EXPLOREK12
Cite this
Plain text EXPLOREK12. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2023–2024. https://furp.org/org/explorek12-861867758. Retrieved 2026-10-29.
APA furp.org. (n.d.). EXPLOREK12 [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2023–2024]. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/explorek12-861867758
MLA “EXPLOREK12.” furp.org, tax years 2023–2024, https://furp.org/org/explorek12-861867758. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-10-29; covers tax years 2023–2024. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.
2024 · Form 990 · revenue $2.1M · expenses $2.6M · assets $595K
- Also known as
- EXPLORE ACADEMY
- EIN
- 86-1867758
- Address
- 12405 VENICE BLVD SUITE 387, LOS ANGELES, CA 90066-3803
- Website
- WWW.EXPLOREK12OC.ORG
- NTEE code
- B20
- Exempt type
- 501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
- Ruling date
- February 2025 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
- IRS status
- Exempt: reinstated November 15, 2023 after an automatic revocation on November 15, 2023 IRS data ↗
- Tax-deductible donations
- Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
- Foundation status
- School
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
TO PROVIDE ALL STUDENTS ACROSS ORANGE COUNTY WITH A PERSONALIZED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE THROUGH A NETWORK OF COUNTRYWIDE CURRICULAR DIVERSITY AND THE POWER OF STUDENT CHOICE, ALLOWING EACH STUDENT TO CREATE A PERSONALIZED AND ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL PATHWAY IN PREPARATION FOR COLLEGE.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Schottman | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 2024 | $36,250 | $36,250 | 1 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal Tinajero | CHAIR | 2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Cherylyn Mendoza | SECRETARY | 2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Mike Tardif | TREASURER | 2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Lloyd Boucher-Reyes | DIRECTOR | 2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Sylvia Iglesias | DIRECTOR | 2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Kelly Felton (former) | BOARD CHAIR | 2023 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Cherlynn Mendoza (former) | BOARD MEMBER | 2023 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| John Phan (former) | BOARD MEMBER | 2023 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Chad Soleo (former) | BOARD MEMBER | 2023 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Mike Tardiff (former) | BOARD MEMBER | 2023 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Laura Schlottman (former) | EXECUTIVE DI | 2023 | 40 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2024 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $36K · 22 employees · 5 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA SCHOTTMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $36,250 | $0 | $0 | $36,250 | 1 |
| SAL TINAJERO | CHAIR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CHERYLYN MENDOZA | SECRETARY | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MIKE TARDIF | TREASURER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| LLOYD BOUCHER-REYES | DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| SYLVIA IGLESIAS | DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 6 people listed · none paid · 4 employees · 5 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KELLY FELTON | BOARD CHAIR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CHERLYNN MENDOZA | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| JOHN PHAN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CHAD SOLEO | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MIKE TARDIFF | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| LAURA SCHLOTTMAN | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $0 | $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 | ||||||||
| $2,096,669 | $2,572,769 | $594,876 | -$778,374 | $2,094,916 | $0 | $118,696 | 22 | 5 |
| 2023 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $104,003 | $333,001 | $414,435 | -$305,722 | $104,003 | $0 | - | 4 | 5 |
Funders of this organization
Not reported: no grants to this organization appear in the filings we have (tax years 2010 to 2025).
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)
| Organization | State | NTEE | Latest revenue | Latest expenses | Top-paid title | Top pay | Why similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOOD ROSE ACADEMY | CA | B20 | $1,922,377 | $1,913,442 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SOUTH COAST MONTESSORI | CA | B20 | $2,380,783 | $2,103,576 | Head of School | $145,530 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SANTA BARBARA EDUCATION FOUNDATION | CA | B20 | $2,969,512 | $3,729,959 | Executive Director | $152,566 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FOLSOM PREP ACADEMY | CA | B20 | $2,160,626 | $2,180,588 | Trustee | $0 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| TERRA MARIN SCHOOL | CA | B20 | $1,493,909 | $1,025,811 | President & Dir | $0 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| IMAGINATION LAB SCHOOL | CA | B20 | $1,834,676 | $2,043,521 | HEAD OF SCHOOL | $265,756 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| EDSOURCE INC | CA | B20 | $2,741,728 | $4,106,123 | FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | $203,773 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SHANEL VALLEY ACADEMY | CA | B20 | $3,078,778 | $2,994,493 | PRINCIPAL | $125,150 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| LEGACY ACADEMY FOR JEWISH EDUCATION INCORPORATED | CA | B20 | $1,819,071 | $1,510,119 | PRINCIPAL | $107,310 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| EMPOWER GENERATIONS | CA | B20 | $1,743,615 | $1,595,215 | SCHOOL DIRECTOR | $173,083 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| KNOX SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA | CA | B20 | $1,733,066 | $1,644,091 | HEAD OF SCHOOL | $110,012 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | CA | B20 | $2,500,209 | $2,832,915 | Director | $120,000 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| EAST PALO ALTO ACADEMY FOUNDATION | CA | B20 | $1,720,285 | $1,741,164 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $158,632 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| BITNEY COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL | CA | B20 | $1,559,841 | $1,626,702 | Director | $109,658 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| KENTFIELD SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | CA | B20 | $2,092,702 | $1,899,934 | Executive Dir. | $102,221 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SILICON VALLEY ACADEMY PROJECT | CA | B20 | $2,667,019 | $2,696,238 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| MODESTO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INC | CA | B20 | $2,687,133 | $2,966,733 | IMM. PAST PR | $0 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NEW HOPE CHARTER SCHOOL | CA | B20 | $2,944,724 | $3,275,126 | SCHOOL DIRECTOR | $171,164 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| RED BRIDGE EDUCATION | CA | B20 | $1,922,335 | $2,378,923 | AL3 LEARNING GUIDE | $119,657 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| VINEYARD ACADEMY INC | CA | B20 | $1,498,917 | $1,818,080 | PRESIDENT | $75,751 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS FOUNDATION | CA | B20 | $1,866,561 | $1,239,866 | DIRECTOR | $534,399 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SYCAMORE COMMUNITY SCHOOL | CA | B20 | $3,055,102 | $2,899,907 | PRESIDENT | $164,757 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| OR HACHAIM ACADEMY | CA | B20 | $1,682,520 | $1,531,299 | Director | $0 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| GENEVA CLASSICAL INC | CA | B20 | $2,065,774 | $1,970,002 | Chairman | $0 | Same NTEE code B20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NEW HORIZON SCHOOL WESTSIDE | CA | B20 | $1,904,975 | $1,574,004 | Secretary | $0 | Same NTEE code B20, 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 · $2,572,769 spent · pay $1,148,451 · grants $0 · events $26,085
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $862,837 | $798,149 | $64,688 | - | 33.5% | |
| Other (as described) | BOOKS AND SUPPLIES | $478,135 | $470,914 | $7,221 | - | 18.6% |
| Fees: other services | $195,178 | $10,688 | $184,490 | - | 7.6% | |
| Occupancy | $142,073 | $139,598 | $2,475 | - | 5.5% | |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $118,696 | - | $118,696 | - | 4.6% | |
| Other (as described) | SPECIAL EDUCATION | $111,930 | $84,456 | $27,474 | - | 4.4% |
| Other employee benefits | $89,742 | $74,264 | $15,478 | - | 3.5% | |
| Interest | $78,895 | $64,155 | $14,740 | - | 3.1% | |
| Payroll taxes | $77,176 | $63,259 | $13,917 | - | 3.0% | |
| Fees: management | $76,583 | - | $76,583 | - | 3.0% | |
| Other (as described) | SUBSTITUTES | $66,523 | $28,415 | $38,108 | - | 2.6% |
| Information technology | $52,644 | - | $52,644 | - | 2.0% | |
| Fees: legal | $51,062 | - | $51,062 | - | 2.0% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $41,511 | $33,755 | $7,756 | - | 1.6% | |
| Insurance | $35,240 | $28,656 | $6,584 | - | 1.4% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $26,085 | $21,212 | $4,873 | - | 1.0% | |
| Travel | $25,530 | $25,530 | - | - | 1.0% | |
| Other (as described) | CHARTER AUTHORIZER FEES | $15,517 | - | $15,517 | - | 0.6% |
| Fees: accounting | $14,255 | - | $14,255 | - | 0.6% | |
| Office expenses | $11,469 | $9,326 | $2,143 | - | 0.4% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $1,688 | $1,373 | $315 | - | 0.1% | |
| Total | $2,572,769 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990 · $333,001 spent · pay $7,458 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy | $88,151 | $88,151 | - | - | 26.5% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $67,181 | $67,181 | - | - | 20.2% | |
| Fees: accounting | $37,500 | $37,500 | - | - | 11.3% | |
| Other (as described) | BOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL | $27,377 | $27,377 | - | - | 8.2% |
| Fees: other services | $26,648 | $26,648 | - | - | 8.0% | |
| Office expenses | $24,446 | $24,446 | - | - | 7.3% | |
| Fees: legal | $23,641 | $23,641 | - | - | 7.1% | |
| Interest | $16,925 | $16,925 | - | - | 5.1% | |
| Insurance | $6,818 | $6,818 | - | - | 2.0% | |
| Other salaries and wages | $6,270 | $6,270 | - | - | 1.9% | |
| Other (as described) | IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS | $4,693 | $4,693 | - | - | 1.4% |
| Travel | $1,728 | $1,728 | - | - | 0.5% | |
| Payroll taxes | $1,188 | $1,188 | - | - | 0.4% | |
| Information technology | $435 | $435 | - | - | 0.1% | |
| Total | $333,001 | 100% |
Comments