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Touchstones Discussion Project Inc

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

EIN: 522009938 ✦ Stevensville, MD ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Touchstones Discussion Project Inc?

Touchstones Discussion Project Inc is a nonprofit organization based in Stevensville, Maryland. Their primary focus is on enhancing critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills through discussion-based programs in various settings such as schools, senior centers, prisons, and executive groups. The organization has expanded its reach through grants, workshops, and educational conferences, engaging over 8,000 new students in 26 schools and more than 19,000 students in Canada. They offer teacher training, instructional support, and digital contracts to educators, reaching over 900 new students in higher education. Touchstones also provides scholarships to educators and volunteers to bring inclusive discussions to their communities, regardless of financial or geographic limitations. Additionally, they launched an eight-session professional development program for educators and replicated it for a new cohort in 2022.


Official website here: www.touchstones.org

Is Touchstones Discussion Project Inc legitimate?

Touchstones Discussion Project Inc is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Touchstones Discussion Project 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: $105,346
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $142,653

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.touchstones.org

What is the mission statement of Touchstones Discussion Project Inc?

Touchstones Discussion Project Inc's mission is centered around fostering critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills among individuals. They achieve this through engaging and respectful dialogue-based programs, which they offer both domestically and internationally. The organization focuses on K-12 school programming, teacher professional development, youth workforce development, educational conferences, and enrichment and after-school programs. Touchstones aims to promote inclusive discussions, providing educators and learners with strategies to lead effective dialogues and assess their progress over time. They also offer coaching and support to enhance instructional and leadership capacities, empowering educators to become more confident and skilled leaders.


Official website here: www.touchstones.org

Who is the CEO of Touchstones Discussion Project Inc?

Stefanie Takacs Msed is the Chair of Touchstones Discussion Project Inc.


Official website here: www.touchstones.org

What is the revenue of Touchstones Discussion Project Inc?

Touchstones Discussion Project Inc's revenue in 2022 was $397,177.


Official website here: www.touchstones.org

Who are the executives of Touchstones Discussion Project Inc and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Touchstones Discussion Project Inc during 2022 was $31,000. There are 8 employees and 55 volunteers at Touchstones Discussion Project Inc.


Here are 11 key members and their salaries:


Debra Valentine (Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Gregg Steinberg (Vice-Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kurt Redfield (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Greg Hodges (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Stefanie Takacs Msed (Executive Di)
  • Compensation: $85,846
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Howard Zeiderman (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $19,500
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Nicholas Maistrellis (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Laurie De Grazia (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Garreth Heidt (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Ford Rowan (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Noelle Richmond (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.touchstones.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Touchstones Discussion Project Inc?

Touchstones Discussion Project Inc's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.touchstones.org

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

Mission Statement of Touchstones Discussion Project Inc

Touchstones Discussion Project Inc, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to fostering critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills in individuals through engaging and respectful dialogue-based programs. Their primary focus lies in addressing gaps in education, particularly in K-12 schools, by teaching educators and students how to facilitate structured discussions that stimulate thought and build collaboration and leadership. Touchstones' programs are implemented in various settings, including schools, prisons, senior centers, and with executive groups. The organization strives to empower learners of all ages, helping them develop essential skills that are essential in today's complex world.

In pursuit of its mission, Touchstones conducts a wide range of activities, such as providing enrichment and after-school programs, conducting teacher professional development, and expanding programming and services in schools. They have successfully expanded their presence in schools and communities by introducing their discussion programs to new schools and educators. Touchstones also offers digital programs for higher education and provides instructional support and coaching to educators, helping them improve their instructional and leadership capacities. The organization's interactive training experiences enable teachers to lead inclusive discussions, develop strategies for continuous development in discussion leadership, and identify and devise solutions to issues in discussion dynamics. Through their programs, Touchstones helps educators and learners become more skilled and confident in their roles, fostering a more inclusive and constructive communication environment.

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Impact




October, 2024

Touchstones Discussion Project Inc significantly enhances critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills among students and educators through structured dialogue and discussion-based programs. By focusing on K-12 education, it addresses gaps in traditional teaching methods, fostering environments where respectful engagement and collaboration thrive.

The programs implemented by Touchstones are diverse and adaptive, reaching a variety of participants including students in schools, individuals in correctional facilities, seniors at community centers, and veterans. This versatility is evident in its extensive reach: in 2022 alone, Touchstones expanded its services to new schools in Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, Delaware, impacting over 8,100 students. Its collaboration with educational bodies, such as the Bureau de l'Éducation Française in Manitoba, Canada, further exemplifies its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility by providing digital resources in multiple languages.

Touchstones also prioritizes professional development for educators. Through workshops and intensive training programs, teachers gain hands-on experience and practical tools for leading inclusive discussions. Notably, many of these workshops are offered at little to no cost to participants, ensuring that a broader range of educators can access this essential training regardless of financial constraints. As a result, teachers report increases in their confidence and effectiveness as leaders both within and beyond the classroom.

The organization has also invested in expanding its programs into higher education, reaching new students and enhancing discussion methods in introductory courses. This initiative reflects a commitment to cultivating critical thinking skills across all educational levels.

Family engagement initiatives, such as the pilot program developed for a diverse charter school in Jersey City, NJ, showcase Touchstones' ability to adapt its approach to meet the unique needs of various communities. Through these programs, families are invited to participate in discussions that build cooperation and trust, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in the educational process.

Overall, Touchstones Discussion Project Inc fosters an ecosystem of engaged learning, where individuals are not only encouraged to think critically but are also trained to articulate and communicate their thoughts respectfully, enhancing educational experiences across multiple demographics and settings.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Touchstones Discussion Project 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
$397,177 (2022)
Expenses
$452,905 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

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

  • Investment Income: $4,631
  • Program Service Revenue: $119,226
  • Gross Receipts: $492,153

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $711,054
  • Total Liabilities: $235,533
  • Net Assets: $475,521

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Programs

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

BOOK SALES

Revenue

$98,981

WORKSHOPS AND COACHING

Revenue

$19,445

CONTRACTS

Revenue

$800

Organization Details

Founding Year

1996

Principal Officer

Stefanie Takacs Msed

Main Address

143 LOG CANOE CIRCLE, STEVENSVILLE, MD, 21666

NTEE Category

Code: B20 - Education

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