irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $380KFUTURES IGNITE PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGE AND CAREER ADVISING TO ALL STUDENTS AT PARTNER PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE BRONX AND UPPER MANHATTAN. WORKING IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP, FUTURES IGNITE HELPS ENSURE AN ADVISING RATIO OF APPROXIMATELY ONE POSTSECONDARY COUNSELOR FOR EVERY 40 STUDENTS, SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDING ACCESS TO INDIVIDUALIZED GUIDANCE IN SCHOOLS WHERE COUNSELOR-TO-STUDENT RATIOS OFTEN EXCEED NATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS.ADVISORS SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGH COLLEGE APPLICATIONS, FINANCIAL AID, AND POSTSECONDARY PLANNING, AND WORK WITH STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS AT NEW YORK STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIESPROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER PERSISTENCE AND GRADUATION RATES. APPROXIMATELY 85% OF FUTURES IGNITE STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR THESE PROGRAMS, AND THE ORGANIZATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH STUDENTS TO ENSURE THEY ARE MATCHED WITH INSTITUTIONS WHERE THEY CAN SUCCEED.FUTURES IGNITE ALSO SUPPORTS STUDENTS PURSUING PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS AND ALTERNATIVES TO FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE, HELPING MATCH STUDENTS WITH CREDENTIAL PROGRAMS, TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, MILITARY SERVICE, OR WORKFORCE PATHWAYS ALIGNED WITH THEIR INTERESTS AND GOALS. THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS, EMBEDDING THESE SUPPORTS AS PART OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TO ENSURE CONSISTENT GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS YEAR AFTER YEAR.
- #2 $3KFUTURES IGNITE CONNECTS STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES TO CAREER-CONNECTED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, INTERNSHIPS, AND EARLY CAREER PATHWAYS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNIVERSITIES, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN PAID INTERNSHIPS, CIVIC SCIENCE LEADERSHIP ROLES, AND CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAMS THAT BUILD PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND EXPOSE THEM TO FIELDS SUCH AS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, PUBLIC HEALTH, URBAN PLANNING, AND COMMUNITY ADVOCACY.THROUGH PROGRAMS CONNECTED TO THE GREEN CORRIDOR AND CIVIC SCIENCE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES, STUDENTS ENGAGE IN PRE-COLLEGE EXPERIENCES, INTERNSHIPS, AND MENTORSHIP WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP THEM EXPLORE PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS AND BUILD NETWORKS. FUTURES IGNITE ALSO OPERATES ALUMNI BRIDGE PROGRAMMING, WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT TO GRADUATES AS THEY TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL INTO COLLEGE, CREDENTIAL PROGRAMS, MILITARY SERVICE, OR THE WORKFORCE. THIS INCLUDES GUIDANCE DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, CONNECTIONS TO INTERNSHIPS AND EARLY JOB OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUED MENTORSHIP TO HELP ALUMNI SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH THEIR POSTSECONDARY AND PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Alumni Bridge Program
Provides ongoing support to recent graduates during their first year after high school to ensure persistence in college, credential programs, workforce training, or military service.
Career-Connected Learning
Connects students and alumni to internships, early career pathways, and professional networks in fields such as environmental science, public health, and urban planning through partnerships with universities and industry professionals.
Civic Science Leadership
Students conduct research on community environmental issues such as air quality and urban heat, present findings publicly, and develop leadership and college-ready skills.
Future Hubs
School-based program hubs embedded in partner high schools that provide college and career readiness, civic-science leadership, and leadership development from 9th grade through the first year after graduation.
Postsecondary Pathways
Comprehensive college and career advising program that supports students with college applications, financial aid, and postsecondary planning, including alignment with New York State Opportunity Programs.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 3 activities
- Alumni bridge program for postsecondary transitionRuns an alumni bridge program that supports recent graduates with first-year guidance, internship placements, job opportunities, and mentorship as they transition into college, credential programs, military service, or the workforce.
- Connecting students to internships and career explorationConnects students and recent graduates to paid internships, civic science leadership roles, and career exploration programs in fields such as environmental science, public health, urban planning, and community advocacy.
- Operation of Future Hubs for college and career explorationOperates Future Hubs within partner high schools to deliver structured college and career exploration during the school day, supporting students in developing postsecondary plans.
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College Access and Success Support 2 activities
- College and career advising in partner high schoolsProvides college and career advising to students at public high schools in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan, maintaining a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:40. Services include academic support, college application assistance, and postsecondary planning.
- College application and transition support eventsOrganizes recurring events to guide students through the college application, decision, and transition processes, including virtual college marches during the pandemic to maintain engagement and tradition.
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Climate Change Public Awareness & Advocacy 1 activity
- Climate activism and public engagement for WHEELS seniorsFacilitates climate activism engagement and public speaking opportunities for WHEELS seniors, including participation in live broadcasts such as NY1's New Year’s Eve event in Times Square.
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Admissions Outreach and Enrollment Support 1 activity
- K-8 school admissions support for students and familiesServes over 100 K–8 students and their families annually by providing guidance and support in navigating the New York City school admissions process.
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Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
- Student research and public presentation on community issuesEngages students in conducting and publicly presenting original research on local community issues such as air quality and urban heat.
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Youth Development and Support Services 1 activity
- Support for undocumented young people through WHEELS programProvides a supportive environment for undocumented youth through the WHEELS program, offering counseling, college transition support (including in-person visits), and leadership development.
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Program Monitoring & Evaluation 1 activity
- Tracking and reporting student outcomesSystematically tracks and reports on key student outcomes including college matriculation, persistence, graduation rates, and leadership development across its programs.
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Youth Workforce Development in Food & Environment 1 activity
- Youth environmental leadership and paid conservation jobsDesigns and manages youth environmental leadership programs that offer high school students paid conservation jobs, leadership development, and civic science engagement opportunities.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.66M
Contributions & grants$1.66M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1470%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$1.75M
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$1.16M
Grants paid out$31K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$628K
Cash$85K
Investments$0
Liabilities$253K
Net assets$374K
Liquid reserves0.6 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -4.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOLLY DELANO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $158K |
| JANELL BARTLEY | SENIOR DIRECTOR | 40 | $145K |
board members · 13
- AGNES MENTRE — DIRECTOR
- AMRIKA FRANCISCO — DIRECTOR (THRU 6/15/25)
- ANDREW MORRIS — DIRECTOR
- ARAVIND MOHAN — DIRECTOR
- BRIAN BURT — DIRECTOR
- ELAINE ROCHA — DIRECTOR (BEGAN 9/24)
- JENNIFER NEGRON — VICE CHAIR
- JOEL PERELMUTH — DIRECTOR
- JONATHAN VAZCONES — DIRECTOR
- KAREN PHILLIPS — DIRECTOR
- KRISTIN OHNSTAD — CO-CHAIR
- SERGIO ABRAMOVICH — DIRECTOR
- YEMISI YOOSUF — CO-CHAIR
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- Chalkbeat Partner — Published a feature story about a student's experience with the organization's counseling program.
- Edutopia Partner — Collaborated on a report profiling college readiness programs for first-generation students.
- Friends of WHEELS Partner — Partner organization whose programs for first-generation students were profiled in a college readiness report.
- Groundwork Hudson Valley Partner — Former employer and program partner where staff developed youth environmental job programs
- HuffPost Partner — Collaborates on media coverage highlighting experiences of undocumented youth.
- IN-Tech Academy Partner — Partner school participating in Futures Ignite programs, including college readiness activities.
- IN-Tech Academy Partner — Partner school where Postsecondary Pathways programming is implemented
- In Tech Academy Partner — School partner led by Principal David Weissberg, where Futures Ignite implements its model.
- In-Tech Academy Partner — Partner school where Futures Ignite delivers college and career advising programs.
- Jonas Bronck Academy Partner — Partner school where Lead College Counselor serves as on-site program lead
- Manhattan Times Partner — Collaborates on media coverage of senior climate activism initiatives.
- NY1 Partner — Collaborated with NY1 to feature WHEELS students in a live broadcast interview about climate change.
- New York State Colleges and Universities Partner — Collaboration to match eligible students with opportunity programs offering academic and financial support.
- Partner Public High Schools in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan Partner — Long-term partnership providing embedded college and career advising services within schools.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partner — Partnered on riparian habitat restoration along the Saw Mill River
- Universities, Nonprofit Organizations, and Industry Professionals Partner — Partnerships to connect students and alumni to internships, career-connected learning, and mentorship opportunities.
- WHEELS Partner — Founding partner school where Futures Ignite began in 2012.
- WHEELS Partner — Partner school participating in the Alumni Bridge Program
- White House Government — Engaged with the White House through recognition of a WHEELS student in a presidential speech on college opportunity.
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.
- Equity-Centered, Whole-School College Readinessmethodology: equity-centered_educationBy using a whole-school model focused on dismantling racial and socioeconomic inequities, we ensure all students—regardless of academic performance or background—develop postsecondary plans, because universal access within an equity-centered framework reduces opportunity gaps.
- Individualized Postsecondary Persistence Supportmethodology: postsecondary_persistence_supportBy providing individualized, action-oriented support during late high school and the first year after graduation, we increase postsecondary persistence, because transitional periods require tailored guidance to navigate systemic barriers.
- Multipathway Advising for Student Goalsmethodology: multiple_pathways_advisingBy supporting multiple postsecondary pathways—including college, credential programs, workforce training, and military service—we align advising with student interests and goals, because honoring diverse aspirations increases relevance, engagement, and long-term success.
- School-Embedded Advising Modelmethodology: school-embedded_advisingBy embedding college and career advising directly within public high schools, we provide continuous, relationship-based support that increases student engagement and postsecondary planning, because proximity and consistency strengthen trust and access.
- Youth Leadership and Community-Connected Learningmethodology: community-centered_youth_developmentBy integrating youth leadership development and civic science with community partnerships, we build student agency and real-world skills, because positioning students as experts in local issues fosters ownership, confidence, and community impact.