Achievement First Inc
85% goes to programs $6 to raise $100 Strong reserves
Achievement First Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in New Haven, Connecticut, registered in 2004, with $56,469,410 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 85% of spending to programs.
470 James Street Ste 007, New Haven, CT, 06513 EIN 65-1203744 Since 2004
Revenue (FY2023)
$56.5M
▲ 34.6% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$51.1M
Net assets
$33.3M
Employees
325
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
AProgram efficiency40% of the rating85% to programs · $6 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Achievement First Inc: 85% to programs · $6 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating8 mo reserves · +9% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Achievement First Inc: 8 mo reserves · +9% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Achievement First Inc: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Achievement First Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Show this grade on your website
A live seal — it updates automatically when the grade changes and links donors to this verified profile.
Mission
Achievement first, inc. is a non-profit charter schools management organization that operates a network of k-12 public charter schools in connecticut, rhode island, and new york. the network of schools focuses on providing students with the academic and character skills they need to graduate from top colleges, to succeed in a competitive world, and to serve as the next generation of leaders of their communities.
What they do
School grants: to provide assistance to a network of k-12 public charter schools in connecticut, rhode island, and new york. the network of schools focuses on providing students with the academic and character skills they need to graduate from top colleges, to succeed in a competitive world, and to serve as the next generation of leaders of their communities. contributions, gifts, and grants were received by the organization which were used to cover the expenses of these programs.
Improvement of educational experiences related to preparation and success in college, innovation in elementary school design, parent and community engagement and, sharing educational practices with traditional public and other charter schools.
Contact & location
- Address
- 470 James Street Ste 007, New Haven, CT, 06513
- City
- New Haven
- State
- Connecticut
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Elementary & Secondary Schools
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $38.8M (FY2013) to $56.5M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $58.4MNet assets $33.3M
Operating margin
9.5%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$91.7M
Total liabilities
$58.4M
Net assets
$33.3M
Salaries & benefits
$31.9M
62% of expenses
Board members
12
12 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $56,469,410▲34.6% | $51,110,544▼2.8% | $33,345,862▲19.1% | $91,730,615▲109% | 990 |
| 2022 | $41,941,956▼11.9% | $52,573,871▲1.8% | $27,986,996▼27.5% | $43,942,379▼15.9% | 990 |
| 2021 | $47,620,076▼26.1% | $51,627,041▲21.2% | $38,618,911▼9.4% | $52,266,888▼1.0% | 990 |
| 2020 | $64,422,955▲39.8% | $42,587,793▲0.7% | $42,625,876▲105% | $52,811,061▲66.5% | 990 |
| 2019 | $46,067,624▲8.9% | $42,305,981▼9.1% | $20,790,714▲22.1% | $31,723,852▲33.9% | 990 |
| 2018 | $42,314,612▼25.8% | $46,523,899▲5.0% | $17,029,072▼19.8% | $23,684,012▼15.8% | 990 |
| 2017 | $57,013,087▲24.9% | $44,293,373▼0.2% | $21,238,359▲149% | $28,141,162▲57.5% | 990 |
| 2016 | $45,632,684 | $44,360,810▲3.5% | $8,518,645▲17.6% | $17,867,190▲16.7% | 990 |
| 2015 | $45,619,513▲16.0% | $42,867,233▼4.2% | $7,246,771▲61.2% | $15,306,883▼3.0% | 990 |
| 2014 | $39,311,410▲1.4% | $44,731,384▲1.6% | $4,494,491▼54.7% | $15,772,684▼19.1% | 990 |
| 2013 | $38,751,867 | $44,029,144▲38.5% | $9,914,465▼34.7% | $19,499,256▼21.0% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $31,797,875▲18.9% | $15,191,742▲145% | $24,671,793▲34.5% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $26,744,924▲12.7% | $6,198,076▼0.9% | $18,336,799▲25.8% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $23,729,542▲50.8% | $6,252,045▲10.5% | $14,577,250▲33.4% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $15,731,896 | $5,656,564 | $10,930,734 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2023)
Highest-paid: Lisa Margosian — $476,432 (0.93% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Margosian | Ceo | 40 | $476,432 |
| Karolyn Belcher | Superintendent | 40 | $288,627 |
| Blakely Simoneau | General Counsel | 40 | $271,049 |
| Xanthe Jory | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $250,155 |
| John Sharkey | Chief Academic Officer | 40 | $225,905 |
| Charmayne Joseph | Executive-team Regional Superintendent | 40 | $221,841 |
| Andrew Boas | Chair/acting Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Ariela Rozman | Director | 1 | — |
| Carrie Schindele | Director | 1 | — |
| Elizabeth Rose | Director | 1 | — |
| Griselda Rodriguez-solomon | Director | 1 | — |
| Jennifer Mulhern | Director | 1 | — |
| John Motley | Director | 1 | — |
| Katie Ballah | Director | 1 | — |
| K Percy Ballah | Director | 1 | — |
| Neil Shah | Outgoing Outsourced Cfo | 40 | — |
| Omar Mayyasi | Outsourced Cfo | 1 | — |
| Valerie Rockefeller | Director | 1 | — |
| William Buck | Director | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Psquared Consultants LLC | Consulting Services | $290,397 |
| Attuned Education Partners LLC | Consulting Services | $204,223 |
| Cohnreznick LLP | Audit & Tax Services | $196,761 |
| Stacy Gilinson | Consulting Services | $148,680 |
| Mango Strategies LLC | Consulting Services | $144,000 |
Grants received · $51.9M total
116 grants to Achievement First Inc totaling $51.9M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robin Hood Foundation | Poverty relief | 2024 | $1,700,000 |
| Fjc | General operating support | 2024 | $200,000 |
| Charter Fund Inc | Charter school growth | 2024 | $100,000 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | Education | 2024 | $20,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $15,000 |
| Robin Hood Foundation | Poverty relief | 2023 | $1,940,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $1,007,500 |
| National Philanthropic Tr | Education | 2023 | $750,000 |
| Yale University | Charitable contribution and community support | 2023 | $100,000 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2023 | $25,500 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2023 | $8,000 |
| Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation | Support mission | 2023 | $7,500 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | General | 2023 | $7,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2023 | $5,000 |
| Robin Hood Foundation | Poverty relief | 2022 | $2,100,000 |
Grants made · $2.5M in FY2023
5 grants totaling $2.5M in FY2023. All grants made by Achievement First Inc →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Achievement First Rhode Island | To support the general operating expenses of the school. | $1,125,603 |
| Elm City College Preparatory Inc | To support the general operating expenses of the school. | $794,311 |
| Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Inc | To support the general operating expenses of the school. | $467,502 |
| Achievement First Hartford Academy Inc | To support the general operating expenses of the school. | $120,334 |
| Amistad Academy Inc | To support the general operating expenses of the school. | $28,950 |
Similar organizations in Education
Education
Kent School Corporation
Kent, CT
$56.7M
Bannual revenue
Education
Avon Old Farms School Inc
Avon, CT
$53.2M
Bannual revenue
Education
Scus Head Start Programs Inc
Fairfield, CT
$52.2M
Dannual revenue
Education
Albertus Magnus College
New Haven, CT
$62.2M
Bannual revenue
Education
Greens Farms Academy Inc
Greens Farms, CT
$49.7M
Bannual revenue
Education
American School For the Deaf
West Hartford, CT
$48.5M
Bannual revenue
Education
King School Incorporated
Stamford, CT
$48.0M
Bannual revenue
Education
Achievement First Rhode Island
New Haven, CT
$65.4M
Aannual revenue
Education
Goodwin University Inc
East Hartford, CT
$66.6M
B+annual revenue
Education
Trustees of Westminster School Inc
Simsbury, CT
$45.5M
Bannual revenue
Compare Achievement First Inc
Frequently asked questions
- Is Achievement First Inc a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Achievement First Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 65-1203744, based in New Haven, Connecticut. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Achievement First Inc's EIN?
- Achievement First Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 65-1203744.
- How much revenue does Achievement First Inc report?
- Achievement First Inc reported $56,469,410 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Achievement First Inc's spending goes to programs?
- Achievement First Inc spends about 85% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Achievement First Inc have?
- CharityIndex grades Achievement First Inc A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Achievement First Inc's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Achievement First Inc's latest Form 990 is $476,432, paid to Lisa Margosian (Ceo).
More nonprofits in New Haven
Explore more
Data for Achievement First Inc (EIN 65-1203744) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.