Overview
What is Merit America?
Merit America is a national career development nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C. Their mission is to create opportunities for Americans who are stuck in low-wage jobs, enabling them to access family-sustaining careers. Through fast and flexible solutions, Merit America empowers working adults by providing them with necessary skills and support. They collaborate with industry partners and employers for successful placements into in-demand, high-paying careers. In 2022, the organization exceeded its goal of serving 3,600 learners, achieving an average wage gain of $18,700 for alumni three months after completing the program. Merit America has also secured significant funding and partnerships, expanding its team and operations to serve more learners and foster diversity and inclusivity within the organization.
Official website here: www.meritamerica.org/
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: 91% (Four-Star out of Four Stars)
Merit America has received a commendable Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating strong performance in accountability and finance. The organization's high score of 91% reflects its diligent financial practices, including a high program expense ratio of 89.57% and effective fundraising efficiency. Key governance elements, such as having a fully independent board and robust oversight mechanisms, are also notable strengths.
However, there are areas for improvement, particularly the absence of a whistleblower policy, which has affected its overall score in governance. Additionally, while the organization has a solid liabilities to assets ratio of 42.59%, this could be monitored closely to ensure ongoing financial health. Overall, Merit America demonstrates a strong commitment to transparency and effective use of resources, making it a promising choice for donors.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
What do the Facebook reviews say about Merit America?
50% of 13 reviewers on Facebook recommend Merit America. Here is a summary of their reviews:
Some participants found the program to be beneficial, highlighting how it has helped them enhance IT skills and professional development. One individual shared a positive outcome, stating they secured a System Administrator position shortly after completing the program, which led to a higher salary.
However, the mixed recommendation rate suggests that experiences may vary, and some may not have had similarly positive results. Overall, while there are success stories indicative of potential benefits, opinions about the program's effectiveness are divided.
This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.
Is Merit America legitimate?
Merit America is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Merit America 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: $1,261,543
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $9,631,563
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.meritamerica.org/
What is the mission statement of Merit America?
Merit America is a nonprofit dedicated to creating career development paths for millions of Americans without college degrees. Its mission is to empower working adults by providing them with the necessary skills and support to pursue in-demand, high-paying careers. Through collaborations with industry partners and employers, Merit America ensures successful placements into upwardly mobile careers. The organization aims to drive $1 billion in projected cumulative wage gains by 2025, connecting talented learners to in-demand career paths at scale. In 2022, Merit America served over 3,600 learners, surpassing its goal, and reported substantial wage gains for its alumni. These achievements validate the organization's effective approach in providing sustainable economic mobility.
Official website here: www.meritamerica.org/
Who is the CEO of Merit America?
Rebecca Taber Staehelin is the Co-Founder And Co-Ceo of Merit America. The CEO's salary of Merit America is $330,887 and their total compensation is $374,027.
Official website here: www.meritamerica.org/
What is the revenue of Merit America?
Merit America's revenue in 2022 was $28,420,779.
Official website here: www.meritamerica.org/
Who are the executives of Merit America and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Merit America during 2022 was $62,966. There are 173 employees and 7 volunteers at Merit America.
Here are 16 key members and their salaries (Merit America's CEO's salary is $330,887 and their total compensation is $374,027):
- Compensation: $320,476
- Related: $0
- Other: $63,831
- Compensation: $330,887
- Related: $0
- Other: $43,140
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $236,814
- Related: $0
- Other: $78,536
- Compensation: $169,599
- Related: $0
- Other: $18,261
- Compensation: $219,842
- Related: $0
- Other: $44,457
- Compensation: $187,641
- Related: $0
- Other: $75,714
- Compensation: $197,733
- Related: $0
- Other: $26,570
- Compensation: $206,690
- Related: $0
- Other: $4,958
- Compensation: $184,930
- Related: $0
- Other: $13,952
Official website here: www.meritamerica.org/
Where can I find the form 990 for Merit America?
Merit America's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.meritamerica.org/
Learn more at the official website: www.meritamerica.org/
Mission Statement of Merit America
Merit America, a national career development nonprofit, is dedicated to creating pathways to skilled careers for the millions of Americans who lack college degrees. This organization empowers working adults by equipping them with the necessary skills and support to pursue in-demand, high-paying careers. Through collaboration with industry partners and employers, Merit America ensures successful placements into upwardly mobile careers. By the end of 2025, Merit America aims to drive $1 billion in projected cumulative wage gains, connecting talented learners to in-demand career paths at scale.
In 2022, Merit America made substantial progress towards its organizational goals. The number of learners served experienced significant growth, with the organization aiming to launch cohorts for 2,500 learners but ultimately surpassing this target by serving 3,600 individuals. This represented threefold annual growth and a 146% increase in the number of learners served compared to the previous year. Third-party analysis conducted by the University of Virginia found that Merit America alumni experienced an average annual wage gain of $18,700 three or more months after completing the program. Over 80% of alumni reported positive wage gains at least three months after completion, with an average pre-program salary of $24,000 and an average post-program salary of $50,000 per year, resulting in an average wage gain of $26,000. These findings validate the effectiveness of Merit America's approach in providing sustainable economic mobility.
Merit America's estimated projected cumulative wage gains for learners served through 2022 totaled approximately $340 million, surpassing expectations and positioning the organization ahead of schedule towards its goal of driving $1 billion in projected cumulative wage gains by the end of 2025. The organization also secured $17.85 million in philanthropic funding in 2022 and became the inaugural partner of the Google Career Certificates Fund, a $100 million initiative launched in collaboration with Google CEO Sundar Pichai. This partnership strengthens Merit America's sustainability, enables the program to scale to serve many more learners, and affirms the recognition of its impactful work.
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Impact
October, 2024
Merit America substantially impacts the lives of working adults by creating accessible pathways to skilled careers for individuals without college degrees. By providing fast and flexible training solutions, the organization empowers these individuals to acquire the in-demand skills necessary for high-paying jobs. In 2022 alone, Merit America exceeded its goals by serving 3,600 learners, demonstrating a threefold annual growth and reaching 146% of its target.
The measurable outcomes of their efforts are significant. A third-party analysis revealed that alumni experienced an average annual wage gain of $18.7K just three months after completing the program, with many reporting an average increase from $24K to $50K in their annual salaries—a substantial gain that validates the effectiveness of Merit America's approach.
Financially, Merit America has achieved impressive milestones, estimating approximately $340 million in cumulative wage gains for their learners as of 2022, positioning them favorably toward their ambitious goal of $1 billion by 2025. This growth is supported by robust philanthropic efforts, including a notable partnership with the Google Career Certificates Fund, which enhances their capacity to serve even more learners.
Furthermore, the organization has expanded its team significantly, fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, which is reflected in its recognition as a "Great Place to Work." Overall, Merit America's concerted efforts not only facilitate economic mobility for many individuals but also contribute to reshaping the landscape of workforce development in the United States.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Merit America. 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.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Investment Income: $650
- Program Service Revenue: $8,753,249
- Gross Receipts: $28,420,779
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $23,949,600
- Total Liabilities: $10,202,191
- Net Assets: $13,747,409
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
TUITION REPAYMENT/PLACEMENT FEES
Revenue
$8,753,249
Organization Details
Founding Year
2019
Phone
(914) 310-3148Principal Officer
Rebecca Taber Staehelin
Main Address
712 H STREET NE SUITE 1560, WASHINGTON, DC, 20002
Website
www.meritamerica.org/NTEE Category
Code: P12 - Human services
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