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Spark Ventures

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

EIN: 510626562 ✦ Chicago, IL ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Spark Ventures?

Spark Ventures is a nonprofit organization situated in Chicago, Illinois. Their primary mission is to support and uplift vulnerable children, teenagers, and adults in Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and their home city. They accomplish this by providing essential services such as education, food, shelter, healthcare, and emotional support. Additionally, they offer vocational workshops, entrepreneurial opportunities, and job placements for at-risk teenagers and adults. Furthermore, Spark Ventures enhances and expands the effectiveness of partner programs, develops and trains personnel, and executes capital projects using the funds they raise. By providing human resources, strategic guidance, and financial resources, they strengthen and sustain their partners in their endeavors. Overall, Spark Ventures strives to improve the lives of underprivileged individuals and communities around the world.


Official website here: www.sparkventures.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 98%, Four-Star out of Four Stars

Spark Ventures has achieved an impressive Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating a strong performance in accountability and financial health. The organization scored 100% in the Accountability & Finance category, reflecting the effectiveness of its governance practices and financial oversight. Additionally, it has a high program expense ratio of 79.84%, showing a significant commitment to its charitable mission. The organization is notably structured with a fully independent board and has robust policies for conflict of interest, whistleblower protections, and document retention.

User reviews highlight Spark Ventures' impactful partnerships in communities such as Zambia, Nicaragua, and Mexico. Reviewers commend the organization for its mission to empower local leaders and provide sustainable solutions to lift communities out of poverty. The commitment to leadership development and adaptability in response to challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, further showcases its effectiveness and resilience.

While the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, there may be limitations in the reach and scale of their programs compared to larger nonprofits. However, the focus on maintaining a lean organizational structure ensures that donations are effectively utilized, maximizing the impact on the communities they serve. Overall, Spark Ventures is recognized for making meaningful changes in impoverished areas through strong partnerships and community-driven initiatives.


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

Is Spark Ventures legitimate?

Spark Ventures is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Spark Ventures 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: $82,500
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $128,465

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.sparkventures.org

What is the mission statement of Spark Ventures?

Spark Ventures is committed to supporting children living in poverty by providing them with essentials such as education, nutrition, and healthcare. Additionally, the organization offers job opportunities, capacity building, and entrepreneurial chances for teens and adults. Spark Ventures strengthens and sustains its partners by providing them with human resources, strategic guidance, and financial resources. The organization serves approximately 800 vulnerable individuals in Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chicago through programs that offer education, food, shelter, healthcare, and emotional support, as well as vocational workshops, entrepreneurial opportunities, and jobs for vulnerable teens and adults. Funds are also used to enhance and expand the effectiveness of partner programs, develop and train personnel, and execute capital projects.


Official website here: www.sparkventures.org

Who is the CEO of Spark Ventures?

Kristin Schrepferman is the Executive Director of Spark Ventures.


Official website here: www.sparkventures.org

What is the revenue of Spark Ventures?

Spark Ventures's revenue in 2022 was $845,024.


Official website here: www.sparkventures.org

Who are the executives of Spark Ventures and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Spark Ventures during 2022 was $52,741. There are 4 employees and 23 volunteers at Spark Ventures.


Here are 15 key members and their salaries:


Kristin Schrepferman (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $82,500
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Julie Tafel Klaus (Vice Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Michael Campbell (Chairperson)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kathryn Wolf (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Doak Elliott (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Sue Bernstein (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Constance Benrud (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Scott Barbeau (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Lisa Madonia (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jennifer Kim (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Richard Johnson (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Patricia O'Neil (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Daniel Marcus (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Julie Cook (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Vicki Kraft (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.sparkventures.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Spark Ventures?

Spark Ventures's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.sparkventures.org

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

Mission Statement of Spark Ventures

Spark Ventures, an organization dedicated to making a difference, strives to uplift children living in poverty by providing them with essentials such as education, nutrition, and healthcare. The mission of Spark Ventures extends beyond just children, as it also offers job opportunities, capacity building, and entrepreneurial chances for teenagers and adults. This organization is committed to strengthening and sustaining its partners by providing them with human resources, strategic guidance, and financial resources.

Through various programs, Spark Ventures assists approximately 800 vulnerable children, teens, and adults in Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chicago. These programs cater to the children's educational, nutritional, and healthcare needs, providing them with shelter, food, medical care, and emotional support. Furthermore, Spark Ventures offers vocational workshops and entrepreneurial opportunities to empower vulnerable teenagers and adults, helping them secure jobs and build their capacities.

In addition to direct aid, Spark Ventures also invests in its partners' programs, enhancing their effectiveness by developing and training personnel, as well as executing capital projects. This holistic approach ensures that the organization's impact reaches beyond immediate assistance, fostering long-term growth and sustainability.

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Impact




July, 2024

Spark Ventures creates sustainable impact by providing education, healthcare, nutrition, and job opportunities to vulnerable children, teens, and adults in Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chicago. Through their programs, they support about 800 individuals, offering essential services like education, shelter, health care, emotional support, as well as vocational workshops and entrepreneurial opportunities. By investing in partner programs, personnel development, and capital projects, Spark Ventures strengthens communities and empowers individuals to break the cycle of poverty.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Spark Ventures. 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
$845,024 (2022)
Expenses
$856,923 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

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

  • Investment Income: $67
  • Program Service Revenue: $111,822
  • Gross Receipts: $941,392

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $537,126
  • Total Liabilities: $16,502
  • Net Assets: $520,624

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Programs

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

PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE

Revenue

$111,822

Organization Details

Founding Year

2007

Principal Officer

Kristin Schrepferman

Main Address

208 S LASALLE, CHICAGO, IL, 60604

NTEE Category

Code: Q33 - International

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