CHAPTERS AHEAD INC
Cite this
Plain text CHAPTERS AHEAD INC. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2016–2025. https://furp.org/org/chapters-ahead-inc-274872835. Retrieved 2026-11-03.
APA furp.org. (n.d.). CHAPTERS AHEAD INC [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2016–2025]. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/chapters-ahead-inc-274872835
MLA “CHAPTERS AHEAD INC.” furp.org, tax years 2016–2025, https://furp.org/org/chapters-ahead-inc-274872835. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-11-03; covers tax years 2016–2025. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.
2025 · Form 990EZ · revenue $29K · expenses $19K · assets $10K
- EIN
- 27-4872835
- Address
- 5909 CLEVELAND AVE, COLUMBUS, OH 43231-2859
- Website
- https://www.nextchapterbookclub.org
- NTEE code
- P80
- Exempt type
- 501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
- Ruling date
- June 2011 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
- IRS status
- Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
- Tax-deductible donations
- Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
- Foundation status
- Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
- Principal officer
- Thomas Fish (its 2015 Form 990-N)
- Form 990-N e-postcards
- 1 filed, 2015 (organizations with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less file this instead of a full Form 990) IRS data ↗
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
The organization primarily aims to provide affordable community programming to people with disabilities.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).
People paid by the organization
7 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Latest year pay | Total pay from here | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyna Smith | Consultant | 2021-2025 | $0 | $10,000 | 2 |
| Tom Fish | Board Member | 2021-2025 | $0 | $10,000 | 2 |
| Susan Berg (former) | Executive Director | 2016-2017 | $93,000 | $183,000 | 1 |
| Legal support (former) | various | 2021 | $5,730 | $5,730 | 1 |
| Unknown (former) | Legal and Professional Support | 2022 | $2,216 | $2,316 | 1 |
| Database support (former) | various | 2021 | $907 | $907 | 1 |
| Media Support (former) | various | 2021 | $264 | $264 | 1 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
12 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amanda Barnett | Program Director | 2024-2025 | 15 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Desirea Doolin | Consultant | 2021-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Melissa Gourley | Board President | 2021-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Amanda Smith | Board Member | 2021-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Crystal Lett | Board Member | 2021-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Thomas Fish (former) | Board Member | 2016-2023 | 1 | $0 reported | 2 |
| Dan Towslee (former) | Board Member | 2017-2022 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Larry Fish (former) | Trustee | 2017 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Ernie Levine (former) | Trustee | 2017 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Roger Fish (former) | Trustee | 2017 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Larry Martin (former) | Trustee | 2016 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Marge Barnheiser (former) | Trustee | 2016 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2025 · 7 people listed · none paid
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amanda Barnett | Program Director | 15 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Desirea Doolin | Consultant | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Lyna Smith | Consultant | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Melissa Gourley | Board President | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Amanda Smith | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Crystal Lett | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Tom Fish | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 2 |
2024 · 7 people listed · none paid
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| amanda barnett | program director | 15 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| lyna smith | consultant | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| desirea doolin | consultant | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| tom fish | board member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| melissa gourley | board president | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| amanda smith | board member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| crystal lett | board member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 6 people listed · none paid
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyna Smith | Consultant | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Desirea Doolin | Executive Director | 15 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Fish | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Amanda Smith | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Crystal Lett | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Melissa Gourley | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2022 · 9 people listed · 2 paid, $2K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | Legal and Professional Support | 3 | $2,216 | - | $0 | $2,216 | 1 |
| Unknown | contractor | 1 | $100 | - | $0 | $100 | 1 |
| Lyna Smith | Consultant | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Desirea Doolin | Executive Director | 30 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Fish | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Dan Towslee | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Amanda Smith | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Crystal Lett | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Melissa Gourley | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2021 · 10 people listed · 5 paid, $27K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyna Smith | Constultant | 5 | $10,000 | - | $0 | $10,000 | 2 |
| Tom Fish | Consultant | 5 | $10,000 | - | $0 | $10,000 | 2 |
| Legal support | various | 5 | $5,730 | - | $0 | $5,730 | 1 |
| Database support | various | 1 | $907 | - | $0 | $907 | 1 |
| Media Support | various | 1 | $264 | - | $0 | $264 | 1 |
| Desirea Strickland Doolin | Executive Director | 30 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Dan Towslee | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Amanda Smith | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Crystal Lett | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Melissa Gourley | Board Member | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2017 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $93K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN BERG | Executive Director | 40 | $93,000 | - | $0 | $93,000 | 1 |
| LARRY FISH | Trustee | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| ERNIE LEVINE | Trustee | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| DAN TOWSLEE | Trustee | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| ROGER FISH | Trustee | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2016 · 4 people listed · 1 paid, $90K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Berg | Executive Director | 40 | $90,000 | - | $0 | $90,000 | 1 |
| Larry Martin | Trustee | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Marge Barnheiser | Trustee | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Fish | Trustee | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 2 |
Highest-paid independent contractors
No independent contractors reported.
Who gave
Contributor names are not public for this form type.
Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.
Finances
Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $29,200 | $18,852 | $10,349 | $14,699 | $20,000 | $0 | - | - | - |
| 2024 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $6,171 | $1,820 | $4,351 | $31,027 | $4,700 | - | - | - | - |
| 2023 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $10,302 | $44,225 | $26,676 | $26,676 | $3,447 | - | - | - | - |
| 2022 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $43,063 | $16,562 | $60,599 | $60,599 | $29,655 | $2,700 | - | - | - |
| 2021 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $24,939 | $43,904 | $34,098 | $34,098 | $12,388 | $0 | - | - | - |
| 2017 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $159,992 | $145,088 | $24,849 | $24,849 | $142,350 | $12,353 | - | - | - |
| 2016 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $126,836 | $156,558 | $9,945 | $9,945 | $112,025 | $19,779 | - | - | - |
Connected to
Organizations that list some of the same people on their returns (officers, directors, key employees on this organization’s latest return), and related organizations it lists on Schedule R.
- COASTAL BRINGING UP DOWN SYNDROME OF SOUTHEASTERN NC INC Wilmington, NC · 2 people in common (Lyna Smith, Tom Fish)
Funders of this organization
5 grantors reported grants to this organization, $90,021 in all, tax years 2011 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE FISH FAMILY FOUNDATION | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “CHAPTERS AHEAD INC” | 2011 | 1 | $47,500 | 2011 | $47,500 | show |
| GLOW FOUNDATION | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “CHAPTERS AHEAD INC” | 2024 | 1 | $17,000 | 2024 | $17,000 | show |
| COLUMBUS FOUNDATION | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2022 | 1 | $15,000 | 2022 | $15,000 | show |
| NATIONAL BOOK FOUNDATION INC | Public charity | Exact | 2015 | 1 | $10,500 | 2015 | $10,500 | show |
| AMAZONSMILE FOUNDATION | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “CHAPTERS AHEAD INC” | 2020-2022 | 3 | $21 | 2022 | $11 | show |
Nearby + Similar BETA
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Same category: NTEE code and revenue
Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBERLIN STUDENT COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION INC | OH | P80 | $38,504 | $24,973 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SOCIETY ASSISTED LIVING INC | OH | P80 | $33,161 | $32,285 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| GLIDING STARS OF FINDLAY INC | OH | P80 | $52,107 | $49,956 | Executive Director | $19,000 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HANSONHOUSE TBI CLUBHOUSE | OH | P80 | $29,102 | $37,089 | EXEC. DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FRIENDS OF LUCAS COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES | OH | P80 | $32,911 | $47,173 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FRIENDSHIP MEALS INCORPORATED | OH | P80 | $24,508 | $23,044 | Treasurer | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SPRINGBORO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | OH | P80 | $16,944 | $0 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| BREWHAUS BAKERY CO | OH | P80 | $21,395 | $41,234 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| PERMAGANIC CO | OH | P80 | $51,966 | $66,185 | EXECUTIVE DI | $5,600 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FOOD FOR GOOD THOUGHT VOCATIONAL SUPPORT | OH | P80 | $17,823 | $38,722 | MEMBER | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ONECITY FOUNDATION | OH | P80 | $43,405 | $52,942 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| VILLAGE IN THE HEIGHTS | OH | P80 | $14,717 | $12,385 | EXEC DIRECTO | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| LEETONIA SPORTSMENS CHARITIES | OH | P80 | $27,348 | $25,201 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HANDEL FOUNDATION INC | OH | P80 | $32,350 | $35,061 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CRARC INC | MA | P80 | $48,976 | $96,454 | CHAIR | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, similar mission |
| MOUNTAIN METRO CHAPTER OF NATIONAL AMBUCS INC | OK | P80 | $44,666 | $54,490 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x |
| GROOME ROAD HOME INC | VA | P80 | $47,520 | $61,435 | BOARD PRESID | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, similar mission |
| CHAMPLAIN MANAGEMENT INC | MA | P80 | $46,033 | $45,158 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x |
| BRAIN AWARE INC | AZ | P80 | $15,400 | $5,492 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x |
| TEXAS CHARGERS INC | TX | P80 | $51,063 | $69,626 | VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x |
| OPERATION BEACHHEAD INC | NJ | P80 | $49,484 | $20,695 | FOUNDER/PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x |
| THE DISABILITIES FOUNDATION OF BEAUFORT COUNTY INC | SC | P80 | $20,114 | $12,817 | Chair | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x, similar mission |
| MARSHALL C BROWN CHAPTER OF THE NBSTC INC | NJ | P80 | $23,396 | $20,901 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x |
| DALLAS AREA VISITORS CENTER INC | OR | P80 | $25,748 | $25,862 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x |
| CMARC SANBORN STREET INC | MA | P80 | $43,454 | $43,762 | PRESIDENT THROUGH 11/2025 | $0 | Same NTEE code P80, revenue within 2x |
Who funds organizations like this
Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).
The full list · all similar organizations
Where the money went
Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.
2025 · Form 990EZ · $18,852 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $12,129 | 64.3% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $6,723 | 35.7% | |
| Total | $18,852 | 100% |
2024 · Form 990EZ · $1,820 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $1,820 | 100.0% | |
| Total | $1,820 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990EZ · $44,225 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $36,672 | 82.9% | |
| Benefits paid to members | $6,000 | 13.6% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $1,553 | 3.5% | |
| Total | $44,225 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990EZ · $16,562 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits paid to members | $9,006 | 54.4% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $4,914 | 29.7% | |
| Fees to independent contractors | $2,316 | 14.0% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $326 | 2.0% | |
| Total | $16,562 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990EZ · $43,904 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees to independent contractors | $26,902 | 61.3% | |
| Benefits paid to members | $12,036 | 27.4% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $3,678 | 8.4% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $1,288 | 2.9% | |
| Total | $43,904 | 100% |
2017 · Form 990EZ · $145,088 spent · pay $95,506 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $95,506 | 65.8% | |
| Fees to independent contractors | $26,993 | 18.6% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $22,589 | 15.6% | |
| Total | $145,088 | 100% |
2016 · Form 990EZ · $156,558 spent · pay $105,108 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $105,108 | 67.1% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $33,354 | 21.3% | |
| Fees to independent contractors | $17,016 | 10.9% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $1,080 | 0.7% | |
| Total | $156,558 | 100% |
Trademarks
1 US trademark, 1 live.
- Chapters Ahead, Inc. 1 marks, OH EXACT high confidence: identical full name and state
| Mark | Serial | Filed | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE NEXT CHAPTER BOOK CLUB | 90884080 | 2021-08-16 | Registered | TRCFECO2, file of 2024-03-27 |
The newest marks of the trademark owners above, matched to this record by name (and state).
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