2025-11-17T14:13:25-06:00 2024-12-31 251467156 SISTERSON & CO LLP 501 GRANT STREET SUITE 450 PITTSBURGH PA 15219 990 2024-01-01 830988251 BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY BEND 4127878567 1005 BEAVER GRADE ROAD SUITE 220 MOON TOWNSHIP PA 15108 JOYCE A BENDER PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR 4127878567 2025-11-17 1 0 KIMBERLEY A MILLER P01324554 4122812025 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z JOYCE A BENDER 1005 BEAVER GRADE ROAD SUITE 220 MOON TOWNSHIP PA 15108 924655 0 X HTTPS://BENDERLEADERSHIP.ORG X 2018 PA BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY'S MISSION IS TO INCREASE LONG-TERM COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES. BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IS FOUNDED ON A COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY, WITH A FOCUS ON THE VALUE AND ABILITIES EACH PERSON CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORKFORCE. WE DO THIS BY EDUCATING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WITH KEY COMPETENCIES THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR CHANCE FOR SUCCESS IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN ADULTHOOD. THIS EDUCATION IS SUPPLEMENTED WITH MESSAGING FOCUSED ON EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH TO RAISE THE BAR AND SPEAK UP; TO NOT BE LIMITED OR SILENCED BY THE PERCEPTIONS AND STIGMA THAT ACT AS BARRIERS TO SUCCESS. WE HAVE REALIZED AMAZING IMPACT WITH OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS; THESE STUDENTS BECOME BEACONS OF POSITIVITY FOR THEIR PEERS AND HARBINGERS OF A MORE HOPEFUL AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. 16 14 0 46 0 0 556963 625473 109287 244110 2990 17113 17118 23789 686358 910485 14000 15000 0 0 178068 253067 0 0 0 262974 357039 455042 625106 231316 285379 718040 988210 15209 0 702831 988210 X BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY'S MISSION IS TO INCREASE LONG-TERM COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES. BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IS FOUNDED ON A COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY, WITH A FOCUS ON THE VALUE AND ABILITIES EACH PERSON CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORKFORCE. WE DO THIS BY EDUCATING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WITH KEY COMPETENCIES THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR CHANCE FOR SUCCESS IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN ADULTHOOD. THIS EDUCATION IS SUPPLEMENTED WITH MESSAGING FOCUSED ON EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH TO RAISE THE BAR AND SPEAK UP; TO NOT BE LIMITED OR SILENCED BY THE PERCEPTIONS AND STIGMA THAT ACT AS BARRIERS TO SUCCESS. WE HAVE REALIZED AMAZING IMPACT WITH OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS; THESE STUDENTS BECOME BEACONS OF POSITIVITY FOR THEIR PEERS AND HARBINGERS OF A MORE HOPEFUL AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. 0 0 487889 15000 244360 THE BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY DELIVERS COMPETENCY-BUILDING PROGRAMS THAT ENABLE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TO ENGAGE IN EDUCATIONAL, EMPOWERMENT AND WORK OPPORTUNITIES, CELEBRATE SUCCESSES, AND SET AND ACHIEVE CAREER JOURNEY GOALS. BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY'S GOAL IS TO INCREASE LONG-TERM COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES. THERE ARE 7 MAIN PROGRAM TITLES: (1) WORK READINESS TRAINING, WHICH FOCUSES ON FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT, DRESSING FOR SUCCESS, RESUME BUILDING AND PRACTICE INTERVIEWS, PRESENTATION PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS, VIRTUAL WORKPLACE TOURS, AND UTILIZES EMPLOYER PARTNERS FOR PRACTICE INTERVIEW EXPERIENCES, (2) STUDENT LEADERS TRAINING, WHICH FOCUSES ON LEADERSHIP, INITIATIVE, ANTI-BULLYING, RESUME BUILDING AND INTERVIEW SKILLS, PRESENTATION PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS, NETWORKING AND EMPLOYER CONNECTIONS, VIRTUAL WORKPLACE TOURS, AND UTILIZES SPEAKERS FROM EMPLOYER PARTNERS TO REINFORCE CONCEPTS, (3) CERTIFCATIONS (ICDL INTERNATIONAL COMPUTING DRIVERS LICENSE AND NRF CUSTOMER SERVICE), WHICH FOCUS ON SELF-PACED ONLINE MODULES, THE SEVEN MICROSOFT SUITE BASIC FUNCTIONALITY CERTIFICATIONS, VIRTUAL PROCTORING AND ASSESSMENT, SOFT SKILLS, WITH INSTRUCTOR OVERSITE, AS WELL AS THE BASIC CUSTOMER SERVICE CONCEPTS, (4) DIGITAL ACCESS @ WORK, WHICH TEACHES WEB CONTENT ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES (WCAG), DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY TESTING METHODOLOGIES, COLOR CONTRAST ANALYZER (CCA), AND NON-VISUAL DESKTOP ACCESS (NVDA), AND (5) JARRETT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TRAINING, WHICH FOCUSES ON LEADERSHIP, SELF-ADVOCACY, ADVOCACY FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS, VOLUNTEERISM, THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING, AND HOW TO TAKE ACTION UTILIZING SPEAKERS FROM EMPLOYER PARTNERS TO REINFORCE CONCEPTS, (6) ADVANCED STUDENT LEADERS TO CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC SPEAKING AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS WHILE LEARNING HOW TO PUT YOUR WORKPLACE SKILLS TO PRACTICAL USE. BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY'S ADVANCED STUDENT LEADERS PROGRAM CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP, INITIATIVE, AND IMPROVING INTERVIEW SKILLS ALONG WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, HEALTHY MIND HABITS AND UTILIZES SPEAKERS FROM EMPLOYER PARTNERS TO REINFORCE CONCEPTS, (7) EDUCATION2EMPLOYMENT TO PROVIDE EXPERIENCES THAT TAKE STUDENTS FROM LEARNING TO PRACTICAL APPLICATION. BY COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITY EMPLOYERS, BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY OVERSEES A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP STUDENTS APPLY WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED IN A SUPPORTED WORK EXPERIENCE. 40352 THE BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CONDUCTS THE MARY BROUGHER MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE, WHICH WORKS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS BUILD A MENTAL FITNESS ROUTINE AND BECOME MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES. THE INITIATIVE PROVIDES MENTAL FITNESS TRAINING IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS (1) TO BECOME EMPOWERED TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, (2) TO ENGAGE IN HEALTHY MIND HABITS THAT BUILD SKILLS IN SELF-COMPASSION, COPING, AND RESILIENCY, (3) TO LEARN TO IDENTIFY AND UNDERSTAND EMOTIONS AND WHAT THEY TELL US, AND (4) TO EXPLORE WHERE THOUGHTS COME FROM AND HOW TO PROCESS THEM IN A HEALTHY WAY. THE INITIATIVE ALSO TEACHES INDIVIDUALS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: (1) TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN ADVOCATE, (2) TO LEARN ABOUT CURRENT CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES, (3) TO HEAR PRESENTATIONS FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY, AND (4) TO EXPLORE ACTIONS THAT YOUTH ADVOCATES CAN TAKE TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE THAT ADDRESSES STIGMA OF MENTAL HEALTH. THE INITIATIVE LAUNCHED THE #NOTASHAMED CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES, TO EMPOWER YOUTH WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES TO TAKE PRIDE IN WHO THEY ARE, TO CREATE A COMMUNITY OF ALLIES DEDICATED TO ENDING MYTHS AROUND MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY AND TO CELEBRATE THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY. 528241 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 32 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 14 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 PA X KELLY KUCZINSKI 4127878567 1005 BEAVER GRADE RD SUITE 220 MOON TOWNSHIP PA 15108 JOYCE A BENDER PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR 4.00 X X 34000 0 0 LISA KRAUSE SECRETARY/DIRECTOR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 KELLY KUCZINSKI TREASURER/DIRECTOR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRISTINE GRIFFIN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JILL MANCZKA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SAM ESTES DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DARREN HUCKO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TINAMARIE DUFF DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 EVAN FRAZIER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN WALSH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 VERONICA VILLALOBOS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARY ESTHER VAN SHURA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SARAH MARCHE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CINDY HUNDORFEAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CARLA BABE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JONATHAN DUVALL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 34000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1394 17500 606579 625473 STUDENT TRAINING PROGR 611600 244110 244110 244110 17113 17113 37709 17500 14170 23539 23539 CREDIT CARD REBATES 611600 250 250 250 910485 244360 0 40652 X 15000 15000 34000 34000 219067 219067 33030 21420 11610 28754 28754 180775 157433 23342 35427 28579 6848 11073 1051 10022 10471 8476 1995 5909 5377 532 21109 19140 1969 475 475 COURSE MATERIALS AND RE 12811 12811 AWARDS AND DONATIONS 8208 8208 TRAINING 3873 1552 2321 BOOKS AND SUPPLIES 2797 2797 0 2327 1538 789 625106 528241 96865 0 398844 417111 303987 571099 15209 0 718040 988210 15209 0 15209 0 X 420219 583262 282612 404948 702831 988210 718040 988210 285379 0 X 1 X 0 1 0 X 315787 402418 450744 556963 625473 2351385 315787 402418 450744 556963 625473 2351385 1327927 1023458 2990 17113 20103 200 250 450 2371938 463089 0.43150 0.40640 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 X PART X, LINE 2: THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD ACCOUNTING STANDARDS CODIFICATION ON INCOME TAXES CLARIFIES RECOGNITION, MEASUREMENT, PRESENTATION AND DISCLOSURE RELATING TO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. MANAGEMENT IS NOT AWARE OF MATTERS THAT PRESENT UNCERTAINTY TO THE ACADEMY RELATIVE TO INCOME TAXES; HOWEVER, WERE SUCH MATTERS TO ARISE, THEY WOULD BE EVALUATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND ACCRUALS AND DISCLOSURES WOULD BE MADE AS REQUIRED. THE ACADEMY IS NOT AWARE OF ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. THE ACADEMY'S TAX RETURNS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 2021 AND BEYOND REMAIN SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. GOLF OUTING 48196 12500 35696 95 10348 3081 FUNDRAISING WALK 7013 5000 2013 646 55209 17500 37709 95 10348 3727 14170 23539 1 LINDA DICKERSON SCHOLARSHIP 15 15000 PART I, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT MONITOR THE USE OF THE GRANT FUNDS BUT THE APPLICATION INDICATES THAT THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER GOALS INSPIRED BY BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PROGRAMS AND APPLICANTS MUST LIST THEIR CURRENT SCHOOL AND GRADE INFORMATION AS WELL AS FUTURE SCHOOL/CAREER PLANS. BENDER CONSULTING SERVICES INC (BCS) JOYCE BENDER IS THE CEO/OWNER OF BCS AND KELLY KUCZINSKI IS THE EXEC VP/CFO 40000 PAYMENT OF FEE TO BCS FOR TIME SPENT AND SERVICES PERFORMED FOR BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - BOTH ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM-RELATED. 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 JOYCE BENDER AND KELLY KUCZINSKI HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 IN 2024 THE ORGANIZATION MADE CHANGES TO THE BYLAWS ON SECTION 5.03 (A) TO INCREASE NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE PRESIDENT, JOYCE BENDER, AND CFO, KELLY KUCZINSKI OF BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY REVIEW THE 990 PRIOR TO IT BEING FILED. IN ADDITION, A COPY OF THE 990 WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND SHARED WITH THE BOARD MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AN INTERESTED PERSON MUST DISCLOSE THE EXISTENCE OF THE FINANCIAL INTEREST AND BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCLOSE ALL MATERIAL FACTS TO THE DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES WITH GOVERNING BOARD DELEGATED POWERS CONSIDERING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MADE ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE TAX YEAR. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G OUTSIDE CONTRACTED SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 157,433. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 23,342. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 180,775.