2018-10-31T14:44:29-05:00 2018-06-30 420714325 RSM US LLP 7351 OFFICE PARK PL MELBOURNE FL 32940 990 2017-07-01 593649371 STEP UP FOR STUDENTS INC STEP 9043522246 4655 SALISBURY ROAD NO 400 JACKSONVILLE FL 32256 JOE PFOUNTZ CFO 9043522246 2018-10-31 1 THERESA A BURDINE CPA P00362629 3217516200 108.171.131.189 2018-10-31 10:30:23 ED P 7A67A8929F43FA5CC44157EC92DC964C532E0622 7A67A8929F43FA5CC44157EC92DC964C532E0622 2017 2018-06-14 16:35:46Z FLORIDA PARENT NETWORK JOE PFOUNTZ 4655 SALISBURY ROAD NO 400 JACKSONVILLE FL 32256 707661184 0 X WWW.STEPUPFORSTUDENTS.ORG X 2000 FL STEP UP FOR STUDENTS EMPOWERS PARENTS TO PURSUE AND ENGAGE IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE LEARNING OPTIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. 8 8 232 1067 0 0 533245078 705681555 0 976220 388179 999419 339 3990 533633596 707661184 548456006 650979063 0 0 14110118 15927052 0 0 2449330 5466829 7697802 568032953 674603917 -34399357 33057267 518592306 589394333 37945946 75690706 480646360 513703627 X STEP UP FOR STUDENTS EMPOWERS PARENTS TO PURSUE AND ENGAGE IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE LEARNING OPTIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON FAMILIES WHO LACK THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO ACCESS THESE OPTIONS. BY PURSUING THIS MISSION, WE HELP PUBLIC EDUCATION FULFILL THE PROMISE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. 1 0 648098857 641591249 FLORIDA TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR, 106,548 UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS ATTENDED 1,818 PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON A STEP UP FOR STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIP. THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE ENORMOUS EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES FACED BY CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN POVERTY. THE SCHOLARSHIP GIVES PARENTS WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL MEANS THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE THE SCHOOL THAT BEST MEETS THEIR CHILDREN'S LEARNING NEEDS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE. IT IS THE LARGEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF THIS NATURE IN THE UNITED STATES.FOR THE 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR, APPROVED STUDENTS COULD CHOOSE BETWEEN SCHOLARSHIPS WORTH UP TO $7,111 FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION AND FEES OR UP TO $750 IN TRANSPORTATION COSTS TO ATTEND AN OUT-OF-DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOL. SINCE ITS CREATION, THE FLORIDA TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HAS AWARDED 686,257 SCHOLARSHIPS. FOR 2018-19, THE AVERAGE INCOME FOR PARTICIPANTS WAS 9.6% ABOVE THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES, AND 55% OF THE STUDENTS WERE FROM SINGLE-PARENT HOUSEHOLDS.STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES RELEASED IN AUGUST 2017 SHOWED THAT SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS WERE ACHIEVING THE SAME GAINS IN READING AND MATH AS STUDENTS OF ALL INCOME LEVELS NATIONALLY. BY LAW, SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS EVERY YEAR MUST TAKE A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED NORM-REFERENCED TEST APPROVED BY THE STATE AND MOST TAKE THE WELL-REGARDED STANFORD ACHIEVEMENT TEST. THE RESULTS REPORTED IN 2017 TRACKED CLOSELY WITH RESULTS IN PRIOR YEARS AND THE RESEARCHER ISSUED TWO KEY FINDINGS:-STUDENTS WHO CHOSE THE SCHOLARSHIP WERE AMONG THE POOREST AND LOWEST-PERFORMING STUDENTS FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THEY LEFT BEHIND.-THESE SAME STUDENTS ACHIEVED GAINS IN READING AND MATH THAT WERE THE SAME AS ALL STUDENTS NATIONALLY, REGARDLESS OF INCOME LEVEL.FOR THE 13TH TIME, STEP UP FOR STUDENTS WAS AWARDED THE COVETED FOUR-STAR RATING BY CHARITY NAVIGATOR FOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY. IN OTHER PUBLISHED NATIONAL RANKINGS OF NONPROFITS, STEP UP HAS BEEN RANKED 24TH BY FORBES AND 48TH BY THE CHRONICLE OF PHILANTHROPY. 9926404 9387814 ALABAMA OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:THE ALABAMA OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND (ALOSF) IS A SCHOLARSHIP GRANTING ORGANIZATION FORMED TO IMPLEMENT THE ALABAMA ACOUNTABILITY ACT. ALOSF AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME STUDENTS WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO CHILDREN WHO ARE ZONED TO ATTEND A FAILING PUBLIC SCHOOL. THE SCHOLARSHIPS PAY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION OR TRANSFER FEES TO A NON-FAILING PUBLIC SCHOOL. THE FIRST SCHOLARSHIPS WERE GRANTED FOR THE SEMESTER STARTING JANUARY 2014. ALOSF HAS AWARDED NEARLY 9,300 SCHOLARSHIPS OVER 4 YEARS REPRESENTING 45 OF THE 67 COUNTIES IN ALABAMA. THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FUNDED BY DONATIONS OF INCOME TAX LIABILITY FROM INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS WHO RECEIVE AN ALABAMA STATE INCOME TAX CREDIT. 3565575 RESEARCH ON STUDENT OUTCOME:EACH TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A LOW-INCOME OR WORKING-CLASS STUDENT IN FLORIDA WITH A VIABLE LEARNING OPTION THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HIS OR HER EDUCATIONAL LIFE. TOWARD THAT OBJECTIVE, STEP UP IS BUILDING TOOLS TO ASSESS ACADEMIC PROGRESS IN A ROBUST WAY. THE STATE ALREADY COLLECTS STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES EVERY YEAR FOR ALL STUDENTS IN GRADES 3-10 AND IN ITS MOST RECENT REPORT DETERMINED THAT SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS ACHIEVED THE SAME ACADEMIC GAINS IN READING AND MATH AS STUDENTS OF ALL INCOME LEVELS NATIONALLY. STEP UP IS GOING FURTHER. IT HAS COMPLETED A DATA WAREHOUSE THAT PULLS TOGETHER STUDENT ACADEMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ACROSS 16 YEARS. FURTHER, STEP UP HAS INVITED RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS TO MINE STUDENT DATA AND IN THE FALL OF 2017, THE URBAN INSTITUTE RELEASED A REPORT FINDING THAT STUDENTS ON THE SCHOLARSHIP AT LEAST THREE YEARS ARE 40 PERCENT MORE LIKELY THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ATTEND COLLEGE. 6644817 980210 THE GARDINER SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT PROGRAM: $3,234,009IN 2017-18, STEP UP ALSO ADMINISTERED A STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE TO SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS WITH ONE OF TEN SPECIFIC DISABILITIES: AUTISM, CEREBRAL PALSY, DOWN SYNDROME, PHELAN-MCDERMID SYNDROME, PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME, SPINA BIFIDA, WILLIAMS SYNDROME, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY (SEVERE COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT), MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, DEAF, VISUALLY IMPAIRED, OR DUAL SENSORY IMPAIRED, HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND, BRAIN INJURY OR "HIGH RISK" CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN. FOR THE 2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR, THE PROGRAM SERVED 9,601 STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS WORTH AN AVERAGE OF $10,279 EACH. THE PROGRAM EMPOWERS FAMILIES TO CHOOSE THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THAT BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR STUDENT, AND THE MONEY CAN BE FOR SCHOOLS, THERAPISTS, SPECIALISTS, CURRICULUM, TECHNOLOGY, OR A COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNT.SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT AND STUDENT LEARNING: $1,893,947STEP UP FOR STUDENTS IS HELPING STRENGTHEN THE PROGRAM'S PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS BY OFFERING FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH STEP UP'S OFFICE OF STUDENT LEARNING. THIS DEPARTMENT'S LARGEST INITIATIVE, SUCCESS PARTNERS, IS A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO CREATE CLOSER RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PARENTS TEACHERS ANDADMINISTRATORS AND STUDENTS. THE INITIATIVE IS BASED ON THE BENEFITS OF STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE CHILD. SCHOOLS THAT WORK CLOSELY WITH PARENTS OFTEN HAVE HIGH STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND QUALITY PROGRAMS. THE CAPSTONE OF SUCCESS PARTNERS NETWORK IS A PARENT-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PLAN, DESIGNED TO GIVE TEACHERS, FAMILIES AND STUDENTS A WAY TO UTILIZE THE FLORIDA STATE STANDARDS. WITH THE COMPACT, EACH PARTY AGREES TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE STUDENT. THE STANDARDS ARE A NATIONAL INITIATIVE OF UNIFORM ACADEMIC BENCHMARKS ADOPTED IN 45 STATES FOR GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12 TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS ARE READY FOR CAREERS AND COLLEGE. THE TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCHANGE ALSO PROVIDES ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WITH THE FOLLOWING CUSTOM FUNCTIONS: GRADE BOOK, ATTENDANCE, LESSON AND UNIT PLANS, REPORT CARD, AND PARENT PORTAL. IN ADDITION, STEP UP FOR STUDENTS HAS DEVELOPED A MASTER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY WHICH IS FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING SCHOOL LEADERS TO BECOME DATA DRIVEN DECISION MAKERS IN ALL ASPECTS OF EDUCATIONAL FUNCTIONS. ILLINOIS INVEST IN KIDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: $766,733STEP UP FOR STUDENTS HAS CONTRACTED WITH EMPOWER ILLINOIS, AN APPROVED 501(C)(3), SCHOLARSHIP GRANTING ORGANIZATION (SGO) IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THAT ADMINISTERS THE ILLINOIS INVEST IN KIDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, A TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. SINCE NOVEMBER 2017, STEP UP FOR STUDENTS HAS PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR EMPOWER ILLINOIS, BOTH IN-HOUSE AND THROUGH A THIRD-PARTY PARTNER. EMPOWER ILLINOIS CAN SOLICIT AND RECEIVE CORPORATE AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS THAT ARE ENTITLED TO A 75% STATE TAX CREDIT OF CORPORATE AND INDIVIDUAL STATE INCOME TAX. THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS, IN TURN MUST BE SPENT TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOW INCOME ILLINOIS SCHOOL CHILDREN IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE INVEST IN KIDS ACT. FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR, QUALIFIED STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS OF UP TO $12,973, OR FOR INDIVIDUAL DISABILITY EDUCATION ACT STUDENTS, UP TO $25,946, TO ATTEND A PARTICIPATING PRIVATE SCHOOL WITHIN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE EXPENDED WHEN A STUDENT ATTENDS A PARTCIPATING SCHOOL. EMPOWER ILLINOIS IS ALLOWED TO USE UP TO 5% OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS COLLECTED TO ADMINISTER THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, AND STEP UP FOR STUDENTS IS COMPENSATED FOR ITS WORK BY EMPOWER ILLINOIS VIA THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS.ADVOCACY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: $472,526ADVOCACY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, THROUGH THE FLORIDA PARENT NETWORK, ORGANIZES PARENTS AND SUPPORTERS WHO BELIEVE CHILDREN SHOULD BE EDUCATED BASED ON HOW THEY LEARN, RATHER THAN WHERE THEY LIVE. THIS INCLUDES PARENTS WHO UTILIZE SCHOLARSHIPS AS WELL AS CHARTER, MAGNET, HOME AND VIRTUAL SCHOOLS. THE FLORIDA PARENT NETWORK EDUCATES, INFORMS AND TRAINS PARENTS TO BE ADVOCATES AND SUPPORTERS FOR THE PROTECTION AND EXPANSION OF CHOICE OPPORTUNITIES. ADVOCACY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROVIDES THESE SERVICES TO PARENTS OF CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE ORGANIZATION AND TO PARENTS UTILIZING OTHER CHOICE OPTIONS UNDER CONTRACT SERVICE AGREEMENTS WITH CHOICE ADVOCACY GROUPS.HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: $151,511THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP WAS ESTABLISHED BY FLORIDA STATUTE 1002.40, WHICH WAS CREATED IN 2018 TO PROVIDE THE OPTION OF PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ACTS OF BULLYING AND INTIMIDATION. STEP UP FOR STUDENTS, AS AN APPROVED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATION (SFO), IS AUTHORIZED TO ADMINISTER HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS. THE HOPE LAW PROVIDES THAT AUTOMOBILE BUYERS MAY REDIRECT UP TO $105 OF THEIR STATE TAXES ON EACH PURCHASE TOWARD AN AUTHORIZED SFO. THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS MUST BE USED TO PROVIDE TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO PARTICIPATING PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR A $750 TRANSPORTATION SCHOLARSHIP TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN ANOTHER DISTRICT. THE MAXIMUM TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2018-2019 ARE $6,519 FOR ELEMENTARY GRADES, $6,815 FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND $7,111 FOR HIGH SCHOOL. STEP UP FOR STUDENTS IS ALLOWED TO USE UP TO 3% OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO ADMINISTER THE SCHOLARSHIP. READING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: $126,091THE READING SCHOLARSHIP WAS ESTABLISHED BY FLORIDA STATUTE 1002.411, WHICH WAS CREATED IN 2018 TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE IN READING. STEP UP FOR STUDENTS, AS AN APPROVED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATION (SFO), IS AUTHORIZED TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM. THE SCHOLARSHIP IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IN THIRD- THROUGH FIFTH-GRADE WHO HAVE SCORED A LEVEL 1 OR 2 ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS SECTION OF THE FLORIDA STANDARDS ASSESSMENT (FSA). EACH SCHOLARSHIP IS WORTH $500, WHICH THE PARENT CAN USE TO PAY FOR TUITION AND FEES RELATED TO PART-TIME TUTORING, SUMMER AND AFTER-SCHOOL LITERACY PROGRAMS, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND MORE. THE FUNDING IS FROM DIRECT STATE APPROPRIATIONS (A TOTAL OF $9.7 MILLION FOR 2018-2019). STEP UP FOR STUDENTS IS PROVIDED AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 3% OF EACH SCHOLARSHIP TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM. 6644817 980210 668235653 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 497 0 1 232 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 X 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AK AR CA CO CT FL DC GA HI IL KS KY ME MD MA MI MN MS NV NH NJ NM NY NC OH OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI X X JOE PFOUNTZ 9043522246 4655 SALISBURY RD SUITE 400 JACKSONVILLE FL 32256 JOHN KIRTLEY CHAIRMAN, SUFS/DIRECTOR, A 2.00 X 0 0 0 ALISON HERTOG DIRECTOR, SUFS 2.00 X 0 0 0 ALFRED AL LAWSON DIRECTOR, SUFS 2.00 X 0 0 0 RICHARD OUTRAM DIRECTOR, SUFS 2.00 X 0 0 0 PAUL SHERMAN DIRECTOR, SUFS 2.00 X 0 0 0 CURTIS STOKES DIRECTOR, SUFS 2.00 X 0 0 0 TERRY JOVE DIRECTOR, SUFS 2.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN LEGG DIRECTOR, SUFS 2.00 X 0 0 0 DOUG TUTHILL PRESIDENT, SUFS 40.00 X 282023 0 26153 ANNE WHITE COO, SUFS 40.00 X 160343 0 21015 JOE PFOUNTZ TREAS & CFO, SUFS 40.00 X 188881 0 21321 SCOTT MASSEY CIO, SUFS 40.00 X 152702 0 29364 ALISSA RANDALL VP MARKETING & EVENTS, SUFS 40.00 X 152272 0 14786 JONATHAN BECKHAM VP INNOVATION 40.00 X 134623 0 28516 CAROL THOMAS VP STUDENT LEARNING 40.00 X 136959 0 21532 GINA LYNCH VP OPERATIONS 40.00 X 131460 0 19721 1339263 0 182408 19 0 1 0 PREMIKATI INC 310 N ALABAMA ST STE 200 INDIANAPOLIS IN 46204 SOFTWARE SERVICES 360993 TADS 110 N 5TH ST 2ND FLOOR MINNEAPOLIS MN 55403 APPLICATION PROCESSING 274485 CUTHBERTSON & ASSOCIATES 9802 BAYMEADOWS RD STE 12 200 JACKSONVILLE FL 32256 CONSULTING SERVICES 257701 EPIC SOFTWARE CORPORATION 1979 MILKY WAY VERONA WI 53593 SOFTWARE SERVICES 227442 ARIBA INC PO BOX 642962 PITTSBURGH PA 15264 SOFTWARE SERVICES 214260 14 705681555 705681555 SERVICE CONTRACT 561000 718720 718720 ADVOCACY & CIVIC ENGAG 900099 257500 257500 976220 999419 999419 OTHER INCOME 900099 3990 3990 3990 707661184 980210 0 999419 650979063 650979063 631246 631246 12075312 9609712 1206240 1259360 493779 268799 111114 113866 1160815 860719 178331 121765 1565900 1319474 177517 68909 314822 37722 210738 66362 156580 156580 115003 115003 2050945 1501175 407824 141946 293653 207516 10380 75757 528598 423221 51286 54091 809539 585021 143085 81433 616355 422905 100816 92634 384633 291028 57942 35663 274012 201388 44514 28110 OTHER COSTS 877960 565905 128535 183520 BANK FEES 431287 308361 122775 151 REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE 408807 282877 83224 42706 PRINTING AND POSTAGE 308887 129043 96787 83057 126721 126721 674603917 668235653 3918934 2449330 41903759 19085583 225000 196000 436647533 502820023 1592791 5137782 579212 701402 4922942 1936777 1412992 2986165 36231019 58467378 518592306 589394333 1714927 2236696 36231019 58467378 14986632 37945946 75690706 X 5110194 8115532 475536166 505588095 480646360 513703627 518592306 589394333 33057267 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 332392878 456345377 521372137 533245078 705681555 2549037025 332392878 456345377 521372137 533245078 705681555 2549037025 1039324727 1509712298 12414 8223 90396 397500 999419 1507952 1518 12665 7046 339 3990 25558 2550570535 2662988 0.59190 0.60500 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: OTHER INCOME - 2013 AMOUNT: $ 1,518. 2014 AMOUNT: $ 12,665. 2015 AMOUNT: $ 7,046. 2016 AMOUNT: $ 339. 2017 AMOUNT: $ 3,990. 18858 96145 115003 674488914 674603917 1000000 250000 0 0 1000000 1000000 1000000 1000000 4000000 6000000 55760 11942 66809 115003 249514 250000 250000 250000 250000 1000000 1500000 55760 8171 10454 18858 93243 SCHEDULE C, PART II-A THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR AND POLICY DIRECTOR FOR STEP UP FOR STUDENTS PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE IN 2018 IN THE LEGISLATIVE ADOPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GARDINER SCHOLARSHIP AND TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS AND THE CREATION OF TWO NEW SCHOLARSHIPS, ONE FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE IN READING AND ONE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF BULLYING. THE TWO DIRECTORS ADVISED LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE STAFF AND LEGISLATORS ON DIFFERENT POINTS ON THE BILL. THEY ALSO WORKED WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TO CONNECT GARDINER FAMILIES AND TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP FAMILIES WITH LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT FOR THE BILLS. THESE LOBBYING EFFORTS ARE FINANCED BY PRIVATE FUNDRAISING AND NOT THROUGH EITHER THE DIRECT APPROPRIATION OR TAX-CREDITED CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED UNDER EACH PROGRAM. 0 36231019 99410729 77174370 58467378 1 X 58625 36408 22217 4864317 1900369 2963948 2986165 FUNDS HELD IN TRUST FOR STUDENTS 58467378 58467378 X 708029489 368305 368305 707661184 0 707661184 674972222 368305 368305 674603917 0 674603917 PART IV, LINE 2B: IN JUNE 2014, LEGISLATION CREATING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN WAS SIGNED INTO LAW IN FLORIDA. A GARDINER SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT IS ESTABLISHED FOR EACH CHILD THAT IS AWARDED A SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOLARSHIP. PARENTS USE THIS MONEY TO PERSONALIZE THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES BY DIRECTING MONEY TOWARDS A COMBINATION OF PROGRAMS AND STATE APPROVED PROVIDERS. THESE INCLUDE SCHOOLS, THERAPISTS, SPECIALISTS, CIRRICULUM AND TECHNOLOGY AND COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. DURING THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AND 2017, STEP UP FOR STUDENTS DISTRIBUTED APPROXIMATELY $77.1 MILLION AND $60.7 MILLION, LEAVING A BALANCE OF APPROXIMATELY $58.4 MILLION AND $36.2 MILLION RESPECTIVELY, WHICH IS RECORDED IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS BOTH AN ASSET AND A LIABILITY. STEP UP FOR STUDENTS IS ACTING AS AN AGENT FOR THIS PROGRAM, THEREFORE, THERE ARE NO REVENUES AND EXPENSES REPORTED ON THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS RECEIVED AND DISTRIBUTED FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA. PART X, LINE 2: STEP UP FOR STUDENTS IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND FROM STATE INCOME TAXES UNDER SIMILAR PROVISIONS OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES. ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES HAS BEEN RECORDED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. STEP UP FOR STUDENTS HAS MADE AN ELECTION UNDER SECTION 501(H) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, WHICH PERMITS CERTAIN ELIGIBLE 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE LIMITED EXPENDITURES TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION. STEP UP FOR STUDENTS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO AN EXCISE TAX IF IT SPENDS MORE THAN THE AMOUNTS PERMITTED. SUCH LIMITS HAVE NOT BEEN EXCEEDED. THE ALABAMA OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND IS A DISREGARDED ENTITY FOR FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX PURPOSES AND THEREFORE, REPORTS ALL FEDERAL AND STATE TAX INFORMATION THROUGH STEP UP FOR STUDENTS. ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES HAS BEEN RECORDED IN THE ACCOMPANYING CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. STEP UP FOR STUDENTS FOLLOWS ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RELATING TO ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES. MANAGEMENT ASSESSED WHETHER THERE WERE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS WHICH MAY GIVE RISE TO INCOME TAX LIABILITIES AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE NO SUCH MATTERS REQUIRING RECOGNITION IN THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. GENERALLY, STEP UP FOR STUDENTS IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO U.S. FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAX EXAMINATIONS BY TAX AUTHORITIES FOR YEARS BEFORE JUNE 30, 2015. 1 FLORIDA TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 106548 641591249 ALABAMA OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP 1590 9387814 PART I, LINE 2: STEP UP FOR STUDENTS RECEIVES GRANTS TO FUND PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES TO EMPOWER THE FAMILIES OF OUR STUDENTS. THE GRANT EXPENSES ARE TRACKED BY PROJECT CODE FOR EASE OF REPORTING TO OUR GRANTORS, IF APPLICABLE. X X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 DOUG TUTHILL PRESIDENT, SUFS 282023 0 0 0 0 0 13408 0 12745 0 308176 0 0 0 ANNE WHITE COO, SUFS 160343 0 0 0 0 0 8973 0 12070 0 181386 0 0 0 JOE PFOUNTZ TREAS & CFO, SUFS 188881 0 0 0 0 0 8576 0 12745 0 210202 0 0 0 SCOTT MASSEY CIO, SUFS 152702 0 0 0 0 0 8581 0 20783 0 182066 0 0 0 ALISSA RANDALL VP MARKETING & EVENTS, SUFS 152272 0 0 0 0 0 8307 0 6489 0 167068 0 0 0 JONATHAN BECKHAM VP INNOVATION 134623 0 0 0 0 0 7733 0 20783 0 163139 0 0 0 CAROL THOMAS VP STUDENT LEARNING 136959 0 0 0 0 0 7652 0 13892 0 158503 0 0 0 GINA LYNCH VP OPERATIONS 131460 0 0 0 0 0 7290 0 12431 0 151181 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART III, LINE 2 STEP UP FOR STUDENTS HAS CONTRACTED WITH EMPOWER ILLINOIS, AN APPROVED 501(C)3, SCHOLARSHIP GRANTING ORGANIZATION (SGO) IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THAT ADMINISTERS THE ILLINOIS INVEST IN KIDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. SINCE NOVEMBER 2017, STEP UP FOR STUDENTS HAS PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR EMPOWER ILLINOIS, BOTH IN-HOUSE AND THROUGH A THIRD-PARTY PARTNER, TADS. THE ILLINOIS INVEST IN KIDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS A TAX CREDIT PROGRAM. EMPOWER ILLINOIS IS ALLOWED TO USE UP TO 5% OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS COLLECTED TO ADMINISTER THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, AND STEP UP FOR STUDENTS IS COMPENSATED FOR ITS WORK BY EMPOWER ILLINOIS VIA THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY THE FUND'S INDEPENDENT CPA FIRM. AFTER BEING REVIEWED BY MANAGEMENT, THE FULL FORM 990 INFORMATIONAL RETURN IS PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS ALSO AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE FORM 990 BEFORE THE RETURN IS FILED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C STEP UP FOR STUDENTS ENSURES THAT THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS ADHERED TO WITH THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: 1) REGULAR EDUCATION WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND KEY STAFF. EACH YEAR, THE POLICY IS REVIEWED WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE EXECUTIVE TEAM. EACH ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND COMPLIANCE BY SIGNING AN ANNUAL COMPLIANCE STATEMENT. 2) THE CFO REVIEWS EACH CONTRACT THE ORGANIZATION ENTERS. 3) FINANCE STAFF AND THE PRESIDENT REVIEW ALL PAYMENTS AS THEY ARE MADE FOR POSSIBLE CONFLICTS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REVIEWS COMPARABLE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS DATA OF SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2016, AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTING FIRM CONDUCTED A FULL COMPARATIVE STUDY FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL EXECUTIVE POSITION AND ALL NON-EXECUTIVE JOB GRADES. THE COMMITTEE USES THIS INFORMATION, COMBINED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PRESIDENT, TO RECOMMEND THE PRESIDENT'S COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR APPROVAL OF THE FULL BOARD. THE FULL BOARD APPROVES THE PACKAGE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 STEP UP FOR STUDENTS MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE ON ITS WEBSITE, WWW.STEPUPFORSTUDENTS.ORG. PRINTED COPIES ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST FOR THE SAME PERIOD OF DISCLOSURE AS SET FORTH IN IRC SECTION 6104(D). FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THIS PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE THE PRIOR YEAR. THE ALABAMA OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND 2101 MAGNOLIA AVE S STE 425 BIRMINGHAM AL 35205 493813722 SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING AL 21305696 13703401 STEP UP FOR STUDENTS