irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $71KYouth and family advocacy - Every family has different challenges. Village at Ithaca works to address essential needs like food, housing, and internet access, as well as more complicated needs such as advocacy within the school system and culturally responsive programming. Programs include providing early employment opportunities to BIPOC youth and those with barriers to employment in partnership with Tompkins County workforce and other local agencies support families to navigate the CSE process and challenges with extra-curricular activities and transportation weekly distribution of food and household supplies to families without access to existing food pantry/donation sites, while facilitating connection to the existing support services supporting local youth action board to create a response system to help youth out of homelessness and ongoing support of the Stolen Joy Project, which has produced two short films about people of color experiencing oppression in public school.
- #2 $71KSystems change - We reduce barriers to access for families and students and work within oppressive systems to end discriminatory practices. We consult with teachers and administrators who want to end racism and other systems of oppression within the public education system and support homeless youth during their school years and beyond. We have initiated a transition house Village House for transitioning homeless youth into self supporting youth.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Food and Household Goods Delivery
Delivers food and household supplies weekly to families in need, in partnership with Friendship Donation Network and local faith-based organizations.
Stolen Joy Project
Amplifies experiences of people of color in public schools through storytelling and film; produced short films "Stolen Joy" and "Restoring Joy" to highlight systemic oppression and pathways to healing.
Village House
Transition house initiative supporting homeless youth in becoming self-sufficient.
Village Youth Board
Student-led advocacy group that empowers youth to address issues affecting marginalized young people in Tompkins County and beyond.
Youth and Family Advocacy
Provides mediation and advocacy for students and families in navigating the public education system, including support with special education processes, disciplinary proceedings, transportation, and technology access.
activities · 15 groups
What they do
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Academic support and mentoring for K-12 studentsProvides individualized academic support and mentoring to K-12 students in school, alternative instructional settings, and out-of-school environments, including remote education. Collaborates with the Ithaca City School District and recruits alternative instructors for students excluded from general education due to disciplinary or special education processes.
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Dance Performance and Community Engagement 1 activity
- Anti-racist arts and cultural programmingCo-founded the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) Dance Group to bring together diverse youth through Hip Hop dance. Supports community arts projects such as reclaiming and artistically transforming chairs to honor Black agents of freedom and provides braiding and natural hair care services for youth while teaching skills and building community.
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Workplace DEI Research and Training 1 activity
- DEI professional development and capacity buildingProvides professional development to regional school districts, local businesses, and organizations on the authentic and sustainable implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and procedures.
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Emergency material and financial assistance distributionDistributes food, household supplies, and emergency financial aid weekly to families and youth in crisis who cannot access existing services. Provided weekly deliveries to 20 families and 144 instances of emergency assistance in 2020 for needs including food, housing, internet, transportation, and utilities.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Film production and storytelling on educational inequityProduces films documenting the experiences of students of color facing systemic racism in public schools, including "Stolen Joy" and "Restoring Joy." The latter was co-created with Ithaca College Park Scholars, premiered in 2024, received an Award of Distinction at the Cayuga Film Festival, and is available freely on YouTube with accompanying curricula and workshops.
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General Support for Racial and Civil Justice Organizations 1 activity
- Fiscal sponsorship for racial equity initiativesProvides fiscal sponsorship to organizations advancing racial equity and community-driven change in Tompkins County and beyond.
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Restorative Justice and Peer Mediation Programs 1 activity
- Restorative practices and conflict resolution in schoolsImplements restorative circle practices at Beverly J. Martin Elementary to support student conflict resolution, skill development, and community building.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Small grants program for youth of colorFunds one-time grants of up to $1,000 for young people of color aged 10–26 who need financial assistance to get back on track.
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Educator Training in Equity and Inclusion 1 activity
- Systemic advocacy against racism in educationConducts system change work by consulting with educators to dismantle racism and oppression in public education. Supports homeless youth through and beyond school and hosted a virtual forum for candidates in the Ithaca City School District Board of Education election.
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Non-Emergency Medical & Essential Transportation 1 activity
- Transportation services for youth and familiesOperates a dedicated transportation service to connect youth and their families with programs and essential resources, including school, healthcare, job interviews, and community services.
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Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 1 activity
- Village House transitional housing program for homeless youthOperates Village House, a transitional housing program that supports homeless youth in becoming self-supporting. Housed 32 homeless youth over four years, all of whom transitioned to stable independent housing or remained in the program.
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Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
- Youth and family advocacy addressing essential needsProvides holistic advocacy for students and families within public schools and related systems, including support with housing, food, internet access, healthcare, transportation, utilities, clothing, public benefits, SSI/SSD, child welfare, childcare, and the Committee on Special Education process. Offers mediation services and develops academic success plans in collaboration with school personnel.
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Youth Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy Education 1 activity
- Youth entrepreneurship and employment programsOperates the Village Market to sell goods created by youth entrepreneurs, including jewelry, candles, personal care products, clothing, and food items. Provides early employment opportunities for BIPOC youth and youth facing employment barriers through partnerships with local agencies, focusing on soft skill development.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth-led advocacy and leadership developmentEstablishes youth-led advocacy groups such as the Village Youth Board (founded in 2022), a student-led group that meets regularly to discuss issues affecting young people of color, and supports a local youth action board developing a response system to prevent youth homelessness.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- School system equity assessment and reportingCollaborates with the Ithaca City School District since 2006 on the Annual Equity Report Card to analyze racial, socioeconomic, and ability-based disparities using district-wide data. Partnered with Cornell scholars in 2024 to produce equity report cards for all six Tompkins County school districts using NYSED data and engaged students in gathering qualitative data on educational inequity.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$913K
Contributions & grants$894K98%
Program service revenue$9K1%
Investment income$430%
Other revenue$10K
expenses
Total expenses$945K
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead27%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$423K
Grants paid out$48K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$290K
Cash$89K
Investments$0
Liabilities$158K
Net assets$132K
Liquid reserves1.1 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +252.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MERYL PHIPPS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $82K |
| KAT HAUGER | ADMIN. COORDINATOR | 25 | $49K |
| SARA WOLFF | PROGRAM COORDINATOR | 20 | $21K |
| REANNA LAVINE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $705 |
board members · 15
- ANNE BURNS THOMAS — SECRETARY
- BILL LIDDICK — BOARD MEMBER
- CHRISTINE THOMPSON — BOARD MEMBER
- EMILEE COOL — BOARD MEMBER
- ESTHER CASTILLO — YOUTH BOARD MEMBER
- HEIDI PAULINO — BOARD MEMBER
- JAMIE MARTIN — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN HALLAS — BOARD MEMBER
- KARL MADEO — BOARD PRESIDENT
- KASHYA OXENDINE — BOARD MEMBER
- MEREDITH BOURNE — BOARD MEMBER
- PEGGY ODOM-REED — VICE PRESIDENT
- QUENTARA JOHNSON — BOARD MEMBER
- SUTAPA GHOSH — TREASURER
- TRINITY ODOM-REED — YOUTH BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 41
Who they work with
- Activists Committed To Interrupting Oppression Now Partner — Fiscally sponsored project focused on addressing racism and supporting racial justice in Ithaca.
- African Women’s Initiative of Ithaca Partner — Fiscally sponsored organization supporting African women and advancing social and economic development in local and diasporic communities.
- Artist Market Partner — Partner organization co-hosting Village Market events.
- Black Hands Universal Partner — BIPOC-led grassroots organization addressing the needs of disenfranchised people in Ithaca, fiscally sponsored by The Village at Ithaca.
- Black Hands Universal Partner — Partner organization co-hosting Village Market events.
- Black Momba Partner — Fiscally sponsored collective providing multi-generational support to Black mothers and caregivers.
- Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research Partner — Collaborated with scholars from the center to expand equity report cards for all school districts in Tompkins County.
- Build Artists Up Partner — Artist collective and resource center providing support and growth opportunities for interdisciplinary artists, fiscally sponsored by The Village at Ithaca.
- Businesses and organizations Partner — Provides grants and gifts to support The Village at Ithaca's work.
- CNY Communities For Justice Partner — Grassroots social justice group in Central New York, fiscally sponsored by The Village at Ithaca.
- Circus Culture Partner — Collaborates on the Village Circus program, offering workshops and performances for children to express themselves physically and emotionally.
- Cirque Goddess Production Partner — Co-leads the Village Circus program with Circus Culture, providing creative and performance opportunities for youth.
- City Federation of Women’s Organization (CFWO) Funder — Provides continued support for the Brown Babes Braiding program.
- Community Arts Partnership Funder — Provided a grant to support the "Seats For The Table" youth art project.
- Community Food Coalition Partner — Fiscally sponsored coalition addressing food insecurity in Tompkins County through a social justice lens.
- Cornell University Partner — Board member affiliation and potential collaboration through shared community presence.
- Dryden Middle/High School Partner — Partnered with The Village to create a “BIPOC & Friends” student club.
- Equity and Inclusion Leadership Council Partner — Collaborative initiative working toward equity in the school district and county.
- FUSIT Partner — Faith-based community partner in food and household goods distribution efforts.
- First Baptist Partner — Faith-based community partner in food and household goods distribution efforts.
- Friendship Donation Network Partner — Partner organization collaborating on weekly food delivery and monthly household goods distribution.
- Friendship Donations Partner — Features The Village at Ithaca as a food distribution partner
- Global Creative Family Partner — Regional organization elevating performing artists, fiscally sponsored by The Village at Ithaca.
- IC Park Scholar program Partner — Collaborated with the Village at Ithaca on service projects led by students.
- Ithaca City School District Partner — Collaborates on restorative circle practices and educational equity initiatives.
- Ithaca City School District Partner — Collaborates on the Annual Equity Report Card and other equity initiatives.
- Ithaca City School District Partner — Collaborates with The Village at Ithaca to provide academic support and mentoring to K-12 students.
- Ithaca City School District Partner — Partnered with The Village at Ithaca to host a virtual candidates forum for its Board of Education election.
- Ithaca College Partner — Collaborates on service projects and student initiatives, including the film "Restoring Joy" and Black Artists United.
- Ithaca College Park Scholar Program Partner — Collaborated with The Village at Ithaca students to produce the documentary "Restoring Joy."
+ 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.
- Anti-Racist, Youth-Centered Programming for Systemic Changemethodology: anti-racist_youth_centeredBy centering race and youth voice in program design and advocacy, we produce more equitable outcomes for youth and families because addressing systemic injustice requires dismantling oppressive structures through culturally responsive, student-led models that prioritize lived experience.
- Culturally Grounded Youth Development Through Identity and Storytellingmethodology: culture_based_youth_developmentBy using Hip Hop culture, identity-affirming spaces, and storytelling as tools for healing and advocacy, we foster belonging and resilience among youth of color because cultural relevance and narrative empowerment enable marginalized young people to reclaim agency and drive community change.
- Relationship- and Trust-Based Engagement to Reduce Barriersmethodology: relationship_centered_supportBy building long-term, trusting relationships with youth and families, we increase engagement and address individual needs more effectively because low-barrier, relationship-centered support creates safety and continuity essential for marginalized communities to access services and advocate for themselves.
- Systems Change Through Institutional Advocacy and Partnershipmethodology: systems_change_institutional_engagementBy engaging directly with educational and social service institutions through consultation, policy advocacy, and youth representation, we dismantle systemic barriers because institutional transformation—driven by data, equity outcomes, and lived experience—leads to sustainable, large-scale change.