2026-08-11T19:00:40-04:00 2025-08-31 854152564 RCS CPAS PLLC 4415 HARRISON ST SUITE 552 HILLSIDE IL 60162 990 2024-09-01 364305660 PROJECT EXPLORATION PROJ 3122734026 4511 SOUTH EVANS CHICAGO IL 60653 NATASHA SMITH-WALKER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 7738347614 2026-08-10 true true MOHAMMAD SHEIKH P02150743 7084829488 2026-08-11 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X NATASHA SMITH-WALKER 4511 SOUTH EVANS CHICAGO IL 60653 2209702 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 26 6 0 1981805 2127334 87419 13244 42 259 68865 2069266 2209702 0 0 908747 1634554 0 142948 985576 1115558 1894323 2750112 174943 -540410 523374 857762 175833 918915 347541 -61153 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 2100525 PROJECT EXPLORATION'S YOUTH-SCIENCE PATHWAY (YSP) PROGRAMS PROVIDE STUDENTS K-12 WITH HANDS-ON STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH AFTERSCHOOL, SCHOOL-BREAK, SUMMER, SCHOOL-BASED, AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS. YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH WHILE BUILDING CONFIDENCE, TEAMWORK, PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO EXPOSE STUDENTS TO STEM CAREERS, CONNECT THEM WITH MENTORS, AND SUPPORT LONG-TERM INTEREST AND ENGAGEMENT IN STEM LEARNING. PROJECT EXPLORATION'S COMMUNITY ECOSYSTEM WORK BRINGS TOGETHER SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, FAMILIES, YOUTH, AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO CREATE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, AND ENGAGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. THROUGH COMMUNITY EVENTS, NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, AND COLLABORATIVE PLANNING, THIS WORK HELPS INCREASE ACCESS TO RESOURCES, STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY, AND SUPPORT POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES. PROJECT EXPLORATION'S STEM ECOSYSTEM WORK FOCUSES ON BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION ACROSS SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, BUSINESSES, HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, AND PUBLIC AGENCIES TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH. THIS WORK INCLUDES CONVENING PARTNERS, SHARING RESOURCES AND BEST PRACTICES, SUPPORTING COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES, AND HELPING STRENGTHEN THE OVERALL STEM LEARNING LANDSCAPE ACROSS CHICAGO COMMUNITIES. 223468 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. 223468 2323993 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 112 0 26 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 NATASHA SMITH-WALKER EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 131976 0 0 KATHERINE ACLES DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 HENRY CRAAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ASHER HORSHER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SARAH HOUBERG DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRYAN HUNT VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 TIMOTHY KOLSCHOWSKY CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JUDY LUBIN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 NARASIMHA RAJU NAGUBHAI DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELAINA SHANNON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DEBORAH WILLIAMS TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 131976 1 false false false 1419692 707642 2127334 PROGRAM SERVICES 13244 13244 13244 259 259 EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT 68865 68865 68865 2209702 82109 259 124083 105471 12408 6204 1241887 1066031 117238 58618 117872 100191 11787 5894 150712 128105 15071 7536 8500 3400 5100 71702 52093 10072 9537 20948 17806 2095 1047 109303 92908 10930 5465 15077 12815 1508 754 53457 35011 12297 6149 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 348580 296293 34858 17429 EVENTS 146230 124296 14623 7311 PROGRAM EXPENSES 119242 101356 11924 5962 CONSULTING 91313 77616 9131 4566 131206 110601 14129 6476 2750112 2323993 283171 142948 88492 26300 419805 718411 1217 177093 177093 15077 111834 523374 857762 25833 123250 177133 150000 618532 175833 918915 X 347541 -61153 347541 -61153 523374 857762 -540410 131716 X false true X true false X 1096797 1176691 1171553 1981805 2127334 7554180 1096797 1176691 1171553 1981805 2127334 7554180 1041242 6512938 21 44 103 42 259 469 7554649 686111 0.86210 0.79820 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 159408 159408 17685 17685 NOTES PAYABLE 505000 LEASE LIABILITY 113532 618532 X 2432562 222860 222860 2209702 2209702 2972972 222860 222860 2750112 2750112 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, 2025. 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, 2025. FORM 990, PAGE 1, ITEM B ADDITIONAL INFORATION PROVIDED, AUDIT REPORT FINALIZED 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.