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THE ACCELERATION PROJECT INC

SCARSDALE, NY · EIN 460762002 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE S40 · Community Improvement · Medium ($1M-$10M) · theaccelerationproject.org
revenue
$2.6M
expenses
$2.2M
net assets
$3.2M
employees
29
volunteers
259
program ratio
61%
mission · from form 990

TO UNLOCK PATHWAYS TO WEALTH CREATION AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY BY EMPOWERING UNDER-RESOURCED SMALL BUSINESSES AND ACCELERATING THEIR GROWTH THROUGH HIGH IMPACT, CUSTOMIZED SUPPORT IN STRATEGY, OPERATIONS, FINANCE AND MARKETING.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Acceleration Project (TAP) empowers under-resourced small businesses by providing no-cost, customized consulting in strategy, operations, finance, and marketing. Through mentorship and expert guidance, TAP helps entrepreneurs overcome challenges, scale sustainably, and build long-term economic mobility. The organization serves thousands of business owners across diverse industries and geographies, with a focus on equity and measurable impact.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $235K
    STRATEGIC ADVISORY PROGRAM CONSULTATIVE ADVISORY PROGRAM DURING WHICH TAP CONSULTANTS WORK CLOSELY WITH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO ADDRESS THEIR UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND GUIDE AND MENTOR THEM TOWARD FUTURE GROWTH. LENGTH OF ADVISORY PROGRAM VARIES FROM 1 MEETING TO 6+ MEETINGS OVER 12 WEEK PERIOD. WE DEVELOP AND DELIVER CUSTOMIZED TOOLS AND TIME-BOUND ACTION PLANS WITH GOALS, STRATEGIES, AND TACTICS TO IMPLEMENT. WHERE APPROPRIATE, WE LEVERAGE THE ENTIRE TAP TEAM TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC CLIENT NEEDS THROUGH BRAINSTORMING SESSIONS, FOCUS GROUPS, OR PROVISION OF INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC EXPERTISE. FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE ADVISORY PROGRAM, TAP CONSULTANTS CHECK IN WITH CLIENTS AT PRESCRIBED INTERVALS FOR 12 MONTHS TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS AND MEASURE IMPACT.
named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

Strategic Advisory Program
Customized, consultative program where TAP consultants work one-on-one with small business owners over multiple sessions to address challenges in strategy, operations, finance, and marketing. Includes development of time-bound action plans and follow-up check-ins for up to 12 months.
TAP Deep Dive
Intensive support program offering both financial assistance and strategic guidance to small businesses during critical growth phases, including tailored consulting and implementation support.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 9 activities
    • Business Growth Accelerator in Cleveland
      Launched the Business Growth Accelerator in Cleveland in 2025, providing brand positioning and financial coaching to 35 entrepreneurs through workshops, webinars, and one-on-one coaching.
    • Curated Coaching program with Chase for Business
      Partners with Chase for Business to deliver tailored consulting support to nearly 5,000 entrepreneurs through the Curated Coaching program, offering customized guidance aligned with business goals.
    • Free 8-month EDGE coaching program in Tennessee
      Offers a free 8-month EDGE coaching program to support small business owners in Tennessee with improving cash flow and financial sustainability through sustained, structured guidance.
    • Free one-on-one business coaching
      Provides personalized, one-hour, one-on-one coaching sessions with expert consultants to address business challenges, delivered at no cost to small business owners. These sessions are part of a broader suite of consulting services tailored to individual needs.
    • Free small-group coaching programs
      Offers facilitated small-group coaching sessions with one consultant and up to three business owners to promote collaborative problem-solving and shared learning, delivered at no cost as part of a structured support model.
    • Intensive multi-week Deep Dive consulting programs
      Delivers immersive, multi-week "Deep Dive" programs featuring customized tools, action plans, and follow-up support for returning business owners, with two consultants providing tailored guidance under limited capacity.
    • Speed Consulting Workshops
      Launches Speed Consulting Workshops to deliver focused, high-impact guidance to small business owners, offering rapid strategic input in a condensed format.
    • Strategic advisory services with follow-up support
      Provides customized strategic advisory services to small business owners, including action planning and mentorship, with follow-up support available for up to 12 months post-program to ensure implementation and growth.
    • Structured partnership programs for organizational support
      Offers a formal partnership process enabling individuals and organizations to support small business owners through funding, volunteering, or collaboration.
  • Small Business Technical Assistance 2 activities
    • Interactive business webinars
      Hosts free, monthly webinars led by expert consultants on topics including finance, marketing, operations, and strategy, designed to support small business growth and address real-world entrepreneurial challenges.
    • Online resource dissemination for small business support
      Reaches over 100,000 individuals through online resources and content, providing accessible tools and information to support small business growth and resilience.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 2 activities
    • Matching volunteer consultants to small businesses
      Uses a structured staffing process to match volunteer consultants with small businesses based on expertise alignment and client needs, ensuring effective, tailored support.
    • Volunteer consultant network management
      Manages a network of over 200 volunteer consultants across 22 states and 2 countries, accumulating over 70,500 hours of service to support small businesses.
  • Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 1 activity
    • Free virtual Legal Health Checks for small businesses
      Partners with McDermott to provide no-cost virtual Legal Health Checks to small business owners, assessing legal needs and offering actionable recommendations through a pro bono legal services model.
  • Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
    • Signature benefit events
      Hosts annual events such as Spring for Small Business® and Be the Catalyst to convene leaders from finance, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship to advance small business support.
  • Volunteer and Professional Training Programs 1 activity
    • Training and onboarding for volunteer consultants
      Provides training, orientation, and resources to a network of over 200 volunteer consultants to ensure consistency and quality in service delivery and consulting approach.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Client success case studies
      Documented specific client outcomes, including Forward Collective Group generating $8,000 in sales over three months and shifting 100% of revenue to social media, and Faces by Liliana achieving 18% order increase and 11% sales growth.
    • Emergency virtual support for small businesses during pandemic
      Launched Emergency Services to deliver virtual consulting support to more than 6,000 small businesses nationwide during the pandemic, ensuring continuity and resilience.
    • Measurable business growth outcomes
      Delivers measurable improvements in client acquisition, revenue growth, and business survival, with 93% of served businesses surviving and 91% reporting job creation or preservation.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.64M
Contributions & grants$1.66M63%
Program service revenue$867K33%
Investment income$118K4%
Other revenue$-132
expenses
Total expenses$2.15M
Program expenses61%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising21%
Salaries & benefits$1.72M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.45M
Cash$735K
Investments$2.56M
Liabilities$246K
Net assets$3.21M
Liquid reserves18.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +18.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 5
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JANE VERON PRESIDENT/CE 40 $109K
TRACY JAFFE CHIEF GROWTH 32 $96K
NATALIA ALARCON CHIEF MARKET 32 $91K
CLAUDIA URIBE CHIEF PROG. 32 $89K
DEVON BRIGER CHIEF OPERAT 32 $83K
board members · 13
  • ALEXIS ROSENBLUM — BOARD MEMBER
  • ANDREW FELDSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • BARRIE MARKOWITZ — VICE CHAIR
  • ERIN ANDREW — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOE FIELDING — BOARD MEMBER
  • JULIE KALISH — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARCIA BATESONUNTIL 1224 — PRES. COUNC
  • MARINA LUTOVA MEYERS — TREASURER
  • MAUD BROWN — BOARD MEMBER
  • NICOLE FANJUL — BOARD MEMBER
  • PETER D GREENE — CHAIR OF BOA
  • REBECCA DICKSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • SCOTT RECHLER — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 23

Who they work with

  • Arise Physical Therapy Partner — Engages Dr. Justin Vaidyan of Arise Physical Therapy in public events as a participant in fireside chats.
  • Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Partner — Referral partner in the Small Business Resource Network, connecting NYC small business owners to TAP coaching.
  • Business Builders Partner — Named partner category supporting TAP’s programs at various funding levels from $5,000 to $49,999.
  • California Advisory Board Network — Advisory body providing strategic guidance to shape TAP's mission and impact in California.
  • Chase for Business Partner — Partnered to launch Curated Coaching, offering tailored support and educational tools to nearly 5,000 entrepreneurs.
  • Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) Partner — Partnership to connect entrepreneurs with capital through the CRF Connect platform.
  • Faces by Liliana Partner — Supported brand strategy development leading to 18% increase in orders and 11% sales growth.
  • Forward Collective Group Partner — Provided strategic consulting to Forward Collective Group, resulting in $8K in sales over 3 months and 100% of revenue via social media.
  • Go Juicy Partner — Collaborated on marketing optimization, financial modeling, and revenue scaling.
  • Hello Alice Partner — Collaborates with Hello Alice through featured participation in events such as "Be The Catalyst."
  • Hello Alice Partner — Collaborates with TAP to support small business owners, combining guidance with capital access.
  • It's Nola Partner — Includes Margaret Barrow of It's Nola in public events as a participant in fireside chats.
  • KeyBank Partner — Co-launched the Business Growth Accelerator in Cleveland, offering coaching and workshops to entrepreneurs.
  • KeyBank Partner — Collaborative partner supporting TAP's mission, as indicated by co-branded classroom space.
  • Major Partners Partner — Collective term for top-tier funders contributing $50,000 or more, including TAP Pillar and TAP Champion levels.
  • McDermott Partner — Partners with McDermott to offer pro bono Legal Health Checks for small business owners.
  • McDermott Will & Schulte Partner — Partnership to provide pro bono Legal Health Checks for small business owners.
  • PNC Funder — Serves as Presenting Sponsor for Spring for Small Business® Benefit, providing general operating support.
  • SBA’s Investment Capital Advisory Committee Government — CEO Jane Veron appointed to this national advisory body focused on advancing small business success.
  • TouchD Medical Spa Partner — Small business client supported by TAP consultants
  • financial institutions Partner — Partner with TAP to expand the reach and effectiveness of its small business empowerment programs.
  • leading organizations that champion transparency, accountability, and sustainable small business growth Network — Aligned with leading organizations that support transparency and sustainable small business growth, though specific names are not provided.
  • mentorship programs Partner — Collaborate with TAP to provide guidance and support to small business owners through its programs.
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.

  • Collective Impact through Partnered Ecosystems
    methodology: collective-impact_model
    By aligning pro bono expertise, financial support, and strategic resources through partnerships, we produce long-term economic independence for entrepreneurs because a coordinated ecosystem multiplies impact beyond what any single intervention can achieve.
  • Removing Financial Barriers to Enable Equitable Access
    methodology: free-access_model
    By offering free, comprehensive business support services, we increase access for under-resourced entrepreneurs because eliminating cost removes a critical barrier to engagement and growth.
  • Strategic Consulting and Coaching as a Catalyst for Sustainable Business Growth
    methodology: strategy_over_capital
    By providing tailored, expert-driven consulting and coaching in finance, operations, and strategy—combined with peer learning and accountability—we produce sustainable small business growth because personalized support addresses root challenges more effectively than capital alone.