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Make the Grade Foundation

New York, NY · EIN 141909228 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE B80 · Education · Micro (<$100K) · makethegrade.org
revenue
$66K
expenses
$39K
net assets
$88K
employees
profile · synthesized from sources

Make the Grade Foundation is a New York-based nonprofit focused on education and youth development. The organization supports students, parents, and teachers through programs promoting academic achievement, financial literacy, and health awareness. It hosts events like the Red Carpet Holiday Gala and youth leadership fairs to celebrate and empower communities.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

College Bus Tours
Sponsors educational college bus tours for students and parents to visit colleges across parts of the country, encouraging family involvement in education.
Financial Literacy Initiative
Partners with financial institutions to provide funding and resources for educational projects focused on enriching high school and college students' learning experiences.
HASI-UNNG Youth SDG Action Fair
Youth-led event held at the United Nations to promote sustainable development goals and celebrate innovation and leadership among young people.
Radio Program for Students
Offers a radio program for students interested in pursuing careers in communications, supported by MTGF’s signature project.
Red Carpet Holiday Gala
Annual gala event celebrating the Make the Grade Awards, held in Queens, NY, to recognize community and educational leaders.
activities · 10 groups

What they do

  • Digital Literacy Training and Technology Access 1 activity
    • Establishes school-based radio and communication systems
      Collaborated with Municipal Credit Union to install radio and communication systems in schools as part of an educational enrichment initiative.
  • Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
    • Hosts community enrichment events with seasonal donations
      Participates in community events by donating turkeys for Thanksgiving, toys for Christmas, blankets for seniors in winter, and supporting sports and park events with equipment and promotional assistance.
  • Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
    • Hosts free outdoor concerts in Queens
      Hosts free outdoor concerts in Queens featuring performances by The Delfonics, hosted by Dr. Bob Lee, celebrating music and community engagement.
  • Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
    • Hosts the Make the Grade Red Carpet Holiday Gala
      Hosts an annual red carpet holiday gala event at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, NY, to celebrate the Make the Grade Awards.
  • Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
    • Operates a student-focused radio program
      Runs a radio program aimed at students interested in pursuing careers in communications, providing educational and experiential opportunities in media.
  • Youth Cultural and Educational Travel Programs 1 activity
    • Organizes college bus tours for students and parents
      Organizes college visitation bus tours for students and their parents to colleges across parts of the country, providing exposure to higher education opportunities.
  • Youth Global Leadership & Model UN Programs 1 activity
    • Organizes the HASI-UNNG Youth SDG Action Fair
      Organizes the HASI-UNNG Youth SDG Action Fair to showcase youth-led projects focused on sustainable development goals, with the 2026 event confirmed.
  • Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
    • Publishes and sells book series celebrating Black excellence
      Publishes and offers for sale the "People to Know in Black History & Beyond" book series, honoring over 1,000 Black historical figures across civil rights, science, arts, and innovation.
  • Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
    • Recognizes student and school leader achievements
      Recognizes a student each month for leadership and kindness and honors school leaders for contributions to improving school programs, fostering positive culture, and achieving key milestones in CPS.
  • Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
    • Supports external award galas
      Provides support to the Living Legends Foundation's 2026 Awards Gala in Atlanta and hosts the associated Awards Gala Dinner & Show.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$66K
Contributions & grants$28K43%
Program service revenue
Investment income
Other revenue
expenses
Total expenses$39K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits
Grants paid out
balance sheet
Total assets$88K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$88K
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -9.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 13
  • Ann Tripp — Director
  • Anthony Harmon — Director
  • Debi Jackson — Director
  • Denise Rogers — Advisory Board
  • Dr Donna Williams — Director
  • Elinor Tatum — Advisory Board
  • Hazel Dukes — Advisory Board
  • Hon Randolph Jackson — Director
  • Lou Benson — Director
  • Marvin Holland — Director
  • Shiheim W Lee — Director
  • Verdia M Noel — Director
  • Voza Rivers — Advisory Board
relationships · 12

Who they work with

  • CPS Partner — Collaborates with CPS to support school leaders and improve educational outcomes.
  • Cash App Government — Platform used for receiving donations.
  • Doctor Bob Lee Partner — Host of the Red Carpet Holiday Gala.
  • Dr. Bob Lee Partner — Collaborates with Dr. Bob Lee on programming and events, including hosting concerts and producing educational content.
  • Dr. Bob Lee Partner — Hosts the free outdoor concert event for the organization.
  • Dr. Bob Lee Partner — Hosts the free outdoor concert in Queens.
  • Health First Insurance Partner — Collaborates with MTGF to raise community awareness about health issues, preventive care, and health coverage.
  • Living Legends Foundation Partner — Supports the Living Legends Foundation's 2026 Awards Gala.
  • Municipal Credit Union Partner — Partnered with MTGF to fund and build radio and communication systems in schools.
  • PayPal Government — Platform used for receiving donations.
  • United Nations Partner — Co-hosts the HASI-UNNG Youth SDG Action Fair at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
  • Venmo Government — Platform used for receiving donations.
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.

  • Community Village Model
    methodology: community_village_model
    By engaging families, schools, and communities collectively in child development, we produce stronger educational outcomes because children thrive when supported by a shared network of care and accountability.
  • Cultural Affirmation through Education
    methodology: cultural-affirmation-education
    By using educational media that celebrates Black excellence and history, we produce greater awareness, pride, and engagement because representation affirms identity and motivates learning.
  • Youth-Led Innovation
    methodology: youth-led_innovation
    By empowering youth to develop and present their own solutions, we produce tangible sustainable development outcomes because young people are capable innovators when given agency and platform.