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Spirit Series Inc

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 203799463 ✦ Los angeles, CA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Spirit Series Inc?

Spirit Series Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering story-based literacy, positive values, and social-emotional learning programs to students in grades four through ten. During the 2021-22 school year, they served 2072 students across California and Maine, marking an 87% increase from the previous year. Their offerings include in-school programming for grades four to seven, as well as an online self-discovery curriculum for grades seven to ten. Despite a partial return to pre-pandemic conditions, program delivery was only 61% of the 3-year average due to various challenges such as uncertainty from administrators, teacher burnout, high absenteeism, and budget constraints. Additionally, an estimated 5595 students and adults benefited from Spirit Series performances and discussions, while 48 educators were trained in the organization's teaching techniques. They also received $105,407 in in-kind services, including volunteer mentoring from 27 adults. The mission of Spirit Series Inc is to provide core literacy and values education to pre-teens and adolescents in public and charter schools.


Official website here: www.spirtseries.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator rating: 81% (Three-Star out of Four Star rating)

Spirit Series Inc has earned a solid Three-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating that it performs well in terms of accountability and finance. The organization demonstrates strong governance practices with 83% of its board members being independent, and it maintains a healthy liabilities-to-assets ratio of 22.62%. Additionally, the charity has a high program expense ratio of 82.18%, suggesting that a significant majority of its funds are directed towards its programs.

The charity has established comprehensive policies, including conflict of interest and whistleblower policies, which are positively viewed by evaluators. Its transparency is further enhanced by the availability of board meeting minutes and the listing of its website on tax forms, reflecting a commitment to accountability. These strengths contribute to a trustworthy reputation among donors and stakeholders.

Despite its strengths, the overall rating of 81% suggests there is room for improvement. While the organization shows no material diversion of assets, continued efforts in enhancing financial efficiency and possibly increasing its program impact could help elevate its standing further.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

Is Spirit Series Inc legitimate?

Spirit Series Inc is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Spirit Series Inc submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $117,000
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $285,000

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.spirtseries.org

What is the mission statement of Spirit Series Inc?

Spirit Series Inc is committed to providing core literacy and values education to pre-teens and adolescents in public and charter schools. Their mission is to deliver story-based literacy, positive values, and social-emotional learning programs to enhance the learning experience and personal growth of these students. During the 2021-22 school year, they served over 2000 students in California and Maine, with their programs partially returning to in-school delivery. Despite challenges due to administrative uncertainty, teacher burnout, high levels of student absenteeism, and budget constraints, they also offered their programs online and performed play performances and summary discussions for additional students and adults. Additionally, they provided professional development for educators to engage, empower, and inspire underserved students.


Official website here: www.spirtseries.org

Who is the CEO of Spirit Series Inc?

Richard Strauss is the Executive Dir. of Spirit Series Inc.


Official website here: www.spirtseries.org

What is the revenue of Spirit Series Inc?

Spirit Series Inc's revenue in 2022 was $824,575.


Official website here: www.spirtseries.org

Who are the executives of Spirit Series Inc and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Spirit Series Inc during 2022 was $44,667. There are 9 employees and 37 volunteers at Spirit Series Inc.


Here are 12 key members and their salaries:


Richard Strauss (Executive Dir.)
  • Compensation: $72,000
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Leslie Rachel Strauss (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $45,000
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Steven Savage (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Matthew Burke (Board Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Fu-Ding Cheng (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jennifer Mansfield Jeon (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
John Mcpherson (Chairman)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Norman Kaderlan (Vice Chairman)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Joanna Zuniga (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
William Fay (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Brenda Rodriguez (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jocelyn Handy (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.spirtseries.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Spirit Series Inc?

Spirit Series Inc's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.spirtseries.org

Learn more at the official website: www.spirtseries.org

Mission Statement of Spirit Series Inc

Spirit Series Inc is dedicated to providing core literacy and values education to pre-teens and adolescents in public and charter schools. This nonprofit organization aims to serve these students through a suite of story-based literacy, positive values, and social-emotional learning programs. During the 2021-22 school year, Spirit Series Inc reached out to 2072 students in grades four to ten across 89 classrooms in California and Maine. Their legacy drama-based programming, Spirit Series, was delivered in-school for the first time since March 2020, serving 1532 students in grades four to seven. Additionally, SpiritScorps, their self-discovery video storytelling curriculum for grades seven to ten, was delivered online to 535 students. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Spirit Series Inc managed to serve a significant number of students, with an 87% increase in the total number of students served compared to the previous year. However, program delivery in 2021-22 was only 61% of their 3-year pre-pandemic average due to various factors such as administrators' uncertainty, teacher burnout, high levels of student absenteeism, and budget constraints. Despite these challenges, Spirit Series Inc continued to make a positive impact in the lives of students by offering play performances, summary discussions, and SpiritCorps story finales, which celebrated courage, conscience, or gratitude. Furthermore, they provided professional development opportunities to 48 additional educators, helping them engage, empower, and inspire underserved students. The organization also benefited from $105,407 of in-kind services, including SpiritCorps story coach student mentoring from 27 adult volunteers.

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Impact




October, 2024

Spirit Series Inc significantly impacts pre-teens and adolescents by providing core literacy and values education through engaging story-based programs in public and charter schools. During the 2021-22 school year, the organization reached 2,072 fourth to tenth grade students across 89 classrooms in California and Maine.

The Spirit Series program, which focuses on drama-based learning, was successfully implemented in schools, serving 1,532 students in grades four to seven. Meanwhile, the SpiritCorps program, aimed at students in grades seven to ten, utilized an online platform to engage 535 students, highlighting the adaptability of the curriculum during challenging times.

Despite facing challenges such as teacher burnout, student absenteeism, and budget constraints, Spirit Series demonstrated resilience, achieving an 87% increase in the total number of students served compared to the previous year, although this was still below pre-pandemic levels.

Additionally, 5,595 students and adults from the 29 school communities participated in performances, discussions, and video storytelling finales, further extending the program's reach and influence. The professional development component, SpiritWorks, enabled 48 educators to learn acclaimed teaching techniques aimed at engaging and inspiring underserved students.

Overall, the organization contributes to the educational landscape by cultivating literacy, positive values, and social-emotional learning, empowering the next generation through innovative, story-based approaches.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Spirit Series Inc. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$824,575 (2022)
Expenses
$761,971 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Program Service Revenue: $219,032
  • Gross Receipts: $824,575

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $801,925
  • Total Liabilities: $181,449
  • Net Assets: $620,476

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

SCHOOL PARTICIPATION

Revenue

$219,032

Organization Details

Founding Year

2005

Principal Officer

Richard Strauss

Main Address

C/O WHEELER BI 1990 S BUNDY DR 510, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90025

NTEE Category

Code: A33 - Arts

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