- CASEL Network — David Adams sits on the board of CASEL.
- College Scorecard Partner — Trusted dataset used by CounselorGPT for postsecondary advising
- IPEDS Partner — Trusted dataset used by CounselorGPT for postsecondary advising
- Jordan Family Foundation Funder — Kristin Kearns-Jordan, a board member of The Urban Assembly, is affiliated with the Jordan Family Foundation.
- Lightcast Partner — Trusted dataset used by CounselorGPT for labor market insights in postsecondary advising
- NYC Department of Education Partner — In partnership with The Urban Assembly to found career-themed high schools in New York City.
- NYC Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development Government — Abby Jo Sigal, a board member of The Urban Assembly, is affiliated with the NYC Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development.
- New Mountain Capital Partner — James Stone, a board member of The Urban Assembly, is affiliated with New Mountain Capital.
- New Visions for Public Schools Partner — Collaborated to create the Urban Assembly Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice.
- New York City Department of Education Government — Federal, state, and local government agency partner supporting public education initiatives.
- New York City Department of Education Government — Partnered to create the Urban Assembly Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice and operates as an Affinity partner.
- New York Theological Seminary Partner — Rev. Jacques DeGraff, a board member of The Urban Assembly, is affiliated with New York Theological Seminary.
- Nomura Securities Partner — Angie Karna, a board member of The Urban Assembly, is a Managing Director in the Legal Department at Nomura Securities.
- Peterson Partner — Trusted dataset used by CounselorGPT for postsecondary advising
- Project CAFE Partner — Leverages AI and large language models through Project CAFE to scale instructional feedback to teachers.
- Urban Assembly Network Schools Network — Schools served by The Urban Assembly through its network
- Urban Assembly schools Partner — Partner with The Urban Assembly in co-creating learning tools and programs to address challenges in public education.
- Vista Equity Partners Partner — Khalida Ali, a board member of The Urban Assembly, is affiliated with Vista Equity Partners.
- William and Mary Greve Foundation Funder — Anthony C.M. Kiser, Board Chairman of The Urban Assembly, is affiliated with the William and Mary Greve Foundation.
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.
- AI-Powered Personalization in Educationmethodology: ai-powered_instructional_coachingBy using AI to deliver personalized feedback to teachers and students, the organization enhances self-directed development and decision-making because timely, data-informed insights improve instructional quality and postsecondary planning.
- Algebra as a Gateway to Academic Successmethodology: algebra-as-a-lever-for-college-successBy improving algebra performance in early high school, students are more likely to succeed in subsequent academic and postsecondary pursuits because mastery of foundational math is a key predictor of long-term educational attainment.
- Capacity Building Through Coaching and Datamethodology: capacity_buildingBy strengthening educator and leader capacity via instructional coaching, data-informed systems, and professional learning communities, schools improve coherence and equity in outcomes because sustained support enables systemic improvement.
- Economic Mobility Through Educationmethodology: economic_mobility_through_educationBy aligning K–12 education with postsecondary credentials and living-wage employment pathways, students achieve long-term economic mobility because academic preparation is directly linked to real-world opportunity.
- Social-Emotional Learning as a Foundational Levermethodology: whole-school-social-emotional-learningBy embedding social-emotional learning across school structures and curricula, students develop confidence and self-awareness that improve academic engagement and long-term success, particularly in underserved populations.