irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.44MPUBLIC POLICY AND RESEARCH- AFC advocates for changes to policy that will improve education for the children we serve. Activities in this program include monitoring the implementation and effects of current policies, producing policy reports, and working collaboratively with other organizations and individuals that share AFC's goals.
- #2 $373KIMPACT LITIGATION- AFC litigates class action lawsuits and other cases to effectuate systemic reforms of the public school system. The resulting information gathered also assists AFC in monitoring the Department of Education's compliance with the law, which results in the development and implementation of policy that will prevent the same problems from recurring for other children.
named programs · 10 · from sources
What they call their work
Early Childhood Education Project
Assists families with accessing early childhood programs such as 2-K, 3-K, and Pre-K for young children.
Free Legal and Advocacy Services
Provides free legal representation and advocacy for families navigating school-related issues, including hearings and appeals.
Immigrant Students' Rights Project
Supports immigrant students and families in accessing education, including enrollment guidance and language access services.
Impact Litigation
Files class action lawsuits and other legal actions to effect systemic reforms in the public school system and ensure compliance with education laws.
Know-Your-Rights Trainings
Offers workshops for parents, educators, and community members on education rights and how to advocate for students.
Policy Advocacy
Conducts research and advocates for policy changes based on on-the-ground experience to improve education outcomes for marginalized students.
Postsecondary Readiness Project
Supports students in transitioning to college and career pathways after high school.
Project LIT
Focuses on literacy and learning supports for students, particularly those from under-resourced communities.
Project Thrive
Provides support for students in temporary housing to ensure educational stability and access to services.
School Justice Project
Addresses school discipline issues, including suspensions, and advocates for restorative alternatives.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 2 activities
- Advocating for systemic education reform through policy and coalitionsEngages in policy advocacy, informed by direct service experience, to drive systemic changes in the education system. Participates in coalitions, advisory committees, and task forces, monitors policy implementation, and produces policy reports to improve outcomes for students facing barriers.
- Conducting impact litigation for education rightsFiles class action lawsuits and impact litigation to secure legal protections, access to quality education, and systemic reforms in the public school system, particularly when policy change is insufficient, and uses case findings to inform policy development and compliance monitoring.
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Organizational DEI Capacity Building 1 activity
- Conducting internal organizational research and assessmentConducted an internal employee demographic survey in November 2024 with 100% staff participation to assess workforce composition and inform equity practices.
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Human Rights & Peace Education Curriculum 1 activity
- Delivering trainings and workshops on education rightsConducts hundreds of free annual trainings, webinars, and workshops for parents, educators, and professionals to strengthen advocacy for children's education rights, including sessions tailored to partner agencies to build their capacity.
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Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 1 activity
- Expanding legal representation through Pro Bono Partners ProgramOperates a Pro Bono Partners Program that engages volunteer attorneys to expand legal representation for children and families, increasing access to advocacy and legal support in education matters.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Operating the Jill Chaifetz Education Helpline and individualized education supportRuns a helpline and deploys Educational Specialists to provide individualized support to families navigating education concerns, including school enrollment, special education services, and student rights.
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Education Policy Research and Analysis 1 activity
- Producing and distributing educational rights resourcesCreates and distributes fact sheets, tip sheets, and comprehensive guides on topics including school enrollment, special education, English Language Learner rights, standardized testing, early childhood programs, and autism spectrum disorders to support families and educators in understanding student rights.
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Family and Juvenile Legal Defense 1 activity
- Providing free legal and advocacy services to families on education rightsOffers free legal representation and advocacy support to families of students facing academic struggles, discrimination, or barriers to education, including representation at school-related hearings and appeals. Serves New York City students from birth through age 26, with a focus on low-income and marginalized communities.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Supporting youth leadership and awareness through Junior BoardOperates a Junior Board of young professionals who support the organization’s mission through fundraising, social media outreach, and networking, while raising awareness of education equity issues affecting underserved communities.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$11.21M
Contributions & grants$9.25M83%
Program service revenue$1.41M13%
Investment income$508K5%
Other revenue$35K
expenses
Total expenses$10.33M
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$7.56M
Grants paid out$578K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$24.54M
Cash$2.27M
Investments$14.65M
Liabilities$4.21M
Net assets$20.33M
Liquid reserves19.6 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +2.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIMBERLY B SWEET | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $276K |
| ANNE KLEIN | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | 40 | $201K |
| JENNIFER C PRINGLE | PROJECT DIRECTOR, LIT | 40 | $192K |
| MATTHEW LENAGHAN | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | 40 | $189K |
| RANDI LEVINE | POLICY DIRECTOR | 40 | $160K |
| ERIKA PALMER | SUPERVISING ATTORNEY | 40 | $153K |
board members · 17
- Ashish Shah — Member
- BRIAN FRIEDMAN — MEMBER
- CARMITA ALONSO — MEMBER
- ERIC F GROSSMAN — President Emeritus
- JAMIE A LEVITT — Past President
- JESSICA A DAVIS — MEMBER
- JON H ORAM — MEMBER
- JONATHAN D POLKES — MEMBER
- KIMBERLEY D HARRIS — President
- MATT BERKE — MEMBER
- MATT DARNALL — MEMBER
- MAURA K MONAGHAN — MEMBER
- Misti Ushio — Member
- PAUL D BECKER — TREASURER
- VERONICA M WISSEL — MEMBER
- Victoria Reese — MEMBER
- Whitney Chatterjee — MEMBER
relationships · 33
Who they work with
- Ali Forney Center Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- Arcallon, Inc. Partner — Employer of Junior Board Chair Alexandra Rodrigues, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership participation.
- Avenues for Justice Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- Bloomingdale Family Program Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- Campaign for Effective Behavioral Health Supports for Students Partner — Coalition partner working to improve behavioral health supports for students in New York City.
- Center for Babies, Toddlers and Families/Early Childhood Center (CBTF/ECC) at Montefiore Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- Department of Education Government — Monitors compliance with education laws and uses findings to inform policy development and advocacy efforts.
- Epstein Becker Green PC Partner — Employer of Junior Board member Amy Cooperstein, indicating organizational affiliation through participation.
- Foley Hoag LLP Partner — Employer of Junior Board Treasurer Jackie Kahan, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership participation.
- GO Project Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- Goddard Riverside Community Center Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- Lenox Hill Hospital’s Center for Attention and Learning Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- Logik.io Partner — Employer of Junior Board member Navya Prabhushankar, indicating organizational affiliation through participation.
- Morgan Stanley Partner — Employer of Junior Board Membership Chair Jennifer Park, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership participation.
- Mt. Sinai Adolescent Health Center Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP Partner — Employer of Junior Board member Andrew Hall, indicating organizational affiliation through participation.
- New York City Department of Education Government — Engages with the NYC public school system through advocacy, litigation, and policy reform efforts on behalf of students and families.
- New York City Health & Hospitals – Queens Government — Employer of Junior Board member Dolly Thomas, indicating organizational affiliation through participation.
- New York City High School Application Advisory Committee Partner — Advisory committee partner focused on improving the high school application process.
- New York Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents Partner — Coalition partner working to support children of incarcerated parents.
- Newcomer Education Network Partner — Network partner focused on improving education outcomes for newcomer students.
- PROMISE PROJECT at Columbia University Medical Center Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- Pro Bono Partners Program Partner — Collaborates with volunteer attorneys to provide legal representation to students.
- Quad Preparatory School Partner — Employer of Junior Board member Amanda Karasyk, indicating organizational affiliation through participation.
- Reevemark Partner — Employer of Junior Board Secretary Jill Steinman, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership participation.
- Robin Hood Funder — Funds partner agencies with which AFC collaborates to provide legal advocacy and case assistance to at-risk families.
- SCO Family of Services Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- SPAN Parent Advocacy Network Partner — Receives subgrants from SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, funded by the United States Rehabilitation Services Administration.
- Safe Horizon Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
- Sanctuary for Families Partner — Community-based organization funded by Robin Hood with which AFC partners to serve at-risk families on education-related matters.
+ 3 more
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.
- Capacity Building Through Accessible Education and Pro Bono Networksmethodology: capacity-building through educationBy providing free trainings, accessible rights-based information, and mobilizing pro bono attorneys, we expand advocacy capacity among parents and professionals, because equipping individuals with knowledge and legal support increases effective intervention in education inequities.
- Integrated Legal Advocacy and Family Empowermentmethodology: family-empowerment through legal and educational supportBy combining direct legal representation with parent education and skills-building, we ensure students receive their legal entitlements while empowering families to advocate effectively for their children, because engaged and informed parents are more likely to sustainably navigate and challenge systemic barriers in education.
- Systemic Change Through Coalition and Policy Advocacymethodology: coalition-based advocacyBy participating in coalitions, conducting policy research, and engaging in impact litigation, we drive systemic reform in education equity, because legal and policy-level interventions create scalable, lasting change that extends beyond individual cases.