COOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE
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 COOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2023–2025. https://furp.org/org/cool-learning-experience-884195004. Retrieved 2026-11-14.
APA furp.org. (n.d.). COOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2023–2025]. Retrieved November 14, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/cool-learning-experience-884195004
MLA “COOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE.” furp.org, tax years 2023–2025, https://furp.org/org/cool-learning-experience-884195004. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-11-14; covers tax years 2023–2025. Data: furp.org (index © the FURP Alliance; the records are public domain).
2025 · Form 990EZ · revenue $198K · expenses $202K · assets $29K
- EIN
- 88-4195004
- Address
- 401 N GENESEE ST, WAUKEGAN, IL 60085-4005
- Website
- clewaukegan.org
- NTEE code
- B90 Educational Services and Schools - Other (Education) published (IRS Business Master File)
- Exempt type
- 501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
- Ruling date
- May 2023 (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))
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
Cool Learning Experience offers out of school programs for school aged children in the Waukegan area, using STEAM-based age appropriate curriculum with an environmental focus.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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
1 person 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maritza Rocha | Executive Director | 2023-2025 | $86,830 | $218,510 | 1 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linda Wiens | President | 2023-2025 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Mark Nolte | Treasurer | 2023-2025 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Gale Graves | Secretary | 2023-2025 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Yareli Salgado | Director | 2024-2025 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Cory Ratliff | Director | 2023-2025 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Azuree Winston | Director | 2024-2025 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Yarelio Salgado (former) | Director | 2023 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2025 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $87K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maritza Rocha | Executive Director | 40 | $86,830 | - | - | $86,830 | 1 |
| Linda Wiens | President | 5 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Mark Nolte | Treasurer | 5 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Gale Graves | Secretary | 5 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Yareli Salgado | Director | 5 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Cory Ratliff | Director | 5 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Azuree Winston | Director | 5 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
2024 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $105K · 16 employees · 12 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maritza Rocha | Executive Director | 40 | $105,430 | $0 | $0 | $105,430 | 1 |
| Linda Wiens | President | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mark Nolte | Treasurer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Gale Graves | Secretary | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Yareli Salgado | Director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Cory Ratliff | Director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Azuree Winston | Director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $26K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maritza Rocha | Executive Director | 40 | $26,250 | - | $0 | $26,250 | 1 |
| Linda Wiens | President | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Mark Nolte | Treasurer | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Gale Graves | Secretary | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Yarelio Salgado | Director | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Cory Ratliff | Director | 1 | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $198,324 | $202,052 | $28,879 | $28,879 | $191,766 | $0 | - | - | - |
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $238,036 | $271,400 | $32,787 | $32,607 | $227,065 | $10,533 | $105,431 | 16 | 12 |
| 2023 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $162,076 | $96,105 | $69,171 | $69,171 | $161,451 | $258 | - | - | - |
Funders of this organization
10 grantors reported grants to this organization, $168,074 in all, tax years 2020 to 2025. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAROLD M AND ADELINE S MORRISON FAMILY FOUNDATION | $65,000 | 1 | $65,000 | 2024 | 2024 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “COOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE” | show |
| HUNTER FAMILY FOUNDATION | $25,000 | 1 | $25,000 | 2024 | 2024 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “COOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE” | show |
| REI COOPERATIVE ACTION FUND | $20,000 | 2 | $10,000 | 2024 | 2023-2024 | Public charity | Exact | show |
| DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING | $16,000 | 1 | $16,000 | 2024 | 2024 | DAF sponsor | Exact | show |
| LAKE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | $10,000 | 1 | $10,000 | 2023 | 2023 | DAF sponsor | Exact | show |
| WINDWARD FUND | $10,000 | 1 | $10,000 | 2023 | 2023 | Public charity | Exact | show |
| HOST FOUNDATION LTD | $7,933 | 2 | $4,029 | 2021 | 2020-2021 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “COOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE” | show |
| AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC | $6,348 | 1 | $6,348 | 2025 | 2025 | DAF sponsor | Exact | show |
| GIVENKIND | $5,293 | 1 | $5,293 | 2024 | 2024 | Public charity | Exact | show |
| HANLEY FOUNDATION | $2,500 | 1 | $2,500 | 2020 | 2020 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “COOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE” | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LUSTER LEARNING INSTITUTE NFP | IL | B90 | $227,416 | $507,867 | President CEO | $125,000 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ELITE HOCKEY SCHOOL | IL | B90 | $219,500 | $232,147 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| COSMETIC SURGERY FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION RESEARCH & PATIENT SAFET | IL | B90 | $211,182 | $51,132 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| RIVER OAKS COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | IL | B90 | $166,810 | $182,380 | CHAIRMAN | $45,277 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| EVERYLIBRARY | IL | B90 | $213,499 | $161,604 | Board Member | $48,000 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| EDUCATION COUTURE NFP | IL | B90 | $188,469 | $244,166 | TREASURER | $0 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| LYONS TOWNSHIP HOCKEY CLUB | IL | B90 | $230,211 | $277,193 | Director | $0 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FRIENDS OF THE DES PLAINES PUBLIC LIBRARY | IL | B90 | $199,348 | $198,260 | Vice President | $0 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ILLINOIS COALITION FOR EDUCATING AT-RISK YOUTH | IL | B90 | $244,266 | $235,850 | REPRESENTATI | $0 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| BOOKWALLAH ORGANIZATION | IL | B90 | $203,836 | $215,735 | President | $91,080 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SECOND CENTURY FOUNDATION | IL | B90 | $210,651 | $332,855 | PRESIDENT | $97,500 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| IT TAKES A VILLAGE MENTORSHIP LLC | IL | B90 | $206,349 | $137,692 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| PARTNERS IN INTEGRATING EDUCATION | IL | B90 | $177,451 | $151,035 | PRESIDENT | $24,000 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| WOMENS EXCHANGE NFP | IL | B90 | $206,271 | $156,800 | Executive Dir. | $65,660 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| WHATS YOUR FORTE FOUNDATION | IL | B90 | $171,585 | $111,321 | Executive Dir. | $80,000 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ILLINOIS STATE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION | IL | B90 | $208,905 | $212,072 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CLIMATE ECONOMY EDUCATION INC | IL | B90 | $171,044 | $222,967 | PresidentCEO | $42 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SWEDISH COVENANT MEDICAL STAFF | IL | B90 | $209,100 | $223,520 | Chair/President | $50,000 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CHILDREN LEARNING THROUGH OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE | TN | B90 | $202,771 | $217,542 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, similar name |
| PRIMA EARLY LEARNING CENTER INC | PA | B90 | $169,725 | $248,858 | SOLICITOR | $9,000 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x, similar mission |
| SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE IN LAW INC | OH | B90 | $223,422 | $110,859 | Executive Director | $22,975 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x |
| A 1 LEARNING CONNECTIONS | TN | B90 | $192,772 | $185,750 | Executive Director | $105,228 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x |
| DOCTORS OF ACADEMICS LEARNING ACADEMY | FL | B90 | $213,950 | $221,119 | CEO & President | $37,025 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x |
| LEARNING ENDEAVORS | HI | B90 | $182,862 | $195,789 | Executive Director | $89,925 | Same NTEE code B90, revenue within 2x |
| THE LEARNING TREE INC | DC | B90 | $169,677 | $0 | CEO | $0 | Same NTEE code B90, 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 · $202,052 spent · pay $173,606 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $173,606 | 85.9% | |
| Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance | $25,943 | 12.8% | |
| Fees to independent contractors | $2,503 | 1.2% | |
| Total | $202,052 | 100% |
2024 · Form 990 · $271,400 spent · pay $233,780 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $105,431 | $52,500 | $26,681 | $26,250 | 38.8% | |
| Other salaries and wages | $104,545 | $88,647 | $14,135 | $1,763 | 38.5% | |
| Payroll taxes | $19,200 | - | $19,200 | - | 7.1% | |
| Fees: management | $11,428 | $1,144 | $7,355 | $2,929 | 4.2% | |
| Office expenses | $9,418 | $2,348 | $7,070 | - | 3.5% | |
| Insurance | $6,009 | - | $6,009 | - | 2.2% | |
| Travel | $5,095 | $5,095 | - | - | 1.9% | |
| Other employee benefits | $4,604 | - | $4,604 | - | 1.7% | |
| Information technology | $3,270 | - | $3,270 | - | 1.2% | |
| Occupancy | $2,400 | - | $2,400 | - | 0.9% | |
| Total | $271,400 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990EZ · $96,105 spent · pay $56,979 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $56,979 | 59.3% | |
| Fees to independent contractors | $33,530 | 34.9% | |
| Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance | $4,649 | 4.8% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $947 | 1.0% | |
| Total | $96,105 | 100% |
Others with the same interests
NTEE code Educational Services and Schools - Other, IL first:
- SINGLES PLEASING THE LORD INC IL
- TOMORROWS SUNSHINE ASSOCIATION IL
- JW GARVY ADOPT-A-CLASSROOM NFP IL
- OUR YOUTH CDC IL
- ACCESS BY FAITH MINISTRY IL
- NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION INC IL
- DOVE FOUNDATION IL
- ACCREDITING COUNCIL FOR COLLEGIATE GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS INC IL
- E B J FOUNDATION IL
- TUTORING PLUS NFP IL
In other datasets, the same topic (Education) in IL:
- IPO registrant: ARGOSY EDUCATION GROUP INC (IPO registrations (S-1, F-1))
- Lobbying client: 2020 ADVISOR LLC (Federal lobbying (LDA))
Interests: Educational Services and Schools - Other · Education
The area Census
County outline, the place (blue), the tract (orange) and the ZIP center (dot).
In Census Tract 8615.04, Lake County, Illinois, place (city or town) Waukegan, IL, county Lake County, IL, state Illinois; placed by its ZIP code (county and tract) and city name (place). The tract is the tract holding most of the record's ZIP code (FURP does not geocode street addresses).
- Maritza Rocha was paid $86,830, 1.2 times the median household income in Waukegan, IL ($71,919), where 15.3% of residents live in poverty.
- Revenue of $198,324 is $2 per resident of Waukegan, IL (population 89,076).
- That revenue equals 0.01% of all household income in Waukegan, IL (32,042 households at the median $71,919, about $2,304,428,598).
| Measure | Census tract Census Tract 8615.04, Lake County, Illinois | Place (city or town) Waukegan, IL | County Lake County, IL | State Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population B01003 | 9,338 | 89,076 | 714,223 | 12,694,798 |
| Population, 2020 census P1 | 8,472 | 89,321 | 714,342 | 12,812,508 |
| Median age B01002 | 34.3 | 35.5 | 39.1 | 39.0 |
| Under 18 B01001 | 23.6% | 22.8% | 23.3% | 21.8% |
| 65 and over B01001 | 6.1% | 12.1% | 15.8% | 17.0% |
| Households B11001 | 3,384 | 32,042 | 258,455 | 5,036,449 |
| Foreign born B05002 | 44.7% | 31.0% | 19.8% | 14.7% |
| Median household income B19013 | $83,134 | $71,919 | $110,416 | $83,390 |
| Median family income B19113 | $97,194 | $84,337 | $135,361 | $106,018 |
| Per capita income B19301 | $39,983 | $33,249 | $57,153 | $46,406 |
| Poverty rate B17001 | 5.1% | 15.3% | 8.3% | 11.8% |
| Unemployment rate B23025 | 3.7% | 6.4% | 5.2% | 5.8% |
| Civilian labor force B23025 | 5,465 | 48,260 | 376,923 | 6,652,134 |
| Mean commute (minutes) B08013 | 22.9 | 26.1 | 28.5 | 27.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher B15003 | 43.5% | 20.9% | 47.7% | 37.8% |
| Housing units B25001 | 3,419 | 33,229 | 270,618 | 5,457,452 |
| Owner-occupied B25003 | 52.0% | 50.2% | 74.8% | 67.1% |
| Renters B25003 | 48.0% | 49.8% | 25.2% | 32.9% |
| Median home value B25077 | $219,900 | $190,900 | $345,700 | $263,300 |
| Median gross rent B25064 | $1,653 | $1,205 | $1,477 | $1,274 |
| White, not Hispanic B03002 | 14.6% | 16.7% | 56.2% | 58.1% |
| Black B03002 | 6.4% | 16.6% | 6.3% | 13.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino B03002 | 51.2% | 57.9% | 24.9% | 18.8% |
| Asian B03002 | 25.1% | 5.4% | 8.6% | 5.9% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native B03002 | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
Economy now FRED unemployment 4.6% in Sep 2026 (4.5% a year earlier); per capita personal income $78,987 in 2025, up 28% in five years (+3.1% after inflation); the state; Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Data: IPUMS NHGIS (ACS 2020-2024 and the 2020 census); each figure links to its table for that area at data.census.gov. Records are placed by ZIP code and city name, not street address. More: everything FURP has in Census Tract 8615.04, Lake County, Illinois.
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