named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
National Advisory Council
Group of professionals under 40 focused on fundraising and volunteer efforts to support A Better Chance's mission
Parent Resource Groups (PRGs)
Groups of parents who meet semester-long to share information and support on topics relevant to their scholar's independent school education
Parent Town Hall Meetings
Semi-annual virtual meetings hosted by A Better Chance leadership to provide updates and connect families
Scholar Program
Recruits, places, and supports high-achieving middle and high school students from underserved communities in top independent and public schools nationwide
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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International Student Recruitment & Academic Partnerships 1 activity
- Build partnerships to advance educational equityPartners with colleges and universities to promote diversity in higher education and collaborates with organizations like AMIGOS to facilitate international service and development opportunities for scholars.
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PTA/PTO Communication & Engagement Coordination 1 activity
- Engage and communicate with families through newsletters and parent groupsPublishes a monthly newsletter for parents, organizes semester-long Parent Resource Groups, and holds semi-annual town hall meetings to share updates and foster virtual connections among A Better Chance families.
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High School Placement Support 1 activity
- Place and support students in independent, boarding, and public schoolsSelects, prepares, places, and supports high-performing middle and high school students from underserved communities into rigorous independent, boarding, and public schools across the country. Operates three placement models: day schools (commuting from home), boarding schools (residing on campus), and Community Schools Programs (living in suburban communities to attend high-performing public schools).
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Provide college and academic readiness programmingOffers college readiness workshops, Career Week events, summer opportunities fairs, and preparation for standardized testing and interviews to support scholars’ academic and professional development. Provides summer enrichment grants and monetary achievement awards to scholars.
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Admissions and Enrollment Support Services 1 activity
- Support families through admissions and transition processesProvides family programming, including admissions workshops, new scholar orientation, and resources to help families navigate independent school admissions and support their children’s education. Encourages families to apply for tuition assistance at member schools.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Recruit students and families from major metropolitan areasRecruits high-potential students and their families from seven major U.S. cities: Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, San Francisco/Oakland, and Los Angeles. Manages an annual application cycle with Early and Regular Decision deadlines, requiring families to apply 18 months in advance of desired placement.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.89M
Contributions & grants$2.85M73%
Program service revenue$271K7%
Investment income$748K19%
Other revenue$19K
expenses
Total expenses$5.72M
Program expenses68%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising19%
Salaries & benefits$3.39M
Grants paid out$204K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$18.23M
Cash$1.63M
Investments$9.79M
Liabilities$9.01M
Net assets$9.22M
Liquid reserves24.0 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -0.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCISCO TEZEN | PRESIDENT & CEO | 38 | $336K |
| DAMARIS HERRON-WATKINS | CHIEF FINANCE & OPERATIONS | 38 | $218K |
| BENJAMIN BINGMAN-TENNANT | CHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER | 38 | $216K |
| JOHN KORNFELD | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 38 | $146K |
board members · 20
- ADREA WILLIAMS — DIRECTOR
- DANIEL DIBIASIO — DIRECTOR
- EKENE EZULIKE — DIRECTOR
- GENNELL JEFFERSON — DIRECTOR
- GEORGE WILSON — DIRECTOR
- GERALD KEEFE — DIRECTOR
- KEITH EVANS — DIRECTOR
- KURT VAN WAGENEN — DIRECTOR
- MICHELLE GITTENS — DIRECTOR
- NICOLE MELWOOD — DIRECTOR
- RENEE J CARTER — DIRECTOR
- RHONDA TROTTER — VICE CHAIR
- ROB FULLERTON — VICE CHAIR
- ROGER ARRIEUX — DIRECTOR
- SAMANTHA ROBINSON-GAYE — DIRECTOR
- SHEA MANIGO — DIRECTOR
- SHEILA MARMON — CHAIR
- STARLISHA MCDADE — DIRECTOR
- TAYO FAMAKINWA — DIRECTOR
- THEO KILLION — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- A Better Chance Member School Network — Independent schools that partner with A Better Chance to enroll Scholars
- Affiliated Colleges and Universities Partner — Colleges and universities that partner with A Better Chance to support diversity in higher education
- Amigos de las Americas (AMIGOS) Partner — Collaborates to provide community development opportunities in Panama in public health, youth engagement, and environmental sustainability.
- Blackbaud Partner — Provides the application portal system through which families submit applicant components for the A Better Chance program.
- Charles E. Merrill Trust Funder — Provided an initial grant to found Project ABC in 1963.
- Dartmouth College Partner — Hosted the original Project ABC site in Hanover, New Hampshire.
- Gabriela Valette Partner — Contact person for Parent Resource Group inquiries
- IBM Partner — Received the first Corporate Award at the A Better Chance Annual Awards Luncheon in 1987.
- Jarron Smith Partner — Co-Chair of A Better Chance’s National Advisory Council
- Member School Partner — Enrolls scholars in secondary schools that are part of the A Better Chance network.
- Member Schools Partner — Network of independent schools committed to providing educational access to underserved families.
- Oprah Winfrey Funder — Provided a $10 million gift in 2000 to establish an endowment.
- Sadasia McCutchen Partner — Co-Chair of A Better Chance’s National Advisory Council
- Social Solutions Partner — Provides the portal platform used for A Better Chance's application and recruitment process.
- The Thacher School Network — Member School within the A Better Chance network where scholars are placed.
- recruitment@abetterchance.org Partner — Contact point for parent-led recruitment efforts
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.
- Holistic Scholar and Family Support Systemmethodology: holistic-scholar-supportBy providing long-term academic, emotional, and logistical support to scholars and their families—including parent engagement, college readiness, and alumni networks—we sustain success in rigorous schools and beyond, because continuous relational and institutional support reduces attrition and strengthens outcomes.
- Merit-Based Placement in High-Expectation Schoolsmethodology: college-preparatory leadership developmentBy selecting high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds based on academic performance, leadership potential, and family income, and placing them in rigorous academic environments, we develop leadership and academic excellence because exposure to high-expectation settings compounds long-term success and access to national leadership pathways.
- Relational Integration into Inclusive School Ecosystemsmethodology: relational_mindsetBy cultivating relationship-centered engagement with students, families, and member schools, we create inclusive educational ecosystems where underserved scholars thrive, because relational trust reduces transactional dynamics and strengthens commitment across stakeholders.