irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0Program Strategy & Design - The "I Have A Dream" Foundation increases the organization's impact by constantly evaluating and improving our efforts to support current Affiliates and Chapters. The Foundation conducts annual surveys to evaluate current program offerings across the Network and provides resources to address areas that need improvement. The Foundation has implemented a college savings account (CSA) program at several Affiliates, with the goal of rolling out the program across the broader network. Using a cohort model, each Dreamer Scholar journey stretches over more than a decade of wrap-around programming. Throughout, we maintain a holistic approach that centers Dreamer Scholars overall well-being and anticipates developing needs and areas of focus as they reach new milestones. This ensures that the youth in our cohorts receive the broad-based, consistent support they need over time to develop into healthy, productive adults. Affiliate and Chapter staff stay closely connected with students throughout their schooling and beyond, offering a trusted and guiding presence. Six core pillars guide our year-round programming:Academic Enrichment & Support: Dreamer Scholars receive general and targeted academic support to excel from kindergarten through college.Socio-Emotional Learning & Life Skills: Our programs are designed to help students develop healthy identities, achieve goals, show empathy for others, establish and maintain relationships, and make responsible, healthy decisions.Family Partnership & Engagement: We work with families to include them in the process so we can work as partners in helping their students thrive.Post-Secondary Preparation and Work Readiness: Dreamer Scholars engage with staff and community partners to chart a path to reach their postsecondary and career aspirations and gain workplace readiness skills through career workshops, job tours and paid internships. IHDF also provides a guaranteed post-secondary scholarship. Mentoring & Support Networks: Dreamer Scholars are matched with long-term, reliable, supportive, and caring adults who provide individualized guidance and connection and serve as positive role models.Leadership & Civic Engagement: We promote community engagement and civic leadership, instilling Dreamer Scholars with the sense of belonging and responsibility that comes from being part of a larger community.
- #2 $0Data & Performance Management - The "I Have A Dream" Foundation continues to build out a central repository of current and historical performance data across the IHDF network in order to measure the organization's collective impact, drive continuous improvement efforts and resource allocation, and strengthen performance accountability.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
College Savings Account (CSA) Program
Establishes college savings accounts for Dreamer Scholars to increase college-going mindset and success rates; currently implemented in New York-Metro, Des Moines, and Oregon with plans for broader rollout.
Data & Performance Management
Builds a centralized data repository to track performance across the IHDF network, measure collective impact, and guide resource allocation and program improvement.
Dreamer Scholar Program
Provides long-term, wrap-around support to cohorts of students from early elementary school through high school graduation and into college, including academic support, mentoring, family engagement, and guaranteed tuition assistance.
Post-Secondary Preparation and Work Readiness
Offers career workshops, job tours, and paid internships to help Dreamer Scholars prepare for college and careers, in partnership with community organizations and employers.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Co-founds and sponsors local after-school and community programsCo-founded an after-school program at the East Palo Alto, CA Flood School providing academic and extracurricular support. Sponsors the Temple Emanu-El “I Have a Dream” program in Westfield, NJ.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Engages volunteers to support student programsMobilizes volunteers to provide tutoring, mentoring, administrative support, fundraising, public relations, technology assistance, and other specialized services. Organizes volunteer projects involving Dreamer Scholars as part of its sponsorship program.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Funds college tuition for students in its programsProvides guaranteed tuition support to Dreamer Scholars from kindergarten through college, including direct scholarship awards such as a $30,000 award for a Dreamer Scholar to attend Florida A&M University. Implements college savings account (CSA) programs in partnership with affiliates to ensure postsecondary affordability.
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Annual Impact and Evaluation Reporting 1 activity
- Measures and reports organizational impact through data and evaluationDevelops program metrics, maintains a centralized data repository, and conducts annual surveys of affiliate programs to assess performance and improve program quality. Produces and publishes annual impact and financial reports to communicate outcomes.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Provides long-term educational support to students from elementary school through college and into job placementOffers wrap-around academic, socio-emotional, and personal development support to Dreamer Scholars starting in first grade or kindergarten, continuing through high school, college, and into first job placement. Includes after-school, weekend, and summer programming for over ten years, with experiential learning and travel opportunities. Serves over 2,500 students through a network of 9 affiliates across 8 states and New Zealand.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Provides postsecondary preparation and work readiness programsDelivers career workshops, job tours, paid internships, and job placement support to prepare Dreamer Scholars for the workforce. Ensures college readiness through structured programming and long-term support.
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Regional Chapter Network Support 1 activity
- Supports a national network of affiliate programs serving underserved youthOversees and supports a network of more than 200 programs across 19–28 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and New Zealand, collectively serving over 18,000 Dreamer Scholars since 1981. Provides strategic leadership, program innovation, and partnership development to strengthen outcomes across the network.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$4.23M
Contributions & grants$4.34M102%
Program service revenue$39K1%
Investment income$31K1%
Other revenue$-175K
expenses
Total expenses$5.00M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$3.11M
Grants paid out$462K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.36M
Cash$188K
Investments$2.71M
Liabilities$914K
Net assets$2.45M
Liquid reserves7.0 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -0.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otis Hackney | President & CEO | 40 | $265K |
| LORI CANOVA | INTERIM CEO | 0 | $207K |
| NADIRA SAUNDERS | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 0 | $198K |
| RICHARD RIVERA | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 0 | $161K |
| DANNY MORRIS | Director of National Programs | 0 | $137K |
board members · 20
- A William Stein — Director
- Andrew J Berg — Director
- Barry Mandel — Director
- Danilo Rodriguez — Director
- Dr Mariama Grimes — Director
- Eugena Oh — Treasurer
- Fenton Joseph — Director
- Gregory F Back — Director
- Harlan Stone — Vice Chair
- Helen Lang Suskin — Director
- Jeffrey R Gural — Director
- Jeremiah Lucey — Director
- Jonas Severe — Director
- Lianne Friedland — Director
- Llewellyn P Haden Jr — Director
- Mansi Mehan — Director
- Mark Fornasiero — Director
- Michael Barrett — Director
- Peter Patch — Director
- Richard Saltzman — Chairman
relationships · 38
Who they work with
- "I Have A Dream" Charitable Trust Network — International affiliate organization in New Zealand providing long-term support to Dreamer Scholars.
- "I Have A Dream" Foundation - New York Metro Area Partner — Warren Eisenberg serves on the board of this affiliate organization.
- "I Have A Dream" Foundation - Plainfield, NJ Partner — Warren Eisenberg serves on the board of this affiliate organization.
- "I Have A Dream" Foundation of Boulder County Network — Affiliate organization in the national network providing long-term support to Dreamer Scholars.
- "I Have A Dream" Foundation of Miami, Inc. Network — Affiliate organization in the national network providing long-term support to Dreamer Scholars.
- "I Have A Dream" Foundation—Atlanta Network — Affiliate organization in the national network providing long-term support to Dreamer Scholars.
- "I Have A Dream" Foundation—Dallas Network — Affiliate organization in the national network providing long-term support to Dreamer Scholars.
- "I Have A Dream" Foundation—Los Angeles Network — Affiliate organization in the national network providing long-term support to Dreamer Scholars.
- "I Have A Dream" Foundation—Milwaukee Network — Affiliate organization in the national network providing long-term support to Dreamer Scholars.
- "I Have A Dream" Foundation—New Jersey Network — Affiliate organization in the national network providing long-term support to Dreamer Scholars.
- "I Have A Dream" Foundation—New York Network — Affiliate organization in the national network providing long-term support to Dreamer Scholars.
- Boulder Partner — Location of program implementation serving students including Amirah in first grade.
- Brooklyn Museum Partner — Katie Lisa served as interim Development Director, managing fundraising and donor relationships.
- CBS Partner — Featured the "I Have A Dream" Foundation in its CBS Cares public service announcement campaign.
- COMPASS Elementary Program, P.S. 146 Partner — Hosts an "I Have A Dream" Foundation program site where the organization implements its long-term support model for students.
- Children's Aid Partner — Collaborated on community partnerships, AmeriCorps programs, and collective impact initiatives focused on education access and family support.
- Columbia University Partner — Katie Lisa held a development role at Columbia College; Sarah Morgenthau earned her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law.
- Community Affairs and HR departments Partner — Engages community affairs and HR departments to create local employee engagement and volunteer opportunities.
- Corporate Foundations Partner — Partners with corporate foundations to support on-the-ground programs for children in under-resourced communities.
- Denver Partner — Location of program implementation serving students including Eduardo in third grade.
- Des Moines Partner — Affiliate implementing college savings account (CSA) program and receiving organizational support
- Des Moines Partner — Location of program implementation serving students including Pacifique in fourth grade.
- Development Department Partner — Internal department supporting donor engagement and planned giving.
- Employee giving departments Partner — Collaborates with employee giving departments to facilitate corporate contributions, workplace giving, and matching gifts.
- Ernst & Young U.S. LLP Partner — Andrea Bartow previously worked in the International Tax and Transaction Services practice, advising multinational clients on cross-border transactions.
- Flood School, East Palo Alto, CA Partner — Mark Fornasiero co-founded an after-school program at this school.
- Guggenheim Partner — Secured support from global foundations for general operations, exhibitions, and educational programs during Katie Lisa's tenure as Associate Director of Institutional Giving.
- Industry coalitions Partner — Collaborates with industry coalitions on large-scale projects with mutual areas of interest.
- Los Angeles Partner — Location of program implementation serving students including Gabby in second grade.
- Marketing teams Partner — Works with marketing teams on cause-aligned campaigns and licensing programs that leverage combined brand reach.
+ 8 more
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.
- College-Going Identity through Financial Incentives and Savingsmethodology: college_savings_modelBy offering college tuition support and establishing college savings accounts, the organization strengthens students' college-going mindset and incentivizes high school persistence, because early financial signaling and conditional investment foster long-term educational aspirations and accountability.
- Community-Driven and Individualized Programmingmethodology: community_centered_modelBy centering the lived experiences of Dreamer Scholars, families, and communities and tailoring support to individual needs, the organization increases program effectiveness, because authentic community participation and personalization foster relevance, trust, and engagement.
- Holistic Youth Development with Socio-Emotional Integrationmethodology: holistic_supportBy integrating academic support with socio-emotional learning, life skills, and mental health needs, the organization enables students to achieve ambitious personal and academic goals, because holistic development addresses barriers beyond the classroom that impact long-term success.
- Long-Term Cohort Model with Wrap-Around Supportmethodology: cradle_to_careerBy providing continuous, coordinated support from childhood through post-secondary success, the organization fosters sustained academic and personal development, because long-term engagement builds trust, stability, and accountability that short-term interventions cannot achieve.
- Racial and Social Justice-Centered Program Designmethodology: racial_justice_centeredBy embedding racial justice, civil rights, and equity into youth development programming, the organization advances educational equity and long-term success for underserved youth, because confronting systemic oppression is necessary to create meaningful opportunity and belonging.