UPWARD PROJECT

Cite this

Plain text UPWARD PROJECT. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2021–2024. https://furp.org/org/upward-project-825201485. Retrieved 2026-10-25.

APA furp.org. (n.d.). UPWARD PROJECT [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2021–2024]. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/upward-project-825201485

MLA “UPWARD PROJECT.” furp.org, tax years 2021–2024, https://furp.org/org/upward-project-825201485. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-25; covers tax years 2021–2024. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.

2024 · Form 990 · revenue $386K · expenses $420K · assets $218K

EIN
82-5201485
Address
65 MORA ST, DORCHESTR CTR, MA 02124-4632
Website
theupwardproject.org
NTEE code
B99
Exempt type
501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
Ruling date
November 2020 (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
Mindy Wright (its 2020 Form 990-N)
Form 990-N e-postcards
1 filed, 2020 (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

To provide low income, first generation students who attend selective colleges the skills and resources they need to succeed in college and graduate prepared for careers in competitive and high wage fields. To seek upward mobility for students and work to disrupt the racial equity wealth gap in Boston.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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
Mindy Wright Executive Director2021-2024 $100,889$298,503 1
Zachary Shapiro (former) DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS2021 $12,000$12,000 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

8 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
Claire Newton President2023-2024 1 $0 reported 1
EJ Whelan Vice President2023-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Andrew Ward Treasurer2022-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Alexandria Nunez-Bibby Secretary2023-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Danelia Gossop Director2023-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Michael Damiano (former) DIR. OF CARE2021-2022 3 $0 reported 1
Tamika Jaques (former) PRESIDENT2022 1 $0 reported 1
Chris Conroy (former) VICE PRESIDE2022 1 $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $101K · 3 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Mindy Wright Executive Director40 $99,812$0$1,077 $100,8891
Claire Newton President1 $0$0$0 $01
EJ Whelan Vice President1 $0$0$0 $01
Andrew Ward Treasurer1 $0$0$0 $01
Alexandria Nunez-Bibby Secretary1 $0$0$0 $01
Danelia Gossop Director1 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $80K · 2 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
MINDY WRIGHT EXECUTIVE DI35 $80,096$0$0 $80,0961
DANELIA GOSSOP DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
CLAIRE NEWTON PRESIDENT1 $0$0$0 $01
ALEXANDRIA NUNEZ-BIBBY SECRETARY1 $0$0$0 $01
ANDREW WARD TREASURER1 $0$0$0 $01
EJ WHELAN VICE PRESIDE1 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $76K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
MINDY WRIGHT EXECUTIVE DI35 $75,510-- $75,5101
MICHAEL DAMIANO DIR. OF CARE3 $0-- $01
TAMIKA JAQUES PRESIDENT1 $0-- $01
CHRIS CONROY VICE PRESIDE1 $0-- $01
ANDREW WARD TREASURER1 $0-- $01
2021 · 3 people listed · 2 paid, $54K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
MINDY WRIGHT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR35 $42,008-$0 $42,0081
ZACHARY SHAPIRO DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS8 $12,000-$0 $12,0001
MICHAEL DAMIANO DIRECTOR OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT3 $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 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$386,090$420,187 $218,054$218,054 $386,047$0 $99,81230
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$450,317$284,141 $252,151$252,151 $445,424$0 $80,0962-
2022 · Form 990EZ period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$173,685$141,029 $68,604$68,604 $172,674- ---
2021 · Form 990EZ period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$118,250$83,159 $35,948$35,948 $118,250- ---

Funders of this organization

8 grantors reported grants to this organization, $517,000 in all, tax years 2020 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

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor Exact 2021-2024 4$374,000 2024$118,500
show
BOSTON FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor Exact 2020, 2022-2024 4$73,000 2024$41,000
show
THE LENNY ZAKIM FUND INC Public charity Exact 2022-2024 3$34,000 2024$15,000
show
MFS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION INC Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “UPWARD PROJECT” 2024 1$10,000 2024$10,000
show
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor Exact 2021 1$10,000 2021$10,000
show
FOLEY HOAG & ELIOT FDN Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “UPWARD PROJECT” 2024 1$5,500 2024$5,500
show
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor Exact 2024 1$5,500 2024$5,500
show
MORGAN STANLEY GLOBAL IMPACT FUNDING TRUST INC DAF sponsor Exact 2022 1$5,000 2022$5,000
show

Similar organizations

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)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
LOCAL JOURNALISM PROJECT INCMAB99 $390,142$386,481 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
26 2 FOUNDATION INCMAB99 $300,469$360,514 PRESIDENT$42,000 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
INNOVATIVE LEARNING INSTITUTES INCMAB99 $399,358$390,429 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
MASSACHUSETTS ENGLISH LEARNER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INCMAB99 $360,093$40,851 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/PRESIDE$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
PLUMFIELD ACADEMY INCMAB99 $326,010$363,170 PRESIDENT$73,666 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
DUXBURY STUDENT UNION ASSOCIATIONMAB99 $366,281$315,239 Executive Director$98,677 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
REALITY HACK INCMAB99 $438,483$378,824 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
MASSACHUSETTS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONMAB99 $435,921$445,950 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
MARY LYON FOUNDATION INCMAB99 $448,323$547,851 Chief Executive Officer$99,712 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
NORTH BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY TELEVISION CORPORATION INCMAB99 $311,635$314,060 EXECUTIVE DI$88,217 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
CREATIVE EDUCATION FOUNDATION INCMAB99 $491,552$593,744 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$132,029 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP INCMAB99 $360,000$529,369 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
LEAN GLOBAL NETWORK INCMAB99 $385,398$288,157 PRES/TREAS/CLERK-EXEC COMM MEM$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
ADDISCODER INCMAB99 $357,489$333,900 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
QURAN LEARNING CENTER INCMAB99 $382,975$163,465 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
INSTITUTE FOR PEACEABLE COMMUNITIES INCMAB99 $320,233$439,638 Treasurer/Clerk/Director$35,633 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION QUALITY INCMAB99 $400,553$401,285 CHAIRMAN$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
KASHMIR EDUCATION INITIATIVE KEIMAB99 $462,467$228,948 PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
WOMEN ENCOURAGING EMPOWERMENT INCMAB99 $377,944$404,616 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$101,882 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
BARNSTABLE YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION INCMAB99 $347,907$319,812 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
THE LABORATORY SAFETY INSTITUTE INCMAB99 $495,754$594,927 PAST PRESIDENT$101,355 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
PIECEWORK PARTNERSMAB99 $456,283$406,433 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$25,306 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
QUERY ON INCMAB99 $432,761$334,314 PRESIDENT, TREASURER, CLER$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
PROJECT DIVAMNB99 $300,416$473,069 Executive Director$80,495 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, similar name
DIGNITY PROJECTTXB99 $421,128$334,975 FOUNDER AND VISIONARY MEMBER$0 Same NTEE code B99, 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).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
THE WALTER S AND LUCIENNE B DRISKILL FOUNDATION Private foundation$3,065,2052 12022–2023 CREATIVE EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND funds this one DAF sponsor$2,421,61365 232016–2024 PROJECT LIGHT OF MANATEE INC; KASHMIR EDUCATION INITIATIVE KEI; LOCAL JOURNALISM PROJECT INC; DUXBURY STUDENT UNION ASSOCIATION and 19 more
SHERWOOD FOUNDATION Private foundation$1,577,67411 12015–2024 PRAIRIE STEM
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING funds this one DAF sponsor$1,162,08647 162014–2024 BELLA ABZUG LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE INC; NOBELITY PROJECT; HOWARD-SUAMICO EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC; NEEDFUL PROVISION INC and 12 more
RAYMOND JAMES CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT FUND DAF sponsor$1,113,34314 22017–2024 WOMENS LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE INC; NOBELITY PROJECT
GS DONOR ADVISED PHILANTHROPY FUND FOR WEALTH MANAGEMENT INC DAF sponsor$1,007,5128 42021–2024 MITZI PROJECT; LIFE COLLEGE; PROPEL ATL INC; CAREER GEAR HOUSTON
LAKESHORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$591,00010 12016–2025 LAKESHORE FIRST ROBOTICS PROGRAMS
THE LOZIER FOUNDATION Private foundation$562,0008 12021–2024 PRAIRIE STEM
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$545,36330 112019–2024 KASHMIR EDUCATION INITIATIVE KEI; ADDISCODER INC; IMPACT PLAYERS; WOMENS LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE INC and 7 more
PAYPAL CHARITABLE GIVING FUND DAF sponsor$540,9099 52018–2023 26 2 FOUNDATION INC; LEAN GLOBAL NETWORK INC; PLAY LIKE A GIRL; ORIGINS PROJECT FOUNDATION INC and 1 more
RUTH ST JOHN & JOHN DUNHAM WEST FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$530,0005 12020–2022 LAKESHORE FIRST ROBOTICS PROGRAMS
BOSTON FOUNDATION INC funds this one DAF sponsor$448,00011 22014–2024 WOMEN ENCOURAGING EMPOWERMENT INC; PIECEWORK PARTNERS
VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM DAF sponsor$430,00011 52020–2024 MARY LYON FOUNDATION INC; IF YOU HEARD WHAT I HEARD INC; NOBELITY PROJECT; UPPER VALLEY TRAILS ALLIANCE INC and 1 more
THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$414,65710 12014–2024 ACE MENTOR PROGRAM OF AMERICA INC
NEW HAMPSHIRE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$406,45519 12010–2024 UPPER VALLEY TRAILS ALLIANCE INC

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 · $420,187 spent · pay $257,467 · grants $0 · events $3,209
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $116,452$69,871$34,936$11,645 27.7%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $99,812$29,944$19,962$49,906 23.8%
Other (as described)Summer Program $45,899$45,899-- 10.9%
Payroll taxes $41,203$24,722$12,361$4,120 9.8%
Other (as described)College Expenses $17,634$17,634-- 4.2%
Other (as described)Opportunity Fund $16,770$16,770-- 4.0%
Other (as described)Internship Fund $15,074$15,074-- 3.6%
All other expenses $13,586$10,636-$2,950 3.2%
Office expenses $11,091$11,091-- 2.6%
Advertising and promotion $10,286$10,286-- 2.4%
Information technology $8,427$8,427-- 2.0%
Fees: accounting $7,138-$7,138- 1.7%
Insurance $7,016$7,016-- 1.7%
Occupancy $5,558$5,558-- 1.3%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $3,209$3,209-- 0.8%
Fees: other services $525-$525- 0.1%
Depreciation and depletion $507$507-- 0.1%
Total$420,187100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $284,141 spent · pay $143,184 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $80,096$48,057$24,029$8,010 28.2%
Fees: other services $52,563$15,769$36,794- 18.5%
Other salaries and wages $46,222$27,733$13,867$4,622 16.3%
Other (as described)SUMMER PROGRAM EXPENSE $25,468$25,468-- 9.0%
Other (as described)OPPORTUNITY FUND $17,247$17,247-- 6.1%
Payroll taxes $16,866$10,119$5,060$1,687 5.9%
Office expenses $12,489$4,566$7,923- 4.4%
Travel $9,657$9,657-- 3.4%
Other (as described)EMERGENCY FUND $6,152$6,152-- 2.2%
All other expenses $5,875$1,251$2,918$1,706 2.1%
Other (as described)INTERNSHIP FUND $4,551$4,551-- 1.6%
Occupancy $3,000$3,000-- 1.1%
Advertising and promotion $2,020$2,020-- 0.7%
Fees: accounting $1,850-$1,850- 0.7%
Depreciation and depletion $85$85-- 0.0%
Total$284,141100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990EZ · $141,029 spent · pay $84,235 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $84,235 59.7%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $55,669 39.5%
Fees to independent contractors $1,125 0.8%
Total$141,029100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990EZ · $83,159 spent · pay $54,008 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $54,008 64.9%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $25,389 30.5%
Fees to independent contractors $3,670 4.4%
Printing, publications, postage $92 0.1%
Total$83,159100%

View the filing

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