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The Beginning Project

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

EIN: 680455188 ✦ Ukiah, CA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is The Beginning Project?

The Beginning Project Dba Tree Of Life Charter School is a nonprofit institution located in Ukiah, California. Adhering to the Montessori philosophy, the school groups children by their developmental levels instead of grades, fostering an environment where children of varying ages learn and grow together. The school operates as a public charter school, serving students from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to 6th grade. By employing the Montessori approach, the school aims to cultivate self-confident, creative, and productive future citizens, fostering a collaborative learning environment among students, teachers, and the community. The school, with a staff of 22 individuals, provides a nurturing environment that allows teachers to develop a deep understanding of each student's strengths, challenges, and interests over an approximately three-year period.


Official website here: www.treeoflifeschool.net

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 88% (Three-Star out of Four Stars)

The Beginning Project Dba Tree Of Life Charter School has earned an 88% rating from Charity Navigator, indicating a solid level of accountability and finance management. This score is based solely on the Accountability & Finance beacon, which reflects the organization’s strong governance practices, including a fully independent board and comprehensive financial audits.

The organization has demonstrated high accountability by meeting all necessary criteria, such as having no material diversion of assets and a robust program expense ratio of 77.27%. These metrics suggest that a significant portion of its resources is directed towards program activities, which is essential for fulfilling its mission effectively.

However, it is worth noting that the school is missing a whistleblower policy and a document retention and destruction policy, which could be areas for improvement. Despite these minor gaps, the overall financial health and governance of The Beginning Project Dba Tree Of Life Charter School appear to be strong, positioning it well within the nonprofit sector.


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

Is The Beginning Project legitimate?

The Beginning Project is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. The Beginning Project 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: $85,925
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $502,038

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.treeoflifeschool.net

What is the mission statement of The Beginning Project?

The Beginning Project Dba Tree Of Life Charter School's mission, utilizing the Montessori philosophy, is to foster confident, creative, and productive citizens. They aim to achieve this by working collaboratively with children, school staff, the community, and each other. The school's approach involves grouping children by their developmental levels, rather than grades, allowing for a more in-depth understanding of their strengths, challenges, and interests. The multi-age classroom environments provide opportunities for students to work at their individual levels of challenge and develop self-confidence by assuming teaching and leadership roles within their community.


Official website here: www.treeoflifeschool.net

Who is the CEO of The Beginning Project?

Board is the Principal Officer of The Beginning Project.


Official website here: www.treeoflifeschool.net

What is the revenue of The Beginning Project?

The Beginning Project's revenue in 2022 was $1,235,117.


Official website here: www.treeoflifeschool.net

Who are the executives of The Beginning Project and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at The Beginning Project during 2022 was $26,726. There are 22 employees and 4 volunteers at The Beginning Project.


Here are 5 key members and their salaries:


David Smith-Ferri (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Ben Milder (Vice President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Tom Milder (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Tai Milder (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Stacy Strauss (Principal)
  • Compensation: $71,190
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $18,672


Official website here: www.treeoflifeschool.net

Where can I find the form 990 for The Beginning Project?

The Beginning Project's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.treeoflifeschool.net

Learn more at the official website: www.treeoflifeschool.net

Mission Statement of The Beginning Project

The Beginning Project Dba Tree Of Life Charter School, utilizing the Montessori philosophy, is committed to fostering confident, creative, and productive citizens. By grouping children based on their developmental levels rather than grade levels, the school allows for a more in-depth understanding of each student's strengths, challenges, and interests. The multi-age classroom environments offer opportunities for students to work at their unique levels of challenge, providing them with the chance to master skills and build self-confidence through leadership roles within their classroom communities. The school's approach to education is collaborative, involving children, teachers, staff, and the community in the learning process, aiming to create a world that benefits from each individual's full potential.

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Impact




July, 2024

The Beginning Project Dba Tree Of Life Charter School has a significant impact on education in the city of Ukiah, California. By operating as a public charter school serving grades TK to 6 and utilizing the Montessori philosophy, the school provides a unique learning environment where children are grouped by developmental levels rather than by grade levels. This approach allows students to work at their unique levels of challenge and develop self-confidence by becoming teachers and leaders in their classroom community.

The multi-age classroom environments at The Beginning Project Dba Tree Of Life Charter School offer students the opportunity to master skills and develop in-depth relationships with their guides, fostering a more personalized learning experience. Through the Montessori philosophy, the school aims to develop confident, creative, and fruitful citizens who contribute positively to the world around them.

Overall, The Beginning Project Dba Tree Of Life Charter School's impact can be seen in its commitment to providing a holistic and individualized education that empowers students to reach their full potential and become valuable members of their community.




This information is meant to be a general summary of The Beginning Project. 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
$1,235,117 (2022)
Expenses
$1,065,647 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

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

  • Investment Income: $1,907
  • Program Service Revenue: $51,716
  • Gross Receipts: $1,235,117

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $819,732
  • Total Liabilities: $60,681
  • Net Assets: $759,051

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Programs

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

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Revenue

$51,716

Organization Details

Founding Year

1999

Principal Officer

Board

Main Address

PO BOX 966, UKIAH, CA, 95482

NTEE Category

Code: B29 - Education

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