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PREP FOR PREP
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 132613383 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B110 · Education · Large ($10M-$50M) · prepforprep.org
revenue
$11.2M
expenses
$15.5M
net assets
$61.8M
employees
225
volunteers
553
program ratio
83%
mission · from form 990

PREP FOR PREP ENVISIONS A NATION GUIDED BY ETHICAL AND EFFECTIVE LEADERS WHO REFLECT OUR SOCIETY. AFTER 47 YEARS OF SERVICE, PREP IS NOW MORE THAN 5,000 STUDENTS AND ALUMNI STRONG, CREATING GENERATIONS OF LEADERS WHO ARE INSPIRING CHANGE, SHAPING OUR DEMOCRACY, AND CONTRIBUTING TO AND GROWING OUR GLOBAL ECONOMY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Prep for Prep is a New York City-based educational nonprofit that identifies high-achieving public school students and prepares them for placement in independent day and boarding schools. The program provides academic training, ongoing counseling, college guidance, and leadership development to support students from middle school through college and into alumni networks. It focuses on cultivating ethical and effective leaders from diverse backgrounds.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $3.49M
    COUNSELING PREP PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING FOR APPROXIMATELY 700 STUDENTS ANNUALLY THROUGHOUT THEIR TIME (RANGING FROM 4-6 YEARS) IN INDEPENDENT DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOLS. OUR COUNSELING TEAM MONITORS STUDENTS' ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL PROGRESS AND PROVIDES ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING TUTORING AND EMERGENCY FUND SUPPORT, TO STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS NEEDED. THE TEAM WORKS TO EQUIP STUDENTS, WHO ARE ALSO NAVIGATING ADOLESCENCE, TO ADDRESS ISSUES RANGING FROM IMPOSTER SYNDROME TO PERFECTIONISM; FROM ANXIETY TO DEPRESSION; FROM CULTURAL DIVIDES TO SENSE OF BELONGING. SERVICES AND SUPPORT ARE ALSO MADE AVAILABLE TO APPROXIMATELY 600 COLLEGE STUDENTS ANNUALLY THROUGH OUR UNDERGRADUATE AFFAIRS TEAM.
  2. #2 $2.20M
    LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PREP OFFERS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES DURING HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE TO ROUGHLY 1,300 STUDENTS ANNUALLY. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: SLEEP-AWAY CAMP; A PREP-SOTHEBY'S PARTNERSHIP FOR OUR SUMMER ARTS ACADEMY; A PREP-GOOGLE PARTNERSHIP FOR OUR INSTITUTE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP (IFE); COLLEGE GUIDANCE (INCLUDING CAMPUS VISITS); STUDENT LEADERSHIP RETREATS; SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AND CAREER SEMINARS WITH LEADING FIRMS, COMPANIES, NONPROFITS, AND PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCIES; EXPOSURE TO STEM FIELDS AND COMPUTER CODING; TRAVEL ABROAD, INTERNATIONAL LIVING, AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING; AND OTHER PROGRAMS AIMED AT EXPANDING STUDENT HORIZONS. THESE OPPORTUNITIES INCREASE STUDENTS' SENSE OF BELONGING, BROADEN UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE'S POSSIBILITIES, AND BUILD A STRONGER SELF-CONFIDENCE.
named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

Alumni Affairs
Facilitates networking, reunions, professional development, and engagement opportunities for alumni
College Guidance
Advises students on college applications, financial aid, SAT preparation, and college visits, with focus on first-generation college applicants
Leadership Development Opportunities
Provides paid internships, travel abroad, and cultural activities to broaden student experiences and build leadership skills
Placement Program
Supports placement of students into independent day schools (7th grade) or boarding schools (9th grade) with assistance in applications and financial aid
Post-Placement Counseling
Ongoing academic and personal support for students in grades 7–12 through monthly meetings, family support, and school advocacy
Preparatory Component
14-month course of study including two summer sessions and weekly after-school programming to prepare students for independent school placement
Undergraduate Support
Offers individual advising, transition workshops, and social gatherings to support college students academically and personally
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • High School Placement Support 3 activities
    • Family support and engagement
      Supports families through financial aid applications, college trips, summer boarding school retreats, and school visit coordination to ensure student success in independent and specialized high schools.
    • Preparatory program for independent school placement
      Operates a 14-month intensive academic enrichment program for sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students, including after-school, weekend, and summer sessions, to prepare them for entry into top independent day and boarding schools in New York City and the Northeast.
    • Student placement in independent schools
      Places students in independent day and boarding schools across New York City and the Northeast, partnering with over 80 schools to secure enrollment and $40 million in financial aid annually for approximately 681 students.
  • Student Support and Academic Services 2 activities
    • Ongoing academic and personal support for K–12 students
      Provides comprehensive support to students in grades 7–12 through regular counseling, academic monitoring, social-emotional learning, mental health resources, and advocacy, including in-person and virtual meetings and coordination with school administrators.
    • Undergraduate and alumni student support
      Offers individual advising, transition workshops, and social gatherings to support undergraduate students’ academic and personal success, continuing support beyond college enrollment.
  • Alumni Community Building 1 activity
    • Alumni engagement and leadership development
      Engages alumni through volunteering, donor networks, and leadership development initiatives, with over 130 alumni volunteers and 580 donors annually supporting the organization’s mission.
  • College Access and Success Support 1 activity
    • College guidance and enrollment support
      Provides college application advising, financial aid assistance, SAT preparation, and spring break college visits to support students, resulting in enrollment of 568 students in over 150 colleges annually.
  • Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
    • Cultural and social programming
      Organizes cultural, sporting, and social events—including the Lilac Ball and student art exhibitions—to foster personal growth, community engagement, and leadership development for students and alumni.
  • Alumni Leadership and Career Support Programs 1 activity
    • Graduate degree and advanced education support
      Supports alumni in pursuing advanced degrees, with 649 MA/MS, 311 JD, and 268 MBA degrees attained among the alumni community.
  • Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
    • Leadership development and internship placement
      Provides leadership development opportunities including paid internships, travel abroad, and professional experiences; secures over 210 internships annually with more than 100 employers for students.
  • Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
    • Professional development and global outreach
      Forms partnerships with over 200 organizations worldwide to provide consulting, technical assistance, and conferences; indirectly impacts 250,000 young people globally through the Smart Connections initiative.
  • Youth Safety and Protection Programs 1 activity
    • Student safety and protective policies
      Implements comprehensive safety protocols including mandatory background checks, employee training, reporting requirements, and community education on boundaries and misconduct to protect minor participants.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$11.17M
Contributions & grants$10.47M94%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$704K6%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$15.47M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$10.09M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$62.97M
Cash$3.31M
Investments$49.17M
Liabilities$1.18M
Net assets$61.79M
Liquid reserves40.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -22.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 8
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
RUTH JURGENSEN CEO THROUGH 11/15/24 40 $424K
JACKSON COLLINS CEO FROM 11/18/24 40 $315K
SHARON MADISON CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 40 $275K
REBECCA ERVEY DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AN 40 $253K
NIKOLE SMITH DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC PROGR 40 $240K
JOHANNA RODRIGUEZ DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS 40 $224K
CINDY PEREZ DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP DEV 40 $216K
ROBERTA OSORIO DIRECTOR OF POST-PLACEMENT COUNSELING 40 $194K
board members · 17
  • ALEX CLAVEL — TRUSTEE
  • ALEXANDER R EDLICH — TRUSTEE
  • ALEXIS MULVIHILL — TRUSTEE SINCE 10/8/24
  • ANITA VOLZ WIEN — TRUSTEE
  • ANSON H BEARD — TRUSTEE
  • ANTHONY KIM — TRUSTEE
  • ARTHUR MAGNUS — TRUSTEE
  • ARUN ALAGAPPAN — TRUSTEE
  • BAILY BLAIR KEMPNER — TRUSTEE SINCE 11/12/24
  • BELINDA PESTANA — TRUSTEE SINCE 5/6/25
  • BRIAN C WILLE — TRUSTEE
  • CARL D HARNICK — TRUSTEE
  • CATHERINE COLE — TRUSTEE SINCE 10/19/24
  • CHARLES F STEWART — TRUSTEE
  • CHRISTINA CLAUDIO — TRUSTEE SINCE 10/8/24
  • CHRISTOPHER JAMES — PRESIDENT
  • CHRISTOPHER ORTEGA — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 19

Who they work with

  • Andover Partner — Independent boarding school where Prep for Prep students have enrolled and graduated.
  • Choate Partner — Independent boarding school where Prep for Prep students have enrolled and graduated.
  • Colgate-Palmolive Partner — Employer providing internships to Prep for Prep students.
  • College Guidance Partner — Collaborates with Post-Placement Counseling to host college trips for high school juniors.
  • Columbia University’s Teachers College Partner — Supported the founding of Prep for Prep in 1978.
  • Dalton Partner — Independent day school where Prep for Prep students have enrolled and graduated.
  • Deerfield Partner — Independent boarding school where Prep for Prep students have enrolled and graduated.
  • Exeter Partner — Independent boarding school where Prep for Prep students have enrolled and graduated.
  • Horace Mann Partner — Independent day school where Prep for Prep students have enrolled and graduated.
  • JPMorgan Chase & Co. Partner — Employer providing internships to Prep for Prep students.
  • Kelso & Company, L.P. Partner — Honored at Prep for Prep’s Lilac Ball as a Champion of Opportunity.
  • LISC Partner — Employer providing internships to Prep for Prep students.
  • Pfizer Partner — Employer providing internships to Prep for Prep students.
  • Poly Prep Partner — Independent day school where Prep for Prep students have enrolled and graduated.
  • Smart Connections Partner — Initiative that provides consulting and technical assistance to other organizations based on Prep for Prep's model.
  • Trinity Partner — Independent day school where Prep for Prep students have enrolled and graduated.
  • Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Partner — Employer providing internships to Prep for Prep students.
  • development@prepforprep.org Partner — Contact point for individuals interested in joining the Associates Council
  • leading independent day or boarding school Partner — Partners with independent day and boarding schools in New York City and the Northeast to place and support students.
strategies · 7

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.

  • Alumni-Engaged Governance Model
    methodology: alumni-engaged governance
    By involving alumni as financially contributing board members, we strengthen organizational sustainability and mission fidelity because lived experience ensures leadership remains aligned with student needs and long-term impact.
  • Alumni-Engaged Governance Model
    methodology: alumni-engaged governance
    By structuring governance around a board of trustees composed largely of financially contributing alumni, Prep for Prep sustains organizational mission and operations because alumni leadership reinforces accountability, cultural continuity, and long-term investment in student outcomes.
  • Immersive Acclimation to Elite School Environments
    methodology: immersive_acclimation
    By immersing students in boarding school settings through on-campus summer programs, we increase their likelihood of success because early exposure reduces cultural and social barriers and builds familiarity with institutional expectations.
  • Integrated Academic and Leadership Development
    methodology: academic_and_leadership_development
    By combining rigorous academic preparation with leadership development, we produce students capable of thriving in competitive environments because intellectual and character growth are mutually reinforcing.
  • Leadership-Integrated Academic Preparation
    methodology: academic_and_leadership_development
    By combining rigorous academic programming with intentional leadership development, Prep for Prep prepares students for success in competitive environments because excellence in both domains is required to thrive and lead in high-pressure educational and career pathways.
  • Long-Term, Continuous Student Support
    methodology: long-term_student_support
    By supporting students continuously from middle school through college, we produce higher educational and leadership outcomes because sustained engagement builds resilience, academic discipline, and institutional navigation skills over time.
  • Long-Term, Holistic Student Support Model
    methodology: holistic_student_support
    By providing continuous academic, social-emotional, and counseling support from middle school through college, Prep for Prep produces sustained educational success and leadership development because long-term engagement addresses systemic barriers and fosters resilience in students navigating elite institutions.