2026-06-28T11:33:19-07:00 2025-08-31 Jay Lyons Finance 3510 41ST AVE S MINNEAPOLIS MN 55406 990 2024-09-01 416051952 Operation Bootstrap Africa OPER 6128714980 7100 Northland Cir N Suite 403 Minneapolis MN 55428 Jason Bergmann Executive Director 6128714980 2026-06-29 1 1 Jay Lyons P01254333 6514265670 2026-05-22 X 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Opportunity Builds Africa Jason Bergmann 7100 Northland Cir N Suite 403 Minneapolis MN 55428 2244863 0 X opportunitybuildsafrica.org X 1980 MN Operation Bootstrap Africa (OBA) partners with Africans to strengthen their future through education, healthcare, agriculture, and other long-term development projects. As of June 2026, OBA is known as Opportunity Builds Africa. 10 10 4 10 0 0 1903533 2011685 35654 100421 83249 132757 0 0 2022436 2244863 1332928 1691032 0 0 248909 308000 0 0 210260 207418 345858 1789255 2344890 233181 -100027 2594044 2569621 152963 139689 2441081 2429932 Operation Bootstrap Africa (OBA) partners with Africans to strengthen their future through education, healthcare, agriculture, and other long-term development projects. 0 0 958320 872540 0 Educational Operating Grants and Scholarships: *Operation Bootstrap Africa's largest program is the MaaSAE Girls Secondary School (MGLSS) in Monduli, Tanzania. Student sponsorships provide funding for the education of all of the students at this residential school. In its 29th year, the school continues to provide an opportunity for pastoralist and semi-nomadic girls to be educated in a safe and nurturing environment. A monthly grant to the school supports teacher and staff salaries, food, textbooks, utilities, farm production, and other necessary expenses. *Additional scholarship funds were provided for students attending the following institutions: Moringe Sokoine Secondary School in Monduli, Tanzania, Nazarene University, Kitambolu Secondary School in Arusha, Tanzania, Bassodawish school in the Karatu region of Tanzania, Step by Step School, Unambwe Secondary School, Michaud Secondary School, Arusha Lutheran Medical Training Center, Fransalian Hekima Secondary School, and Kiyoora High School in Ntungamo, Uganda. *Medical School scholarships were provided for 6 future doctors to obtain medical degrees at multiple universities throughout Tanzania. *In Madagascar a grant was provided to pay teacher salaries at five primary schools in the rural South. These teachers taught more than 3,000 students in one of the most impoverished areas of the country. *Scholarships were granted to Primary, Secondary, and Post-Secondary students at Eripoto Safe House in Arusha. *Scholarships were provided for pre-school children and Post-Secondary students at the Courage House in Moshi. * Specialty training scholarships in nursing were granted to 3 qualified staff members at the ALMC School of Nursing. 428137 389814 0 Post-Secondary Education and Leadership Development: *The OBA post-secondary program provides scholarships for graduates of the MaaSAE Girls School through sponsor support. MGLSS graduates pursued degrees at colleges, universities, and vocational schools in Tanzania with scholarships through Operation Bootstrap Africa. Graduates of other local secondary schools also received post-secondary scholarships from OBA. 166700 151778 0 Healthcare and Health Education: *Grants were provided to the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre School of Nursing to subsidize the high cost of nursing education. Grants were distributed to Partnership of Women and Development for efforts in training the Maasai about the dangers of female genital mutilation. Grants were also provided to Empowered Girls, a non-profit partner that provided menstrual care training and products to multiple school projects in Tanzania including: the Plaster House, MGLSS, Moringe Sokoine, and Olchoki Primary School. *Funding was provided for Tanzania EMS to begin an ambulance dispatch center in Arusha. 161935 147440 0 Nutrition: Lunch programs for students experiencing hunger because of drought or lack of family resources were continued or established at Olchoki Primary School, Azimio Primary School, Ilboru Special Needs School, and five Malagasy schools. 129925 118295 0 Construction and Special Projects at Schools in East Africa: *Funding was provided for numerous primary and secondary school projects, including: supplies for five separate Malagasy Schools, two brand new school constructions in Madagascar, dormitory construction at Kiyoora High School in Uganda, and a rural hospital nutrition program. *Funds were also provided for Teacher's Housing and campus building renovations at MGLSS. *Funding was provided to construct a Girl's Dormitory at Masange Juu Secondary School in the Lushoto region of Tanzania. *Construction began at Selian Hospital for a Mother's Unit and Neonatal Ward. *Funding was provided for the "Tiny Feet, Big Steps" International Neonatal Conference in Arusha Tanzania, subsidizing the cost for nurses to attend. 108897 0 124031 Cultural Education and Exchange: *OBA staff members led tours of their projects in Northern Tanzania in October 2024, Feb 2025, and April 2025 to gain a better understanding of the work and foster connections with the communities with whom they partner. 12361 11255 0 Long Term Development Projects: * Operation Bootstrap Africa granted the Maasai Girls School a salary for their farm manager. Other funds were also sent for cattle, as well as seeds and equipment. * Funds were also provided for Tanzania Advanced Agriculture, which provides microloans and training for sustainable agriculture all throughout Tanzania. 413118 276990 124031 1966275 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 MN X X X Jason Bergmann 6128714980 7100 Northland Circle N Suite 403 Minneapolis MN 55428 Jason Bergmann Executive Director 40 0 X 101919 0 12731 Doreen Hernesman Director 1 0 X 0 0 0 John Cochran Director 1 0 X 0 0 0 Peyton Taylor President 1 0 X X 0 0 0 Marlys Melius Director 1 0 X 0 0 0 John McAllister Director 1 0 X 0 0 0 Gene Mickelson Past President 1 0 X 0 0 0 Stan Guimont Vice-president 1 0 X X 0 0 0 Dean McDevitt Treasurer 1 0 X X 0 0 0 Kjell Ferris Secretary 1 0 X X 0 0 0 Rebecca Hartwig Director 1 0 X 0 0 0 101919 0 12731 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 43750 0 0 1967935 0 2011685 Discovery tours 813311 100421 100421 0 0 0 0 0 0 100421 132757 0 0 132757 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43750 0 2244863 100421 0 132757 0 0 0 0 1691032 1691032 0 0 104379 73065 20876 10438 0 0 0 0 157427 43896 54870 58661 6493 1499 2096 2898 19381 4474 6257 8650 20320 4691 6560 9069 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22030 0 22030 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20588 13514 7074 0 23500 0 0 23500 33423 0 0 33423 21171 3913 9779 7479 6255 1475 2649 2131 0 0 0 0 30552 8147 10863 11542 31298 7005 9340 14953 0 0 0 0 1468 269 582 617 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3598 593 2165 840 Program service supplies and expenses 112702 112702 0 0 Donor acquisition 26059 0 0 26059 Bank and credit card fees 13214 0 13214 0 2344890 1966275 168355 210260 497199 240784 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29485 39574 1966088 2203334 0 0 0 0 0 0 101272 85929 2594044 2569621 34436 26035 0 0 16850 23610 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 101677 90044 152963 139689 X 590309 375199 1850772 2054733 2441081 2429932 2594044 2569621 -100027 88878 0 0 0 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1510856 1639971 1718206 1903533 2011685 8784251 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1510856 1639971 1718206 1903533 2011685 8784251 37613 8746638 9373 1385 21530 83249 132757 248294 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9032545 184903 0.96835 0.94648 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1382196 354366 163421 50957 51 14755 1834220 1011718 220865 210030 49000 0 11417 1382196 877321 92305 51588 0 0 9496 1011718 428201 591000 -141880 0 0 0 877321 352640 1500 74061 0 0 0 428201 0.27 0.65 0.08 0 0 0 Operating Lease Obligation 90044 90044 2333740 88877 0 0 0 88877 2244863 0 0 0 2244863 2344889 0 0 0 0 0 2344889 0 1 1 2344890 Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 The Mark and Linda Jacobson Scholarship Endowment is intended to fund medical scholarships for Tanzanians. The Board-designated endowments are intended to fund post-secondary scholarships for graduates of MaaSAE Girls School and other program activity in Tanzania. Schedule D, Part XII, Line 4b Rounding error 1 Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0 Grantmaking See Form 990 Part III 1691032 0 0 1691032 Sub-Saharan Africa secondary scholarships, teacher salaries, school support 533261 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa post-secondary scholarships, student lunch programs, school support 239360 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa school guest house construction 131700 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa nursing school scholarships, student support 128512 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa school lunch program, teacher salaries, school support 88015 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa NICU construction 75664 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa school construction 57400 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa secondary school support 52783 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa school construction 50100 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa scholarships, lunch program 39200 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa scholarships 38165 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa scholarships 36723 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa dorm construction 32830 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa emergency medical services 31604 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa school guest house construction 28540 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa neonatology conference 20000 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa scholarships 11780 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Mothers Hostel construction 10200 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa school guest house furniture 9710 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa scholarships 8300 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa well project 8000 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa scholarships 6700 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa school construction 6250 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa teacher salaries 6000 wire transfer 0 Sub-Saharan Africa health education 5300 wire transfer 0 15 10 Scholarships, living expenses for students, training, visas, community health assessment, grant administration Sub-Saharan Africa 5 14710 wire transfer 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Schedule F, Part I, Line 2 For grantees receiving ongoing support, funds are disbursed on a monthly or other scheduled basis only after a full accounting of previously granted funds has been received by OBA. The largest grantee, MaaSAE Girls School, is required to engage an independent auditor and the audit report is provided to OBA. For special project grants, a budget is submitted by the grantee and approved by OBA prior to grant funds being disbursed, and an evaluation with an accounting of expenditures of the grant funds is required when the project is complete. Fundraising dinner 55252 43750 11502 0 0 2375 10516 4425 2080 0 0 55252 43750 11502 0 0 2375 10516 4425 2080 19396 -7894 Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The 990 was reviewed in detail by the Board Treasurer before filing, and was also sent to all Board members electronically for their review. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The policy is distributed annually to all Board members and management-level employees on an annual basis for disclosure of any conflicts. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 The Executive Director's salary was initially established by the Board based upon research conducted by a Board member which included comparability data. The Board reviews the Executive Director's position on an annual basis and compensation is adjusted to provide for cost of living increases. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Form 990 is available on Operation Bootstrap Africa's website and on the Guidestar website. Form 1023 is available upon request. Operation Bootstrap Africa's governing documents are available upon request. Its Conflict of Interest Policy and its audited Financial Statements are available upon request and on its website.