ACADEMY PROJECT
Reduce your risk when donating: see where the money actually goes.
Reduce your risk when donating: see where the money actually goes.
Cite this
Plain text ACADEMY PROJECT. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2020–2024. https://furp.org/org/academy-project-471205640. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
APA furp.org. (n.d.). ACADEMY PROJECT [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2020–2024]. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/academy-project-471205640
MLA “ACADEMY PROJECT.” furp.org, tax years 2020–2024, https://furp.org/org/academy-project-471205640. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-11-10; covers tax years 2020–2024. Data: furp.org (index © the FURP Alliance; the records are public domain).
2024 · Form 990 · revenue $384K · expenses $284K · assets $244K
- EIN
- 47-1205640
- Address
- 8569 APPIAN WAY, LOS ANGELES, CA 90046-7728
- Website
- HTTPS://WWW.THEACADEMYPROJECT.ORG
- NTEE code
- O50 Youth Development Programs (Youth Development) published (IRS Business Master File)
- Exempt type
- 501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
- Ruling date
- February 2015 (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
- Lauren Costa (its 2022 Form 990-N)
- Form 990-N e-postcards
- 1 filed, 2022 (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 ACADEMY PROJECT PROVIDES SUPPORT, RESOURCES, AND ADVOCACY TO FOSTER, UNHOUSED AND UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN LOS ANGELES, CA THROUGH EMPOWERMENT, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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
2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauren Costa | ED/PRESIDENT | 2020-2024 | $35,975 | $83,730 | 1 |
| Claire Conley | MEMBER | 2020-2024 | $0 | $6,800 | 1 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celia Botet | TREASURER | 2020-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Maria Koutsoukolis | SECRETARY | 2023-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Sheila Cutchlow | MEMBER | 2021-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Mary Gastineau | MEMBER | 2020-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Michele Perry | MEMBER | 2020-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Tammy Watson-Smith | MEMBER | 2021-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Claire Conely (former) | BOARD MEMBER | 2021 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Maria Cristel (former) | BOARD MEMBER | 2021 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Cheyenne Rogers (former) | MEMBER OF BOARD | 2020 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2024 · 8 people listed · 1 paid, $36K · 2 employees · 65 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAUREN COSTA | ED/PRESIDENT | 40 | $35,975 | $0 | $0 | $35,975 | 1 |
| CELIA BOTET | TREASURER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MARIA KOUTSOUKOLIS | SECRETARY | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CLAIRE CONLEY | MEMBER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| SHEILA CUTCHLOW | MEMBER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MARY GASTINEAU | MEMBER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MICHELE PERRY | MEMBER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| TAMMY WATSON-SMITH | MEMBER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 8 people listed · 1 paid, $25K · 0 employees · 50 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauren Costa | Exeuctive Director/President | 60 | $24,709 | $0 | $0 | $24,709 | 1 |
| Celia Botet | Treasure | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Claire Conley | Member of the Board | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Sheila Cutchlow | Member of the Board | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mary Gastineau | Member of the Board | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Michele Perry | member of the Board | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Tammy Watson-Smith | Member of the Board | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Maria Koutsoukolis | Secretary | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2021 · 8 people listed · 1 paid, $11K · 0 employees · 50 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAUREN COSTA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $11,046 | $0 | $0 | $11,046 | 1 |
| CELIA BOTET | TREASURER | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CLAIRE CONELY | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| SHEILA CUTCHLOW | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MICHELE PERRY | SECRETARY | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| TAMMY SMITH | BAORD MEMBER | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MARIA CRISTEL | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| LAUREN COSTA | PRESIDENT | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2020 · 8 people listed · 2 paid, $19K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAUREN COSTA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 60 | $12,000 | - | $0 | $12,000 | 1 |
| CLAIRE CONLEY | VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR | 10 | $6,800 | - | $0 | $6,800 | 1 |
| LAUREN COSTA | PRESIDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 10 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CLAIRE CONLEY | SECRETARY | 5 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CELIA BOTET | TREASURER | 5 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MICHELE PERRY | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CHEYENNE ROGERS | MEMBER OF BOARD | 5 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MARY GASTINEAU | MEMBER OF BOARD | 5 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $384,296 | $283,601 | $244,279 | $244,279 | $384,138 | $158 | $41,750 | 2 | 65 |
| 2023 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $221,677 | $85,463 | $136,214 | $136,214 | $221,677 | $0 | $24,709 | 0 | 50 |
| 2021 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $58,609 | $40,874 | $57,118 | $57,118 | $58,609 | $0 | $11,046 | 0 | 50 |
| 2020 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $39,932 | $26,154 | $33,044 | $33,044 | $39,932 | $0 | - | - | - |
Funders of this organization
6 grantors reported grants to this organization, $86,758 in all, tax years 2016 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 | Total given | Grants | Latest year's amount | Latest year | Years given | Type | Match | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CRAIL-JOHNSON FOUNDATION | $30,000 | 2 | $15,000 | 2020 | 2018, 2020 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “ACADEMY PROJECT” | show |
| THE ALBERTSONS COMPANIES FOUNDATION | $25,000 | 1 | $25,000 | 2021 | 2021 | Public charity | Exact | show |
| SPROUTS HEALTHY COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION | $9,500 | 1 | $9,500 | 2024 | 2024 | Public charity | Exact | show |
| IMA FOUNDATION | $8,000 | 1 | $8,000 | 2023 | 2023 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “ACADEMY PROJECT” | show |
| THE BLACKBAUD GIVING FUND | $8,000 | 1 | $8,000 | 2023 | 2023 | DAF sponsor | Fuzzy filed as “ACADEMY PROJECT” | show |
| FORGOOD INC | $6,258 | 1 | $6,258 | 2016 | 2016 | DAF sponsor | Exact | show |
Nearby + Similar BETA
Organizations like this one: what they do and who they are linked to
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. NTEE: the IRS’s code when it lists one, otherwise FURP’s inferred code. Same state only · More (100)
| Organization | State | NTEE | Latest revenue | Latest expenses | Top-paid title | Top pay | Why similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMILIANI PROJECT | CA | O50 | $324,218 | $312,932 | Director | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| URBAN SCHOLAR ACADEMY | CA | O50 | $462,565 | $463,524 | Executive Dir. | $50,348 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HEALTHY ROOM PROJECT CORPORATION | CA | O50 | $352,624 | $394,880 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| THE WAHINE PROJECT INC | CA | O50 | $453,532 | $453,712 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| PINKNEY FOUNDATION | CA | O50 | $380,851 | $356,632 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state, similar mission |
| NEXT STEP A MAP PROGRAM | CA | O50 | $369,895 | $231,313 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SPARK PROMISE | CA | O50 | $363,316 | $557,979 | CEO | $158,814 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| REEL GUPPY OUTDOORS | CA | O50 | $336,238 | $333,445 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state, similar mission |
| DEPARTMENT OF SOUND | CA | O50 | $410,958 | $570,377 | Chief Executive Officer | $124,800 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state, similar mission |
| HIGHLANDERS BOXING CLUB PROGRAM | CA | O50 | $390,137 | $364,746 | CIFUENTES | $75,000 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| EAST LOS ANGELES BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB | CA | O50 | $432,209 | $527,557 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $70,013 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| WARREN-WALKER PROMISE FOUNDATION INCORPORATED | CA | O50 | $377,312 | $453,831 | BOARD MEMBER | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| TRANSITIONAL YOUTH MOBILIZING FOR CHANGE | CA | O50 | $418,584 | $426,054 | Executive Dir. | $54,000 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| EDWIN AND DOROTHY BAKER FOUNDATION | CA | O50 | $379,221 | $380,795 | Executive Dir. | $47,500 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SQUASH ON TRACK | CA | O50 | $336,526 | $296,581 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SRD-STRAIGHTENING REINS FOUNDATION | CA | O50 | $452,958 | $371,811 | DIRECTOR | $62,528 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| BLUE HEART FOUNDATION INC | CA | O50 | $327,308 | $312,356 | President | $13,510 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| UCEUS CORP | CA | O50 | $451,307 | $500,342 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ASPEN GROVE FAMILY | CA | O50 | $429,021 | $46 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NORTH COAST YOUTH GOLF ASSOCIATION | CA | O50 | $349,236 | $372,218 | CEO | $159,198 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| MAXIMUM CHEER AND DANCE ALL STARS | CA | O50 | $363,137 | $372,131 | Treasurer | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FOSTERING YOUTH INDEPENDENCE | CA | O50 | $346,786 | $305,158 | Treasurer | $68,560 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| VACAVILLE POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE | CA | O50 | $362,634 | $169,201 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CITY HEARTS KIDS SAY YES TO THE ARTS L A FRINGE THEATRE INC | CA | O50 | $454,681 | $387,519 | EXECUTIVE DI | $138,634 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NEIGHBORHOOD SURVANTS | CA | O50 | $399,501 | $46,171 | President | $10,000 | Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state |
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.
2024 · Form 990 · $283,601 spent · pay $93,360 · grants $0 · events $21,136
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy | $59,097 | $50,233 | $8,864 | - | 20.8% | |
| Fees: other services | $51,792 | $36,627 | $13,989 | $1,176 | 18.3% | |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $41,750 | $12,714 | $20,740 | $8,296 | 14.7% | |
| Other salaries and wages | $41,208 | $41,208 | - | - | 14.5% | |
| Office expenses | $24,347 | $23,601 | $746 | - | 8.6% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $21,136 | $19,642 | $1,494 | - | 7.5% | |
| Travel | $15,648 | $13,641 | $2,007 | - | 5.5% | |
| Insurance | $8,215 | $6,161 | $2,054 | - | 2.9% | |
| Payroll taxes | $6,716 | $4,365 | $1,679 | $672 | 2.4% | |
| Fees: accounting | $6,240 | $547 | $5,610 | $83 | 2.2% | |
| Other employee benefits | $3,686 | $143 | $3,000 | $543 | 1.3% | |
| Information technology | $3,233 | $2,064 | $1,169 | - | 1.1% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $533 | $533 | - | - | 0.2% | |
| Total | $283,601 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990 · $85,463 spent · pay $26,776 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy | $27,600 | $27,600 | - | - | 32.3% | |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $24,709 | $24,709 | - | - | 28.9% | |
| Other (as described) | Student Supplies, Student Meals, Student Transportation | $19,744 | $13,404 | $6,340 | $0 | 23.1% |
| Insurance | $5,698 | $5,698 | - | - | 6.7% | |
| Fees: accounting | $3,060 | $3,060 | - | - | 3.6% | |
| Information technology | $2,552 | $2,552 | - | - | 3.0% | |
| Payroll taxes | $2,067 | $2,067 | - | - | 2.4% | |
| Office expenses | $33 | $33 | - | - | 0.0% | |
| Total | $85,463 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990 · $40,874 spent · pay $13,319 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other (as described) | THE CO-OP | $16,268 | $16,268 | $0 | $0 | 39.8% |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $11,046 | - | $11,046 | - | 27.0% | |
| Insurance | $4,657 | - | $4,657 | - | 11.4% | |
| Payroll taxes | $2,273 | - | $2,273 | - | 5.6% | |
| Travel | $1,848 | - | $1,848 | - | 4.5% | |
| All other expenses | $1,338 | - | $1,338 | - | 3.3% | |
| Other (as described) | DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS | $1,271 | $0 | $1,271 | $0 | 3.1% |
| Office expenses | $915 | - | $915 | - | 2.2% | |
| Other (as described) | PAYROLL PROCESSING EXP | $612 | $0 | $612 | $0 | 1.5% |
| Fees: other services | $430 | - | $430 | - | 1.1% | |
| Other (as described) | CAMP XAVIER | $216 | $216 | $0 | $0 | 0.5% |
| Total | $40,874 | 100% |
2020 · Form 990EZ · $26,154 spent · pay $20,296 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $20,296 | 77.6% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $5,750 | 22.0% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $108 | 0.4% | |
| Total | $26,154 | 100% |
Federal grants and contracts
Awards from USAspending.gov to a recipient with this organization's name and zip code. Obligations by federal fiscal year (October to September); each award links to its page on usaspending.gov.
| Fiscal year | Grants and other assistance | Contracts | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
Largest awards · 0 shown
| Year | Agency | Kind | Program | Description | Obligated |
|---|
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