irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $184KTOCA operated our third language immersion program in Seville, Spain. For two weeks, 15 high school students studied Spanish Language and Culture with the Instituto Cervantes-accredited international school, Centro MundoLengua. This was the first summer where students came from schools/youth-serving organizations across New York City, including Ascend Public Schools, SEO Scholars, and KIPP NYC College Prep.
- #2 $7KOur TOCA Online program provides meaningful Arabic-English language practice among students from universities in the United States and university students in the Middle East and North Africa. Participants engage in real-life conversations on a range of topics including language and culture, communication skills, global leadership, and more. Through community building, students enhance their interpersonal skills, which will prepare them for future careers.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Circles
Monthly webinars hosted by universities and global education organizations to present international opportunities to TOCA students and alumni.
High School Study Abroad
Two-week in-person language immersion program in Seville, Spain or Aix-en-Provence, France for U.S. high school students of color. Includes homestay, 30+ hours of language instruction, cultural activities, and engagement with local communities.
Passport Pathways
Program that helps students from Title I schools and youth-serving organizations obtain U.S. passports to remove a key barrier to international travel.
TOCA Online
Virtual language and cultural exchange program for U.S. high school students of color, offering instruction in Arabic, Spanish, and French with refugee language partners. Includes cultural workshops and global peer exchange.
TOCA Online x HBCU College Students
College-level virtual exchange connecting students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. with university students in the Middle East and North Africa for Arabic language practice and cultural understanding.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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High School Exchange Programs 2 activities
- Operate in-person language and cultural immersion study abroad programsRuns two-week immersive study abroad programs in Seville, Spain and Aix-en-Provence, France for high school students, featuring language instruction through partner schools, cultural activities such as flamenco and art classes, and visits to historical sites. In 2023, operated a two-week Spanish immersion program in Seville for 15 students.
- Provide virtual language learning and cultural exchange programsOffers virtual language programs in Arabic, Spanish, and French for U.S. high school and college students, including live instruction, cultural exchange with peers in the Middle East and North Africa, Refugee Voices workshops, and workforce preparation. Programs range from 3-week to 8-week formats and are offered at no cost to participants.
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Study Abroad and Global Immersion Programs 1 activity
- Host Community Circles and informational webinars on global educationOrganizes monthly virtual Community Circles and webinars featuring universities and global education organizations to inform students and alumni about international opportunities and promote access to study abroad programs.
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Youth Cultural and Educational Travel Programs 1 activity
- Provide passport scholarships and support for study abroadOffers full scholarships covering the cost of new U.S. passports for teens of color through partnerships with Title I schools and youth-serving organizations, enabling access to international programs. Sponsored 50 students’ passports in a recent program cycle.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Facilitate cross-cultural language exchange between U.S. and international university studentsProvides structured virtual language practice and exchange between U.S. college students (including from HBCUs) and university students in the Middle East and North Africa, focusing on Arabic-English language skills and culminating in language demonstrations and workforce preparation.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$392K
Contributions & grants$392K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$299K
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$26K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$197K
Cash$192K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$197K
Liquid reserves7.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +76.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Shambley | Executive Director | 20 | $26K |
board members · 6
- Amber Roberts — Vice Chair
- Baron Harper — Director
- Dr Lucy Odigie-Turley — Director
- Machada Smith-McGovern — Chair
- Mikhael Abebe — Co-Treasurer
- Nicholas Melvin — Co-Treasurer
relationships · 31
Who they work with
- Airbnb Funder — Donor at the Sponsor level ($2,500 - $9,999)
- Airbnb Partner — Collaborates with TOCA to expand access to travel and career opportunities for students.
- Ascend Public Schools Partner — Collaborated with Ascend Public Schools to recruit students for the language immersion program in Seville, Spain.
- BEIS Partner — Collaborates with TOCA to expand access to travel and career opportunities for students.
- Centro Mundo Lengua Partner — Partner school providing Spanish language instruction in Seville, Spain
- Centro MundoLengua Partner — Partnered with Centro MundoLengua, an Instituto Cervantes-accredited international school, to deliver Spanish language and culture instruction in Seville, Spain.
- Citigroup Funder — Donor at the Sponsor level ($2,500 - $9,999)
- Exchange Alumni Partner — Previously hosted a TOCA Community Circle event.
- Google Funder — Donor at the Benefactor level ($10,000 - $49,999)
- Google Partner — Collaborates with TOCA to expand access to travel and career opportunities for students.
- IES Abroad Partner — Named donor and likely programmatic partner at the Benefactor level ($10,000 - $49,999)
- IES Abroad Partner — Previously hosted a TOCA Community Circle event.
- Jordan Brand Partner — Collaborates with TOCA to expand access to travel and career opportunities for students.
- KIPP NYC College Prep Partner — Collaborated with KIPP NYC College Prep to recruit students for the language immersion program in Seville, Spain.
- NaTakallam Partner — Collaborates to deliver a virtual language learning and cultural exchange program connecting U.S. students with refugee conversation partners.
- Peace Corps Partner — Previously hosted a TOCA Community Circle event.
- Qatar Foundation International Funder — Donor at the Benefactor level ($10,000 - $49,999)
- Rick Steves’ Europe Funder — Donor at the Benefactor level ($10,000 - $49,999)
- SEO Scholars Partner — Collaborated with SEO Scholars to recruit students for the language immersion program in Seville, Spain.
- Starbucks Foundation Funder — Donor at the Supporter level ($1,000 - $2,499)
- Stevens Initiative Government — Supports TOCA Online through the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative, a U.S. Department of State program administered by the Aspen Institute.
- Title I schools Partner — Collaborates with Title I schools to identify participants and distribute passport scholarships.
- Title I schools Partner — Partners with Title I schools to provide passport scholarships for students.
- University of Wisconsin Partner — Previously hosted a TOCA Community Circle event.
- community leader Partner — Community leader supporting the organization's programs
- corporation Partner — Corporate partner supporting the organization's programs
- global education organizations Partner — Engages global education organizations in Community Circles to promote international education pathways.
- non-profit Partner — Non-profit partner supporting the organization's programs
- universities Partner — Invites universities to participate in Community Circles to share international education opportunities.
- youth-serving organizations Partner — Collaborates with youth-serving organizations to offer passport scholarships.
+ 1 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.
- Cultural Immersion as Transformative Learningmethodology: cultural_immersionBy immersing students of color in full language and cultural exchange experiences, including homestays and creative expression, we develop global competence, confidence, and lasting personal impact, because deep, experiential engagement fosters transformative learning more effectively than classroom instruction alone.
- Equity-Centered Access to Global Educationmethodology: equity-centered_accessBy centering high school students of color in program design and removing systemic barriers—such as through partnerships with Title I schools and support for passport acquisition—we increase access to study abroad, because targeted equity interventions are necessary to counter racial disparities in global education participation.
- Mentorship to Support Student Agencymethodology: mentorship-modelBy pairing students with mentors, we support their ability to make informed life choices and sustain engagement in global learning, because relational guidance strengthens student agency and long-term educational trajectories.