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EDUCATORS OF AMERICA INC
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 473419747 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE B02 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · educatorsusa.org
revenue
$147K
expenses
$139K
net assets
$-134K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

EDUCATORS OF AMERICA INCREASES STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BY CONNECTING TEACHERS WITH THE TRAINING & TECHNOLOGY THEY NEED. WE BUILD SCHOOLS IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD FOR DESERVING COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUR BUILDING HOPE CAMPAIGN & OFFER OUR BUILDING CULTURAL BRIDGES PROGRAM TO CONNECT STUDENTS IN THE U.S. WITH THEIR PEERS IN AFRICA. WE PROACTIVELY ADVOCATE FOR EQUAL ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION & STEM CAREERS FOR WOMEN, GIRLS, & UNDER-REPRESENTED GROUPS.THE ORGANIZATION ALSO RECEIVES IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ADVERTISING FROM GOOGLE ADGRANTS AND SOFTWARE AND LICENSES FROM SALESFORCE. THOUGH THE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT RECOGNIZED AS REVENUE FOR 990 PURPOSES, THE ADVERTISING, SOFTWARE, & LICENSE DONATIONS ARE USED GREATLY IN ASSISTING THE ORGANIZATION IN COMPLETING THEIR PROGRAM SERVICES AND PURSUING ITS MISSION.

profile · synthesized from sources

Nonprofit organization focused on improving student achievement by equipping teachers with training and technology. Operates the Building Cultural Bridges program, connecting students in the U.S. with peers in Namibia, Tonga, and the Marshall Islands through project-based learning and video conferencing. Also advocates for equity in education and STEM access for underrepresented groups, with programs supported by grants and partnerships with BOCES and Peace Corps.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Building Cultural Bridges (BCB)
Connects middle school students in the U.S. with peers in Namibia, Tonga, and the Marshall Islands through virtual exchanges, letter writing, and collaborative project-based learning to build global awareness and 21st-century skills.
Building Hope Campaign
Constructs schools in developing countries to expand access to quality education infrastructure, though specific project locations are not detailed on the website.
Professional Development & Teacher Training
Provides training for educators in project-based learning, technology integration, and culturally responsive teaching, delivered by a national faculty of experienced education leaders.
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Teacher Professional Development 3 activities
    • Deliver project-based learning (PBL) training and coaching for educators
      Provides professional development in project-based learning, including customized coaching for over 75 teachers, development of PBL pathways for STEM/STEAM instruction, and support integrating technology into lesson plans. Programs are delivered in the U.S., sub-Saharan Africa, and the Pacific region.
    • Manage professional development and international programs for education consortia
      Manages professional development and international program components for the Learning Technology Grant consortium.
    • Offer professional development certificate programs for educators
      Offers certificate programs for educators who complete training in Project-Based Learning and technology integration.
  • Educational Technology Access and Support 2 activities
    • Provide EdTech support and tools to educators and students
      Supplies video technology equipment and trained personnel to support classroom connections across global school districts, and helps teachers integrate technology tools into instruction to improve student engagement and achievement.
    • Support educator and student potential through resource access
      Ensures teachers and students have access to tools, technology, and training needed to achieve their full potential, including through intern and volunteer engagement in grant research, technology support, and fundraising.
  • Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
    • Advocate for equity in education and STEM access
      Advocates for equal access to high-quality education and STEM careers, with a focus on women, girls, and under-represented groups, and supports pro-Black policies through educator collaboration and communities of practice.
  • School Infrastructure Development 1 activity
    • Build schools in the developing world
      Builds schools in developing countries through the Building Hope Campaign, including infrastructure construction supported by international delegations.
  • Education Policy Research and Analysis 1 activity
    • Conduct research on education technology and instructional methods
      Conducts long-term research on emerging technologies and innovative education policies to improve student achievement, in partnership with Evaluand, LLC, and submits 2–5 research proposals annually to federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Education.
  • Teacher & Classroom Innovation Grants 1 activity
    • Fund classroom education technology through teacher-directed microgrants
      Administers a MicroGrant Program that awards funding for classroom technology based on direct applications from teachers.
  • High School Exchange Programs 1 activity
    • Operate the Building Cultural Bridges Program for cross-cultural student exchange
      Connects U.S. middle school students (Grades 5–8) with peers in Namibia, Tonga, and other regions through virtual interactions, letter exchanges, electronic field trips, and joint project-based learning to develop 21st Century Skills and cultural understanding. The program has been active since 2017.
  • Charity Event Organization 1 activity
    • Organize fundraising and awareness events
      Organizes and facilitates fundraising and awareness events such as golf tournaments, charity dinners, and 5K runs, and offers organizational partnerships to support these initiatives.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Enhance literacy and environmental education in Tonga
      Works to improve literacy rates and promote lifelong learning among students in Tonga, with a focus on environmental literacy and climate resilience skills development.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$147K
Contributions & grants$22K15%
Program service revenue$120K82%
Investment income——
Other revenue$1
expenses
Total expenses$139K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$59K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$25K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$-134K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +7.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MICHAEL LYNCH EDM CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE DIRECTO 35 $44K
BRETT CLAYDON MA TREASURER 30 $6K
board members · 3
  • KIRK KNESTIS PHD — DIRECTOR
  • MARA BEUKES — DIRECTOR
  • TYLER KREMPA — DIRECTOR
relationships · 39

Who they work with

  • Atherton Family Foundation Funder — Awarded a grant to support Educators of America's programs
  • Buffalo Government — Headquarters location and primary area for fundraising events and volunteer recruitment.
  • Buffalo State College Network — Tyler earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Special Education from Buffalo State College.
  • Building Cultural Bridges Partner — Program aimed at fostering cross-cultural educational connections, particularly with sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific.
  • Building Hope Campaign Partner — Program supporting educational resilience and access through targeted initiatives.
  • EdTech Research & Review Partner — Program focused on evaluating and supporting the integration of education technology in classrooms.
  • Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES Partner — Collaborates on educational initiatives and serves as sub-contractor on grant programs
  • Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES Partner — Consortium partner and lead educational agency for the Learning Technology Grant; collaborates with Educators of America to implement the Building Cultural Bridges program.
  • Evaluand, LLC Partner — Research partnership through Kirk Knestis, founding Principal of Evaluand, LLC and Board Member of Educators of America.
  • Fortune 500 companies Partner — Engages CEOs of Fortune 500 companies as potential partners or donors.
  • Friends of Tonga Partner — Collaborates on projects related to education and professional development
  • Friends of Tonga Partner — Collaborates with Educators of America to implement the Building Cultural Bridges program in Tonga.
  • Google AdGrants Partner — Provides in-kind advertising contributions through Google AdGrants.
  • Habitat for Humanity Partner — Partnership to transition model houses designed by students into actual homes for those in need.
  • Las Vegas Government — Secondary location for events and volunteer recruitment.
  • MindsInAction Partner — Collaborates on educational programs
  • Namibia Partner — Host country for the Building Cultural Bridges program, where students and teachers engage in intercultural exchange with U.S. classrooms.
  • National Peace Corps Association Funder — Provided funding through the Community Fund Grant program
  • National Science Foundation Government — Receives research proposals from Educators of America for funding consideration.
  • Nelson Mandela University Network — Mara Beukes holds an honorary degree from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa.
  • New York State Education Department Government — Provides Learning Technology Grant funding through a consortium led by Erie 2 BOCES, with Educators of America as sub-contractor
  • Peace Corps Partner — Provides expertise and volunteer resources that support the Building Cultural Bridges program in Tonga.
  • Peace Corps Namibia Partner — Jointly developed the Building Cultural Bridges Program with Educators of America.
  • Peace Corps Namibia Partner — Partners on educational projects in Namibia
  • Professional Development Partner — One of five core programs through which the organization delivers teacher training and support.
  • Rollins College Network — Mike Lynch graduated from Rollins College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources.
  • Rutherford B. Gaston Middle School Partner — Partnered to design and implement project-based learning training resulting in a school community garden.
  • Salesforce Partner — Provides in-kind software and licenses to support program services.
  • Seattle University Network — Kirk Knestis earned his Master in Teaching at Seattle University, indicating an academic affiliation.
  • State University of New York at Buffalo Network — Brett Claydon holds a Bachelor and Master’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
+ 9 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.

  • Integrated Teacher Development and Student Learning Through Technology-Enhanced PBL
    methodology: integrated_professional_development_and_pbl
    By combining teacher professional development with technology-enhanced project-based learning, we address gaps in cross-cultural communication and technology integration because coordinated support for teachers and students strengthens pedagogical effectiveness and global collaboration.
  • Project-Based Learning for Student Engagement and Skill Development
    methodology: project-based_learning
    By engaging students in interdisciplinary, real-world projects that require collaboration and critical thinking, we improve academic outcomes and 21st-century skills because authentic problem-solving fosters deeper learning and motivation.
  • Teacher-Centered Professional Development
    methodology: teacher-centered_professional_development
    By designing professional development based on direct teacher input and equipping educators with training and technology, we improve student engagement and achievement because teachers are best positioned to identify classroom needs and effective solutions.