ACADEMY PROJECT

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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Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Lauren Costa ED/PRESIDENT2020-2024 $35,975$83,730 1
Claire Conley MEMBER2020-2024 $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.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Celia Botet TREASURER2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Maria Koutsoukolis SECRETARY2023-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Sheila Cutchlow MEMBER2021-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Mary Gastineau MEMBER2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Michele Perry MEMBER2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Tammy Watson-Smith MEMBER2021-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Claire Conely (former) BOARD MEMBER2021 5 $0 reported 1
Maria Cristel (former) BOARD MEMBER2021 5 $0 reported 1
Cheyenne Rogers (former) MEMBER OF BOARD2020 5 $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 8 people listed · 1 paid, $36K · 2 employees · 65 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
LAUREN COSTA ED/PRESIDENT40 $35,975$0$0 $35,9751
CELIA BOTET TREASURER2 $0$0$0 $01
MARIA KOUTSOUKOLIS SECRETARY2 $0$0$0 $01
CLAIRE CONLEY MEMBER2 $0$0$0 $01
SHEILA CUTCHLOW MEMBER2 $0$0$0 $01
MARY GASTINEAU MEMBER2 $0$0$0 $01
MICHELE PERRY MEMBER2 $0$0$0 $01
TAMMY WATSON-SMITH MEMBER2 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 8 people listed · 1 paid, $25K · 0 employees · 50 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Lauren Costa Exeuctive Director/President60 $24,709$0$0 $24,7091
Celia Botet Treasure2 $0$0$0 $01
Claire Conley Member of the Board2 $0$0$0 $01
Sheila Cutchlow Member of the Board2 $0$0$0 $01
Mary Gastineau Member of the Board2 $0$0$0 $01
Michele Perry member of the Board2 $0$0$0 $01
Tammy Watson-Smith Member of the Board2 $0$0$0 $01
Maria Koutsoukolis Secretary2 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 8 people listed · 1 paid, $11K · 0 employees · 50 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
LAUREN COSTA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR40 $11,046$0$0 $11,0461
CELIA BOTET TREASURER5 $0$0$0 $01
CLAIRE CONELY BOARD MEMBER5 $0$0$0 $01
SHEILA CUTCHLOW BOARD MEMBER5 $0$0$0 $01
MICHELE PERRY SECRETARY5 $0$0$0 $01
TAMMY SMITH BAORD MEMBER5 $0$0$0 $01
MARIA CRISTEL BOARD MEMBER5 $0$0$0 $01
LAUREN COSTA PRESIDENT5 $0$0$0 $01
2020 · 8 people listed · 2 paid, $19K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
LAUREN COSTA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR60 $12,000-$0 $12,0001
CLAIRE CONLEY VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR10 $6,800-$0 $6,8001
LAUREN COSTA PRESIDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS10 $0-$0 $01
CLAIRE CONLEY SECRETARY5 $0-$0 $01
CELIA BOTET TREASURER5 $0-$0 $01
MICHELE PERRY BOARD MEMBER5 $0-$0 $01
CHEYENNE ROGERS MEMBER OF BOARD5 $0-$0 $01
MARY GASTINEAU MEMBER OF BOARD5 $0-$0 $01

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.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2025-06-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$384,296$283,601 $244,279$244,279 $384,138$158 $41,750265
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2024-06-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$221,677$85,463 $136,214$136,214 $221,677$0 $24,709050
2021 · Form 990 period ending 2022-06-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$58,609$40,874 $57,118$57,118 $58,609$0 $11,046050
2020 · Form 990EZ period ending 2021-06-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$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

GrantorTotal givenGrantsLatest year's amountLatest yearYears givenTypeMatchGrants
THE CRAIL-JOHNSON FOUNDATION $30,0002 $15,0002020 2018, 2020 Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “ACADEMY PROJECT”
show
THE ALBERTSONS COMPANIES FOUNDATION $25,0001 $25,0002021 2021 Public charity Exact
show
SPROUTS HEALTHY COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION $9,5001 $9,5002024 2024 Public charity Exact
show
IMA FOUNDATION $8,0001 $8,0002023 2023 Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “ACADEMY PROJECT”
show
THE BLACKBAUD GIVING FUND $8,0001 $8,0002023 2023 DAF sponsor Fuzzy filed as “ACADEMY PROJECT”
show
FORGOOD INC $6,2581 $6,2582016 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)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
EMILIANI PROJECTCAO50 $324,218$312,932 Director$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
URBAN SCHOLAR ACADEMYCAO50 $462,565$463,524 Executive Dir.$50,348 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
HEALTHY ROOM PROJECT CORPORATIONCAO50 $352,624$394,880 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
THE WAHINE PROJECT INCCAO50 $453,532$453,712 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
PINKNEY FOUNDATIONCAO50 $380,851$356,632 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state, similar mission
NEXT STEP A MAP PROGRAMCAO50 $369,895$231,313 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
SPARK PROMISECAO50 $363,316$557,979 CEO$158,814 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
REEL GUPPY OUTDOORSCAO50 $336,238$333,445 President$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state, similar mission
DEPARTMENT OF SOUNDCAO50 $410,958$570,377 Chief Executive Officer$124,800 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state, similar mission
HIGHLANDERS BOXING CLUB PROGRAMCAO50 $390,137$364,746 CIFUENTES$75,000 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
EAST LOS ANGELES BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBCAO50 $432,209$527,557 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$70,013 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
WARREN-WALKER PROMISE FOUNDATION INCORPORATEDCAO50 $377,312$453,831 BOARD MEMBER$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
TRANSITIONAL YOUTH MOBILIZING FOR CHANGECAO50 $418,584$426,054 Executive Dir.$54,000 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
EDWIN AND DOROTHY BAKER FOUNDATIONCAO50 $379,221$380,795 Executive Dir.$47,500 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
SQUASH ON TRACKCAO50 $336,526$296,581 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
SRD-STRAIGHTENING REINS FOUNDATIONCAO50 $452,958$371,811 DIRECTOR$62,528 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
BLUE HEART FOUNDATION INCCAO50 $327,308$312,356 President$13,510 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
UCEUS CORPCAO50 $451,307$500,342 President$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
ASPEN GROVE FAMILYCAO50 $429,021$46 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
NORTH COAST YOUTH GOLF ASSOCIATIONCAO50 $349,236$372,218 CEO$159,198 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
MAXIMUM CHEER AND DANCE ALL STARSCAO50 $363,137$372,131 Treasurer$0 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
FOSTERING YOUTH INDEPENDENCECAO50 $346,786$305,158 Treasurer$68,560 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
VACAVILLE POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUECAO50 $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 INCCAO50 $454,681$387,519 EXECUTIVE DI$138,634 Same NTEE code O50, revenue within 2x, same state
NEIGHBORHOOD SURVANTSCAO50 $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).

GrantorTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedTypeYearsWhich ones
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND $1,381,80052 21DAF sponsor2016–2024 WARREN-WALKER PROMISE FOUNDATION INCORPORATED; FIRST DRAFT ACADEMY INC; ENCAMPMENT FOR CITIZENSHIP; SPARK PROMISE and 17 more
TIDES FOUNDATION $1,242,0506 3DAF sponsor2019–2024 TRANSITIONAL YOUTH MOBILIZING FOR CHANGE; GIRLS INCORPORATED OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY; ENCAMPMENT FOR CITIZENSHIP
THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION $1,122,70818 4DAF sponsor2019–2024 BLUE HEART FOUNDATION INC; GIRLS INCORPORATED OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY; WARREN-WALKER PROMISE FOUNDATION INCORPORATED; LEAP LEARNING CENTER
THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT $990,20520 4Private foundation2013–2024 TRANSITIONAL YOUTH MOBILIZING FOR CHANGE; BLUE HEART FOUNDATION INC; EDWIN AND DOROTHY BAKER FOUNDATION; THE GREENHOUSE
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING $855,53848 14DAF sponsor2014–2024 ENCAMPMENT FOR CITIZENSHIP; EASTSIDE STUDENT CENTER; THE GREENHOUSE; SQUASH ON TRACK and 10 more
OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION $630,1359 1DAF sponsor2016–2024 AC PORTLAND
FORGOOD INC funds this one $545,62737 10DAF sponsor2010–2024 ENCAMPMENT FOR CITIZENSHIP; FIRST DRAFT ACADEMY INC; JOYFUL CHILD FOUNDATION-IN MEMORY OF SAMANTHA RUNNION; Leave Out Violence LOVE US Inc and 6 more
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC $501,89741 21DAF sponsor2020–2025 CITY HEARTS KIDS SAY YES TO THE ARTS L A FRINGE THEATRE INC; PROJECT ONETEN NFP; SQUASH ON TRACK; FIRST DRAFT ACADEMY INC and 17 more
B D & JANE MCINTYRE FOUNDATION $456,0007 1Private foundation2018–2024 PROJECT SECOND CHANCE MONROE
AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION $446,95123 9DAF sponsor2016–2024 ENCAMPMENT FOR CITIZENSHIP; BLUE HEART FOUNDATION INC; EVERY MONDAY MATTERS INC; ACCESS U INC and 5 more
CABIN ROAD FOUNDATION 04042011 $400,0002 1Private foundation2017–2019 BAYVIEW ASSOCIATION FOR YOUTH
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION $378,18110 7DAF sponsor2012–2024 EAST LOS ANGELES BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB; URBAN SCHOLAR ACADEMY; SOLA ROBOTICS; EDWIN AND DOROTHY BAKER FOUNDATION and 3 more
SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION $352,91511 4DAF sponsor2010–2024 BAYVIEW ASSOCIATION FOR YOUTH; ENCAMPMENT FOR CITIZENSHIP; PINKNEY FOUNDATION; SQUASH ON TRACK
CALLAHAN FAMILY FOUNDATION INC $350,0391 1Private foundation2024–2024 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC
VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM $304,50020 9DAF sponsor2020–2024 NEW COMMUNITY PROJECT INC; AMERICAN VAULTING ASSOCIATION; ENCAMPMENT FOR CITIZENSHIP; REVIVAL and 5 more

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
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
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$283,601100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $85,463 spent · pay $26,776 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
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$85,463100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990 · $40,874 spent · pay $13,319 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
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$40,874100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990EZ · $26,154 spent · pay $20,296 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
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$26,154100%

View the filing

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 yearGrants and other assistanceContractsAwards
2021$0$03
Largest awards · 0 shown
YearAgencyKindProgramDescriptionObligated

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