irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $804KEPK/UPK - Learning begins with active interaction between the child and his or her environment. In Friendship's program, this often takes the form of play, a natural behavior of children. Friendship recognizes play- dynamic, creative and constructive activity - as one of the most profound means available to children for constructing and reconstructing, formatting and reformatting knowledge. We adopted the RCSD as a partner in collaboration on a curriculum adapted to the young child. The curriculum helps children by giving them a reliable and dependable structure to their day, a social emotional component and a curriculum that is appropriate for early learners. (Continued on Schedule O)27 Expanded Pre-Kindergarten (EPK) children attended and received a RCSD educational program. EPK is defined as any child who lives in the city of Rochester and is 3 before Dec. 1st of the school year. These children receive a free Pre-Kindergarten program paid for with funds from the RCSD. 36 Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) children attended and received a RCSD educational program. UPK is defined as any child who lives in the city of Rochester and is 4 by Dec. 1st of the school year. The curriculum is designed to prepare children for Kindergarten.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Expanded Pre-Kindergarten (EPK)
Free pre-kindergarten program for 3-year-old children residing in the city of Rochester, funded by the RCSD and delivered in partnership with Friendship Children's Center.
Kindergarten Transition Event
Annual field trip to Mary McLeod Bethune School (RCSD School No. 45) where UPK students and families visit kindergarten classrooms, the library, cafeteria, and gym to reduce anxiety and build familiarity with the school environment.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)
Free pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-old children residing in the city of Rochester, preparing them for kindergarten through a play-based, structured curriculum aligned with RCSD standards.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 2 activities
- Delivering structured early learning curricula in partnership with Rochester City School DistrictProvides EPK and UPK education to 27 three-year-olds and 36 four-year-olds in Rochester, preparing them for kindergarten through a structured curriculum delivered in partnership with the Rochester City School District. The center also organized a walking field trip for UPK students to visit Mary McLeod Bethune School to support kindergarten transition.
- Operating early childhood education and childcare programsProvides comprehensive childcare and early education services for children aged 18 months to 12 years, including toddler care, Expanded Pre-Kindergarten (EPK), Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), before and after school care, and summer programs. The center serves approximately 50 children grouped by age at its permanent facility on Fernwood Avenue in Rochester, NY, operating Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Engaging volunteers and managing in-kind donationsOffers volunteer opportunities in activities such as reading, tutoring, gardening, housekeeping, painting, and kitchen work, and accepts in-kind donations of durable toys, craft supplies, holiday food, gift cards, field trip tickets, and kitchen and housekeeping items.
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Sliding-Scale Tuition Programs 1 activity
- Implementing income-based sliding-scale tuition and volunteer contribution modelUses a sliding-scale tuition model based on family income, allowing parents to pay what they can afford or contribute through volunteer service. Children are admitted based on criteria including parental employment, illness, family instability, or need for socialization, particularly for only children.
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Children's Play and Motor Development Spaces 1 activity
- Maintaining facility and outdoor recreational spaceOperates a permanent childcare facility on Fernwood Avenue with a large outdoor play space for children’s physical activity and recently broke ground on a new gymnasium with support from the Board of Directors and DGA Builders.
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Virtual Education Continuity Programs 1 activity
- Offering virtual learning support during the pandemicProvided virtual learning services to EPK and UPK children during the pandemic and offered a supervised virtual learning environment for children in kindergarten through 6th grade at its daycare facility.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Operating transportation and enrollment services for school-age childrenProvides transportation pickup service for students at School #45 in the Rochester City School District and offers before and after school care programs for eligible children.
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CACFP Meal Service and Administration 1 activity
- Providing meals and health support servicesServes hot breakfast, lunch, and a daily snack family-style to enrolled children and conducts daily health screenings upon arrival. Maintains an isolation room for sick children and ensures access to a visiting nurse; staff are trained in first aid and CPR.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Ensuring program quality through accreditation and state licensingHolds accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a 5-star rating from Quality Stars NY, and is licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to operate a childcare facility.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.59M
Contributions & grants$131K8%
Program service revenue$1.37M86%
Investment income$80K5%
Other revenue$5K
expenses
Total expenses$1.34M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead22%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$940K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.50M
Cash$350K
Investments$1.42M
Liabilities$79K
Net assets$2.42M
Liquid reserves15.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +6.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joi McMurtry | Executive Director | 40 | $110K |
board members · 11
- Angela Coles — Member
- Dawn Minemier — Vice President
- Dina Smock — Member
- Gina Lord — President
- Julie Engard — Secretary
- Kathleen Russell — Member (through 6/25)
- Kim Napier — Member (12/24-5/25)
- Lauren McKinnon — Treasurer
- Lisa Shearer — Member
- Luca Zambito — Member
- Shannon Halligan — Member
relationships · 41
Who they work with
- American Heart Association Partner — Community partner working with Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Armbruster Capital Management Partner — Contributing organization supporting Friendship Children's Center Inc
- BOCES Partner — Community partner working with Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Bea & Ellen DeBuono Partner — Contributing individuals supporting Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Child and Adult Food Program Partner — Community partner working with Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Childern's Institute Behavioral Health Partner — Community partner working with Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Community Chest Government — Received funding from the Community Chest (now United Way) beginning in 1946.
- Cornell Extension Partner — Community partner working with Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Council of Social Agencies Coalition — Approved for membership in the Council of Social Agencies in 1946.
- DGA Builders Partner — Partnered with Friendship Children's Center on the construction of a new gymnasium.
- Diane Thresh Graphic Design Partner — Provided graphic design services for the Friendship Chair Project.
- Early Childhood Education Quality Council Partner — Community partner working with Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Eat Well and Play Hard Partner — Community partner working with Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Federal Works Agency Government — Received funding through the Lanham Act Grant during WWII to serve children of working mothers.
- Friends & Foundation of Rochester Public Library Partner — Partnered to host the Friendship Chairs exhibit at Rundel Memorial Building.
- Getataska Club Partner — Contributing organization supporting Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Greater Rochester Summer Learning Foundation Partner — Contributing organization supporting Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Knights of Columbus Council 4691 Partner — Provided support for the Friendship Chair Project.
- Luca Zambito Partner — Named individual associated with the organization.
- Mary McLeod Bethune School Partner — Collaborates with Friendship Children’s Center to host an annual kindergarten transition visit for UPK students and their families.
- Mather College Partner — Harriett Jones studied nurseries at Mather College in London; later received a significant donation from Grace Owen, former president of Mather College.
- National Accreditation for the Education of Young Children Network — Accrediting body for Friendship Children's Center
- National Association for the Education of Young Children Network — Accredited member organization providing early childhood education services aligned with NAEYC standards.
- Quality Stars NY Government — Recognized participant in New York State's quality rating and improvement system for early care and education providers.
- Rich Shannon Photography Partner — Provided photography services for the Friendship Chair Project.
- Rochester Area Community Foundation Partner — Contributing organization supporting Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Rochester City School District Partner — Collaborates with Friendship Children's Center Inc on the development and delivery of an early childhood education curriculum for EPK and UPK programs.
- Rochester City School District Partner — Community partner working with Friendship Children's Center Inc
- Rochester City School District Partner — Partners with Friendship Children’s Center to facilitate kindergarten transition activities at School No. 45.
- Rochester City School District Partner — Partners with the district to deliver EPK and UPK programs and provide student pickup services.
+ 11 more
strategies · 4
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.
- Childcare for Economic Stabilitymethodology: childcare_for_economic_stabilityBy providing reliable childcare to low-income families, parents are able to work or pursue education, thereby increasing family economic mobility and reducing poverty, because access to affordable early care removes a key barrier to employment.
- Kindergarten Transition Supportmethodology: kindergarten_transition_supportBy facilitating in-person exposure to kindergarten classrooms and peer interactions with current students, children build social-emotional readiness and reduce anxiety about school transitions because familiarity with the setting and peers increases confidence and belonging.
- Play-Based Learningmethodology: play_based_learningBy using dynamic, creative, and constructive play as a core pedagogical approach, children develop cognitive, emotional, and social skills because they naturally construct knowledge through active interaction with their environment.
- Structured Early Learning for School Readinessmethodology: structured_early_learning_curriculumBy implementing a structured early learning curriculum aligned with the Rochester City School District, children develop age-appropriate academic and social-emotional skills because consistent routines and coordinated content prepare them for the expectations of formal schooling.