2025-07-15T16:41:49-04:00 2024-08-31 854152564 RCS CPAS PLLC 4415 HARRISON ST SUITE 552 HILLSIDE IL 60162 990 2023-09-01 364305660 PROJECT EXPLORATION PROJ 3122734026 4511 SOUTH EVANS CHICAGO IL 60653 NATASHA SMITH-WALKER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 7738347614 2025-06-26 true false MOHAMMAD SHEIKH P02150743 7084829488 2025-07-15 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z NATASHA SMITH-WALKER 4511 SOUTH EVANS CHICAGO IL 60653 2069266 false X PROJECTEXPLORATION.ORG X 1999 IL PROJECT EXPLORATION CREATES TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE SCIENCES -- PARTICULARLY STUDENTS OF COLOR AND GIRLS -- BY EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE SKILLS, PRACTICES, AND MINDSET NEEDED FOR A LIFELONG PURSUIT OF LEARNING. 11 11 21 20 0 1171553 1981805 101616 87419 103 42 0 1273272 2069266 0 0 738961 908747 0 185392 736094 985576 1475055 1894323 -201783 174943 396681 523374 224083 175833 172598 347541 X PROJECT EXPLORATION CREATES TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE SCIENCES -- PARTICULARLY STUDENTS OF COLOR AND GIRLS -- BY EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE SKILLS, PRACTICES, AND MINDSET NEEDED FOR A LIFELONG PURSUIT OF LEARNING. false false 1057598 YOUTH-SCIENCE PATHWAY PROGRAMS (DIRECT SERVICE) PROJECT EXPLORATION'S YOUTH-SCIENCE PATHWAY (YSP) PROGRAMS PROVIDE DIRECT STEM LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO UNDERREPRESENTED YOUTH IN GRADES K-12. THROUGH MULTI-PHASE ENGAGEMENT-LAUNCH, DISCOVER, EXPLORE, AND PURSUE-STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON SCIENCE ACTIVITIES, WORK WITH STEM MENTORS, AND EXPLORE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH CAREERS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES THAT BUILD CONFIDENCE, SKILLS, AND LONG-TERM INTEREST IN STEM. 211519 STEM ECOSYSTEM - CHICAGO STEM PATHWAYS COOPERATIVE PROJECT EXPLORATION SERVES AS THE BACKBONE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHICAGO STEM PATHWAYS COOPERATIVE. THIS CITYWIDE INITIATIVE CONVENES YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS, EDUCATORS, FUNDERS, AND POLICYMAKERS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. THE COOPERATIVE FOSTERS CROSS- SECTOR COLLABORATION, SUPPORTS SHARED DATA PRACTICES, AND INFORMS CITYWIDE PLANNING TO ENSURE COMMUNITY STEM EQUITY. IT ADVANCES A VISION OF A MORE INCLUSIVE STEM ECOSYSTEM THROUGH CONVENINGS, RESEARCH, AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES. 141013 COMMUNITY ECOSYSTEM - THE AUSTIN EXPERIENCE / MY CHI. MY FUTURE. PROJECT EXPLORATION LEADS PLACE-BASED STEM ECOSYSTEM WORK IN CHICAGO'S AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE THE AUSTIN EXPERIENCE AND MY CHI. MY FUTURE. THESE EFFORTS FOSTER SAFE, CONNECTED COMMUNITIES WHERE YOUTH AND FAMILIES ACCESS OUT-OF-SCHOOL-TIME STEM OPPORTUNITIES. BY PARTNERING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND YOUTH LEADERS, THE PROGRAM BUILDS COMMUNITY TRUST, SUPPORTS YOUTH VOICE, AND ALIGNS RESOURCES TO PROMOTE WELLNESS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND LONG-TERM ENGAGEMENT IN STEM. SPRING BREAK SCIENCE CAMP THIS WEEKLONG PROGRAM IMMERSES PE STUDENTS IN THE EXPERTISE AND CULTURE OF A STEM-BASED COMPANY OR INSTITUTION. PAST PARTNERS HAVE INCLUDED: TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES, WHICH LED ACTIVITIES IN CODING AND ROBOTICS; AND MOTOROLA MOBILITY, WHICH PAIRED GIRLS FROM S4S WITH A DIVERSE GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL WOMEN. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVENTURERS (EA) EA IS AIMED AT ENGAGING DIVERSE, URBAN YOUTH IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, BIOLOGY, ANATOMY, AND ZOOLOGY SUBJECTS TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN RESEARCH IN A MEANINGFUL AND HANDS-ON WAY. THE PARTICIPANTS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM WILL DO REAL SCIENTIFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORK WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS WHILE LEARNING HOW TO DEVELOP A RESEARCH QUESTION TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS - SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STEM PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS AT THEIR HOME SCHOOL. PROJECT EXPLORATION HAS IDENTIFIED COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE WEST AND NEAR WEST SIDE, FAR SOUTH, SOUTH, AND SOUTHWEST SIDE OF CHICAGO AS PROGRAM SERVICE AREAS. THESE COMMUNITIES REFLECT AREAS THAT HAVE LIMITED TO NO ROBUST STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. PE PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS OR WORKS DIRECTLY WITH CPS TO DETERMINE WHICH SCHOOLS TO SERVE. PE COLLABORATES WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS TO DETERMINE WHICH PROGRAMS TO OFFER. PLACE-BASED PROGRAMS - PLACE-BASED PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STEM PROGRAMMING WITHIN A GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND SERVE AS A COMMUNITY STEM HUB. PROJECT EXPLORATION HAS TWO PLACE-BASED LOCATIONS. THE WEST SIDE STEM LEARNING CENTERS AT THE GEORGE LELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPUS WAS LAUNCHED IN 2017. IN 2021, PE LAUNCHED A SECOND PARTNERSHIP WITH BETHEL NEW LIFE TO CREATE ANOTHER PLACE-BASED STEM LEARNING CENTER. EACH AIMS TO AMPLIFY THE VALUE OF STEM LEARNING IN THE COMMUNITY, STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY COHESION THROUGH FAMILY PROGRAMMING, AND BRING CITYWIDE STEM RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. 1410130 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false true true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 72 0 21 false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 11 11 false false false false false false false true true false false false true true true true true true false false IL X NATASHA SMITH-WALKER 3122734026 4511 S EVANS STREET CHICAGO IL 60653 JUDY LUBIN CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 BRYAN HUNT VICE-CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 RENEE SCHOENBERG SECRETARY 1.00 X 0 0 0 NICOLE WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SARAH HOUBERG DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 NARASIMHA RAJU NAGUBHAI DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DEBORAH WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 HENRY CRAAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KATHERINE ACLES DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRIGITTE BOKEMEIER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 NATASHA SMITH-WALKER EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 119100 0 0 119100 1 false false false 1552894 428911 1981805 PROGRAM SERVICES 87419 87419 87419 42 42 2069266 87419 42 244544 153095 65688 25761 574953 461528 57236 56189 9379 7034 1407 938 79871 59903 11981 7987 9633 9633 50106 6088 39621 4397 21200 21200 57808 46246 5781 5781 31883 31883 22484 17987 2249 2248 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 309205 278285 30920 EVENTS 119606 47842 71764 HONORARIUMS 116854 116854 PROGRAM EXPENSES 88551 88551 158246 105517 42402 10327 1894323 1410130 298801 185392 22248 88492 742 326731 419805 177093 160217 46960 15077 396681 523374 24083 25833 200000 150000 224083 175833 X -152402 347541 325000 172598 347541 396681 523374 174943 X false false X 918950 1096797 1176691 1171553 1981805 6345796 918950 1096797 1176691 1171553 1981805 6345796 1280382 5065414 20 21 44 103 42 230 6346026 741601 0.79820 0.71350 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 159408 142532 16876 17685 17685 16876 PAYROLL PROTECTION ADVANCE 150000 150000 X 2360931 291665 291665 2069266 2069266 2185988 291665 291665 1894323 1894323 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X PROJECT EXPLORATION IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. THERE WAS NO UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME NOR UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2024. EACH OF THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIOR THREE YEARS REMAINS SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. THE ORGANIZATION HAS EVALUATED ITS TAX POSITIONS FOR ALL OPEN TAX YEARS. BASED ON THE EVALUATION OF THE ORGANIZATION 'S TAX POSITIONS, MANAGEMENT BELIEVES ALL TAX POSITIONS TAKEN WOULD BE UPHELD UNDER AN EXAMINATION. THEREFORE, NO PROVISION FOR THE EFFECTS OF UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS HAS BEEN RECORDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2024. FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION PROJECT EXPLORATION CREATES TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE SCIENCES -- PARTICULARLY STUDENTS OF COLOR AND GIRLS -- BY EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE SKILLS, PRACTICES, AND MINDSET NEEDED FOR A LIFELONG PURSUIT OF LEARNING. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D SPRING BREAK SCIENCE CAMP THIS WEEKLONG PROGRAM IMMERSES PE STUDENTS IN THE EXPERTISE AND CULTURE OF A STEM-BASED COMPANY OR INSTITUTION. PAST PARTNERS HAVE INCLUDED: TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES, WHICH LED ACTIVITIES IN CODING AND ROBOTICS; AND MOTOROLA MOBILITY, WHICH PAIRED GIRLS FROM S4S WITH A DIVERSE GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL WOMEN. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVENTURERS (EA) EA IS AIMED AT ENGAGING DIVERSE, URBAN YOUTH IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, BIOLOGY, ANATOMY, AND ZOOLOGY SUBJECTS TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN RESEARCH IN A MEANINGFUL AND HANDS-ON WAY. THE PARTICIPANTS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM WILL DO REAL SCIENTIFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORK WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS WHILE LEARNING HOW TO DEVELOP A RESEARCH QUESTION TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS - SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STEM PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS AT THEIR HOME SCHOOL. PROJECT EXPLORATION HAS IDENTIFIED COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE WEST AND NEAR WEST SIDE, FAR SOUTH, SOUTH, AND SOUTHWEST SIDE OF CHICAGO AS PROGRAM SERVICE AREAS. THESE COMMUNITIES REFLECT AREAS THAT HAVE LIMITED TO NO ROBUST STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. PE PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS OR WORKS DIRECTLY WITH CPS TO DETERMINE WHICH SCHOOLS TO SERVE. PE COLLABORATES WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS TO DETERMINE WHICH PROGRAMS TO OFFER. PLACE-BASED PROGRAMS - PLACE-BASED PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STEM PROGRAMMING WITHIN A GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND SERVE AS A COMMUNITY STEM HUB. PROJECT EXPLORATION HAS TWO PLACE-BASED LOCATIONS. THE WEST SIDE STEM LEARNING CENTERS AT THE GEORGE LELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPUS WAS LAUNCHED IN 2017. IN 2021, PE LAUNCHED A SECOND PARTNERSHIP WITH BETHEL NEW LIFE TO CREATE ANOTHER PLACE-BASED STEM LEARNING CENTER. EACH AIMS TO AMPLIFY THE VALUE OF STEM LEARNING IN THE COMMUNITY, STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY COHESION THROUGH FAMILY PROGRAMMING, AND BRING CITYWIDE STEM RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE 990 RETURN WAS NOT SENT TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS. THE RETURN HAS BEEN SENT TO CHAIR, TREASURER, ONE OR MORE ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS WITH ACCOUNTING OR TAX EXPERTISE, AND OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C MEMBERS REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ANY CONFLICTS AND FILL OUT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST FORM ANNUALLY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A UTILIZED PUBLICLY AVAILABLE SURVEYS TO DETERMINE COMPARABLE COMPENSATION. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY LAW, GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.