2024-08-29T18:29:19-05:00 2023-12-31 341884125 CBIZ MHM LLC 4722 N 24TH ST STE 300 PHOENIX AZ 85016 990 2023-01-01 202366755 EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA EDUC 6026361850 4747 N 32ND ST SUITE 150 PHOENIX AZ 85018 RICH NICKEL PRESIDENT & CEO 6026361850 2024-08-29 1 1 KRISTEN M BASS P01247587 6022646835 2024-08-29 2023 2024-08-08 14:25:15Z X RICH NICKEL 4747 N 32ND ST SUITE 150 PHOENIX AZ 85018 11782721 0 X EDUCATIONFORWARDARIZONA.ORG X 2005 AZ ADVOCATE FOR AND ACT ON EDU. IMPROVEMENTS THAT ADVANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ARIZONANS 16 15 57 15 0 0 9011579 5894596 26733 134297 203822 237649 0 0 9242134 6266542 1469054 2133540 0 0 2797690 3141938 0 0 245726 1898129 1944111 6164873 7219589 3077261 -953047 20619225 20694562 1570474 1950489 19048751 18744073 X TO ADVOCATE FOR AND ACT ON EDUCATION IMPROVEMENTS THAT ADVANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ARIZONANS. 0 0 5788825 2133540 134297 EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA STRIVES TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION, RECOGNIZING ITS IMPORTANCE IN IMPROVING ARIZONA'S ECONOMY. ACCORDINGLY, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA ADVOCATES FOR AND ACTS ON EDUCATION IMPROVEMENTS THAT ADVANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ARIZONANS.OUR ORGANIZATION'S HIGH-LEVEL GOALS ARE AS FOLLOWS:DEVELOP SUPPORT FOR IMPROVED OUTCOMES ON ARIZONA EDUCATION PROGRESS METER INDICATORS. REACH THE STATE ATTAINMENT GOAL BY 2030, WORKING THROUGH THE P-20 CONTINUUM.CLOSE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AT ALL LEVELS.ADVOCATE FOR STATE-LEVEL FUNDING ALLOCATED TO THOSE MOST IN NEED. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) 5788825 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 46 0 1 57 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X RICH NICKEL PRESIDENT & CEO 6026361850 4747 N 32ND ST SUITE 150 PHOENIX AZ 85018 RICH NICKEL PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00 X X 280747 0 22799 VINCE ROIG DIRECTOR & CHAIRMAN 0.25 X X 0 0 0 RON BUTLER DIRECTOR & TREASURER 0.25 X X 0 0 0 JOHN FEES DIRECTOR & VICE CHAIR 0.25 X X 0 0 0 SHELLEY MELLON DIRECTOR & SECRETARY 0.25 X X 0 0 0 TRACY BAME DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 GONZALO DE LA MELENA DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 KATE HICKMAN DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 CHEVY HUMPHREY DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 EDMUNDO HIDALGO DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 DR DANIEL CORR DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 CHARLES MONTY ROESSEL DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 SHELLEY WATSON DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 SCOTT VANDERPOOL DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 DEANNA SALAZAR DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 PAUL KOEHLER DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 DIANA FIGUEROA SR VP MARCOMM & STRATEGIC 40.00 X 138228 0 7742 TEENA OLSZEWSKI SR VP & CHIEF OF STAFF 40.00 X 130072 0 54 HOLLY BAIRD SR DIR OF FINANCE 40.00 X 103787 0 14457 TERESA L RUIZ SR VP, CHIEF PROGRAM & ADVOCACY 40.00 X 107785 0 42 760619 0 45094 5 0 1 0 COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATION GROUP 1029 VERMONT AVE NW 9TH FLOOR WASHINGTON DC 20005 COMMUNICATION CONSULTING 293630 DUALITY PUBLIC RELATIONS LLC 3145 E CHANDLER BLVD SUITE 110-640 PHOENIX AZ 85048 CONSULTING 130351 EQUAL MEASURE 520 WALNUT STREET 1450 PHILADELPHIA PA 19106 CONSULTING 105914 3 262013 915967 4716616 5894596 SUCCESS SERVICES FEES 611710 120800 120800 AZCAN & TRAINING PROGR 611710 13497 13497 134297 255534 255534 5434921 5450631 2175 -15710 -2175 -17885 -17885 63373 262013 63373 0 6266542 134297 0 237649 48750 48750 2084790 2084790 303546 197585 91223 14738 2384300 1551995 716544 115761 82866 53939 24904 4023 173804 113133 52233 8438 197422 128506 59331 9585 344500 341131 3369 38850 38850 21525 21525 38063 38063 360416 231379 103852 25185 53342 41939 9726 1677 354132 315516 29497 9119 9330 9330 92023 84040 6809 1174 21242 21242 18746 8582 10164 PARTNERING EXPENSES 346568 346568 RECIPIENT SEMINARS 145134 145134 OTHER FUNDRAISING EVENT 53817 53817 MEMBERSHIP DUES 22277 22277 24146 21464 473 2209 7219589 5788825 1185038 245726 1836298 3027555 6106444 6856351 5638007 3576025 341299 172367 10716 55416 119277 60392 82302 58885 6544826 6915963 59333 32000 20619225 20694562 166031 268577 1404443 1681912 1570474 1950489 X 5736665 6156832 13312086 12587241 19048751 18744073 20619225 20694562 -953047 644196 4173 0 X X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 2738488 4536764 5113401 9011579 5894596 27294828 138156 134158 126360 26733 197670 623077 2876644 4670922 5239761 9038312 6092266 27917905 10660 2373 11588 16131 28347 69099 30817 30817 41477 2373 11588 16131 28347 99916 27817989 241040 188247 155135 150589 255534 990545 241040 188247 155135 150589 255534 990545 600 73 673 3118284 4859242 5394896 9188901 6347800 28909123 0.96230 0.95370 0.03430 0.04020 X SCHEDULE A, PART III, LINE 12, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE - 2019 AMOUNT: $ 600. 2020 AMOUNT: $ 73. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 21525 21525 7198064 7219589 510979 127745 0 0 437228 458244 510979 1406451 2109677 58655 44856 21525 125036 109307 114561 127745 351613 527420 36027 44856 21525 102408 6363611 681580 319900 6725291 8308207 -869599 324997 750000 6363611 7987903 1249006 178702 750000 8308207 8593101 500302 355500 750000 7987903 8651138 1117563 425600 750000 8593101 0.00000 0.89342 0.10658 0 0 119277 60392 58885 58885 X 7285472 644196 410622 1054818 6230654 38063 -2175 35888 6266542 7590150 406449 2175 408624 7181526 38063 38063 7219589 PART V, LINE 4: THE ENDOWMENT FUNDS ARE HELD AS INVESTMENTS. THE EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENTS ARE HELD FOR SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS AND COLLEGE SUCCESS SERVICE EXPENSES. THESE EXPENSES INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL AND PEER MENTORING, AS WELL AS TECHNICAL AND PROGRAM COSTS. PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION QUALIFIES AS A TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE ("IRC") AND, ACCORDINGLY, THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION QUALIFIES FOR THE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION DEDUCTION UNDER SECTION 170 OF THE IRC AND HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION. INCOME DETERMINED TO BE UNRELATED BUSINESS TAXABLE INCOME WOULD BE TAXABLE. THE ORGANIZATION EVALUATES ITS UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS, IF ANY, ON A CONTINUAL BASIS THROUGH REVIEW OF ITS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, REVIEW OF ITS REGULAR TAX FILINGS, AND DISCUSSIONS WITH OUTSIDE EXPERTS. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022, MANAGEMENT DOES NOT BELIEVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS EXIST. THE ORGANIZATION'S FEDERAL RETURN OF ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX (FORM 990) FOR 2020, 2021, AND 2022 ARE SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE IRS, GENERALLY FOR THE THREE YEARS AFTER THEY WERE FILED. AS OF THE DATE OF THIS REPORT, THE ORGANIZATION'S 2023 RETURN HAD NOT YET BEEN FILED. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT -2,175. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT 2,175. INSPIRED 325386 262013 63373 63373 325386 262013 63373 63373 63373 0 1 COCONINO HIGH SCHOOL 2801 N IZABEL STREET FLAGSTAFF AZ 86004 GOVERNMENT 6000 0 COLLEGE KNOWING & GOING MARCOS DE NIZA HIGH SCHOOL 6000 S LAKESHORE DR TEMPE AZ 85283 GOVERNMENT 6000 0 COLLEGE KNOWING & GOING MOUNTAIN POINTE HIGH SCHOOL 4201 E KNOX RD PHOENIX AZ 85044 GOVERNMENT 6000 0 COLLEGE KNOWING & GOING SAHUARITA USD #30 350 W SAHUARITA ROAD SAHUARITA AZ 85629 GOVERNMENT 6000 0 COLLEGE KNOWING & GOING 4 SCHOLARSHIPS 659 2084790 N/A N/A PART I, LINE 2: GRANTS ARE AWARDED ON A SEMESTER-TO-SEMESTER BASIS. AN AWARDEE MUST MEET TWO TIMES PER SEMESTER WITH A STAFF COACH/MENTOR, MEET A GPA REQUIREMENT BY PROVIDING THEIR TRANSCRIPT AND PROVIDE THEIR MENTOR WITH A CLASS REGISTRATION SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT SEMESTER. IF AT ANY TIME AN AWARDEE IS NOT CURRENT IN THEIR REQUIREMENTS, FUNDING MAY BE WITHHELD OR WITHDRAWN. X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 RICH NICKEL PRESIDENT & CEO 248580 0 25000 0 7167 0 13750 0 9049 0 303546 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 7 BONUS PAYMENTS WERE MADE BASED ON MEETING ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS AND ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990 PART III, LINE 4A EDUCATION IS THE FUNDAMENTAL DRIVER OF A MORE ROBUST ARIZONA WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY AND OUR BEST LEVER FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ARIZONANS. TO MOVE ARIZONA FORWARD, WE MUST MOVE EDUCATION FORWARD. THE COLLEGE SUCCESS SERVICES PROGRAM GRANTED SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2023 TO 659 STUDENTS, AMOUNTING TO A TOTAL OF $2,084,790. 2023 FEATURED SOME IMPORTANT NEW SUCCESS SERVICES PARTNERSHIPS AND INCREASED SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR DESERVING YOUTH ACROSS ARIZONA. MOST EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA SCHOLARS ARE PROVIDED WITH AN EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA SUCCESS ADVISER WHO IS A FULL-TIME TEAM MEMBER. THE SUCCESS SERVICES PROGRAM AIMS TO HELP STUDENTS ACHIEVE A COLLEGE DEGREE AND GUIDE THEM TOWARD A SUCCESSFUL LIFE AFTER COLLEGE. EACH STUDENT ASSIGNED TO A SUCCESS ADVISER MEETS WITH THAT PERSON TWICE PER SEMESTER ON THEIR RESPECTIVE CAMPUS, AS WELL AS VIA PHONE AND VIRTUAL MEANS, TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY ANY HINDRANCES TO THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION AND TO ASSIST THEM IN CREATING A PLAN TO OVERCOME SUCH OBSTACLES. THESE OBSTACLES COULD BE RELATED TO FINANCES, FAMILY SUPPORT, STUDY HABITS, HOUSING, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, OR OTHER FACTORS. SUCCESS ADVISERS OFFER SUPPORT AND MOTIVATION TO THEIR SCHOLARS, REGULARLY REMINDING THEM THEY WERE CHOSEN FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP BECAUSE EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA HAS FAITH IN THEIR POTENTIAL AND FUTURE. THE SUCCESS SERVICES PROGRAM HAS BEEN RUNNING SINCE 2005 AND HAS HELPED OVER 915 STUDENTS GRADUATE THROUGH 2023. THE SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE IS 74%, AND FRESHMAN RETENTION RATE IS 91%. MOST OF OUR STUDENTS, AROUND 70%, ARE FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS. ADDITIONALLY, WE HOLD AN ANNUAL LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM EACH JANUARY FOR OUR SCHOLARS. THIS ALL-DAY EVENT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO MEET AND NETWORK WITH PEERS FROM OTHER CAMPUSES, LISTEN TO INSPIRING SPEAKERS, PARTICIPATE IN TEAMBUILDING ACTIVITIES, AND ATTEND WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE. IN 2023, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA RELAUNCHED AND REBRANDED THE ARIZONA COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (AZCAN) TO GROW ITS MEMBERSHIP AND LEVERAGE THE NETWORK AS AN ADVOCACY VOICE FOR ADVANCING COLLEGE ACCESS AND STUDENT SUCCESS TOWARD ATTAINMENT. THE AZCAN COLLEGE ACCESS PROFESSIONAL SEGMENT INCREASED BY OVER 300 INDIVIDUALS IN 2023 AND NOW BOASTS 1,229 MEMBERS. AMONG THESE, 459 REPRESENT K-12 SCHOOLS, 132 REPRESENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, 76 REPRESENT UNIVERSITIES, 47 REPRESENT COMMUNITY COLLEGES, 7 REPRESENT TECHNICAL/TRADE SCHOOLS, 22 REPRESENT STATE AGENCIES, 220 REPRESENT COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAMS, 188 REPRESENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE REMAINING 79 REPRESENT A DIVERSE RANGE OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, AND CORPORATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, IN 2023, 662 PROFESSIONALS PARTICIPATED IN 12 COMPLETELY REDEVELOPED COLLEGE ACCESS PROFESSIONAL (CAP) COURSES, COMPARED TO 40 IN 2022. THIRTY-NINE (39) EARNED CERTIFICATES AS ARIZONA COLLEGE ACCESS PROFESSIONALS, COMPARED TO SEVEN (7) IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. IN 2023, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA ESTABLISHED COLLEGE READINESS TEAMS AT 30 HIGH SCHOOLS AS PART OF THE HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION COLLEGE KNOWING & GOING (CKG) INITIATIVE. THESE TEAMS COMPRISE HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, AMERICORPS MEMBERS, POSTSECONDARY PARTNERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND CKG COORDINATORS WHO WORK TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE COLLEGE READINESS AND ACCESS. THEY ALSO AIM TO STRENGTHEN THE COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE, WHICH IS TAILORED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH SCHOOL COMMUNITY. FIFTY-EIGHT (58) STUDENT CKG AMBASSADORS ENROLLED IN POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS IN THE FALL OF 2023 AND WERE AWARDED $2,000 EACH IN SCHOLARSHIPS. IN ITS FIFTH YEAR OF OPERATION IN 2023, THE GOAL OF THE ADVISEAZ AMERICORPS PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME, FIRST-GENERATION, AND MINORITY BACKGROUNDS WHO PURSUE AND COMPLETE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION THROUGH ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY ADVISEAZ MEMBERS. THESE ADVISERS ARE PLACED IN TITLE I HIGH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY SITES ACROSS ARIZONA, INCLUDING TUCSON, PHOENIX, AND FLAGSTAFF, AS WELL AS RURAL AREAS LIKE YUMA, PINAL, COCHISE, GILA, MOHAVE, AND GRAHAM COUNTIES. IN 2023, TWENTY-TWO (22) MEMBERS AIDED MORE THAN 435 STUDENTS, INCLUDING SERVICES TO 180 INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS IN CKG SCHOOLS. HISTORICALLY, 58% OF ADVISEAZ STUDENTS SERVED HAVE ENROLLED IN AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION (UNIVERSITY, COMMUNITY COLLEGE, TRADE SCHOOL, ETC.) AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. ANOTHER IMPORTANT EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA PROGRAM IS PROJECT BENJAMIN, OR "ASK BENJI." IT IS THE FIRST CHATBOT POWERED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI), DESIGNED TO HELP HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION. ASK BENJI IS A CHATBOT TOOL THAT ASSISTS STUDENTS IN FILLING OUT THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA). IN ITS FIFTH YEAR, ASK BENJI SERVED MORE THAN 34,000 SENIORS AND 6,000 JUNIORS ATTENDING 158 HIGH SCHOOLS WITHIN 29 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS ARIZONA. BENJI PROVIDES PERSONALIZED NUDGES, PROMPTS, AND INFORMATION TO STUDENTS, INCLUDING THE NEXT STEPS FOR FAFSA COMPLETION, INVITATIONS TO COLLEGE READINESS EVENTS BY SCHOOL, DISTRICT, OR REGION, AND GENERAL COLLEGE-GOING INFORMATION. STUDIES SUGGEST THAT TEXT-BASED OUTREACH SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES TIMELY ENROLLMENT FOR NON-FAFSA COMPLETERS. FORM 990 PART III, LINE 4A (CONT'D) THROUGHOUT 2023, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA DISSEMINATED VALUABLE INFORMATION VIA THE EDUCATION EXPLAINER, A NONPARTISAN RESOURCE THAT AIMED TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS ON HOW CRUCIAL EDUCATION ISSUES IMPACT SCHOOLS, EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO SHARED ITS PERSPECTIVE ON HOW THE ISSUES CAN HELP INCREASE EDUCATION ATTAINMENT AND DRIVE PROGRESS TOWARD THE EDUCATION PROGRESS METER GOALS. BELOW ARE THE EDUCATION EXPLAINER TOPICS COVERED SINCE THE EDUCATION EXPLAINER WAS LAUNCHED IN 2022: - WHAT IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ARIZONA STUDENTS? - DUAL ENROLLMENT - WHAT'S IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED FY24 STATE BUDGET FOR EDUCATION? - 2022 STATE OF THE STATE: ADDRESSING DUCEY'S EDUCATION AGENDA - WHAT'S IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED FY23 STATE BUDGET FOR EDUCATION? - AGGREGATE EXPENDITURE LIMIT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - ARIZONA'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: SPOTLIGHT ON MATH - WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE IN A SCHOOL FUNDING PROPOSAL & THE IMPACT OF SB1269 - FY23 BUDGET OVERVIEW - ARIZONA SCHOOL VOUCHERS EXPLAINED - PROPOSITION 308 EXPLAINED - EDUCATION EXPLAINER: ARIZONA'S TEACHER SHORTAGE EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA CONTINUED TO POSITION ITSELF AS A LEADING STATEWIDE VOICE FOR P-20 EDUCATION IN 2023 BY BUILDING SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION IN THE STATE BUDGET AND FINDING LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING SOLUTIONS. IN MARCH 2023, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA PUBLISHED THE BILLIONS TO GAIN ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION. THE REPORT AFFIRMS THE ECONOMIC RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION "IS COLLEGE WORTH IT AND SHOWS THAT ARIZONANS WHO PURSUE EDUCATION AFTER HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE HIGHER LIFETIME EARNINGS, BETTER HEALTH, AND MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THE REPORT DEMONSTRATED HOW MODEST INCREASES IN HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLLMENT COULD LEAD TO BILLIONS IN ECONOMIC GAINS FOR ARIZONA EACH YEAR. THE REPORT'S FINDINGS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE EVERYTHING TO GAIN CAMPAIGN AND A PRIMARY COMPONENT OF THE ECONOMIC AND EQUITY MESSAGING NOW BEING DELIVERED ACROSS THE STATE. SPECIFICALLY, THROUGHOUT 2023, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA AND HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION CONVENED COMMUNITY LEADERS TO DISCUSS THE REPORT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR ARIZONA EDUCATORS AND POLICYMAKERS. EFA AND HELIOS LEADERS DELIVERED THIS MESSAGE AT STATE, LOCAL AND NATIONAL CONFERENCES, INCLUDING 50 PRESENTATIONS TO OVER 970 COMMUNITY MEMBERS STATEWIDE. THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WERE ENGAGED THROUGH THE POPULAR MONTHLY "POWER HOUR", WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER EXPERTS TO UNPACK COMPLICATED AND TIMELY EDUCATION ISSUES IN A WEBINAR SETTING. SIGNIFICANT MEDIA COVERAGE ALSO ENSUED. A SECOND EVERYTHING TO GAIN PRESS CONFERENCE HOSTED IN SEPTEMBER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND BUSINESS LEADERS REVEALED A NEW INTERIM REPORT AND A BUSINESS-EDUCATION COMPACT. THE TWO PRESS CONFERENCES HELD IN 2023 AROUND EVERYTHING TO GAIN GARNERED HUNDREDS OF DIGITAL, PRINT, RADIO, AND BROADCAST STORIES, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL AUDIENCE REACH OF 935 MILLION PEOPLE. AS PART OF THE EFFORT, A "VOICE OF ATTAINMENT" GROUP CREATED AND LED BY EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA COMPRISED OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS AND CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, CONTINUES TO STRATEGICALLY PROMOTE THE VALUE OF EDUCATION AND ATTAINMENT AND AMPLIFY EVERYTHING TO GAIN MESSAGES. ADDITIONALLY, IN 2023, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA LAUNCHED AN ACTION PLAN THAT REPRESENTS A SHARED SET OF PRIORITIES AND ADVOCACY AGENDA ITEMS FROM EDUCATION, BUSINESS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS REPRESENTING THE MOST IMPORTANT STEPS THE STATE COULD TAKE TO ADVANCE THE ACHIEVE60AZ ATTAINMENT GOAL AND THE ARIZONA PROGRESS METER INDICATORS. THIS IS THE CONTINUATION OF WORK THAT BEGAN IN 2022 WITH A SET OF EDUCATION THOUGHT LEADERS AND EXPANDED TO HUNDREDS OF OTHERS ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING GROUPS OF EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WERE ENGAGED IN CRAFTING THE PLAN THROUGH MULTIPLE CONVENINGS AND SURVEYS. IN 2023, MANY MORE WERE REACHED AS THE EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA COMMUNITY IMPACT TEAM WAS ACTIVATED TO PROVIDE OVER 100 PRESENTATIONS ACROSS ARIZONA TO BUSINESS LEADERS, EDUCATORS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO PROMOTE ORGANIZATIONAL PRIORITIES, EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND THE EVERYTHING TO GAIN MESSAGE FRAMEWORKS. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS POLICY-ADVOCACY WORK WAS DEMONSTRATED IN LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS SUCH AS INCREASED DUAL ENROLLMENT FUNDING, ARIZONA COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM EXPANSION, AND A TWO-YEAR SOLUTION TO ARIZONA'S AGGREGATE EXPENDITURE LIMIT (AEL) ISSUE. ALTHOUGH EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL DIRECT SERVICES AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO THOUSANDS OF ARIZONA STUDENTS, THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO MAINTAIN A LOW OVERHEAD. AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL EXPENSES, PROGRAM SERVICES AND SCHOLARSHIPS ACCOUNT FOR 79.8%, ADMIN IS 16.7%, AND FUNDRAISING IS 3.5%. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY AN OUTSIDE ACCOUNTING FIRM AND THEN REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT/CEO AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BEFORE IT IS FILED WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND SIGN CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRES ANNUALLY. THE CEO AND TREASURER REVIEW AND APPROVE ALL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION ACCORDING TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WOULD BE DETECTED DURING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS. THE PROCEDURES STATED IN THE CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST POLICY WOULD BE FOLLOWED TO DEAL WITH ANY ISSUE ARISING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REVIEW EXTERNAL COMPENSATION/BENEFIT INFORMATION IN MAKING THE DETERMINATION EACH YEAR IF SALARY INCREASES ARE WARRANTED FOR THE PRESIDENT/CEO BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND EXPERIENCE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT MAKE ITS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, OR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. IT MAY PROVIDE DOCUMENTS UPON WRITTEN REQUEST. FORM 990 IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON GUIDESTAR OR UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOT CHANGED THE PROCESS FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.