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Firelight Foundation

  • Scotts Valley, CA
  • Tax-exempt since Aug. 2010
  • EIN: 27-2795006

Organization summary

Type of Nonprofit

Designated as a Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition (as long as it doesn't provide athletic facilities or equipment), or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Category: International, Foreign Affairs and National Security / International Relief (NTEE)

Donations to this organization are tax deductible.

Summary charts: organization finances over time

Revenue
$3.83M (2023)

Expenses
$4.26M (2023)

Total Assets
$16.9M (2023)

Total Liabilities
$979k (2023)

Source: Form 990 tax filings from 2011 to 2023

Tax Filings by Year

Form 990 is an information return that most organizations claiming federal tax-exempt status must file yearly with the IRS. Nonprofit Explorer has IRS digitized Form 990 data for filings processed in 2012 and later. If this organization filed an amended return, it may not be reflected below. Duplicate download links may indicate a resubmission or amendment to this organization's original return. Form 990 data is from the IRS.

Fiscal Year Ending June
2023

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$3,827,082
Expenses
$4,257,666
Net Income
-$430,584
Net Assets
$15,946,232
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $3,331,066
87.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $164,483
4.3%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $328,397
8.6%
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $3,136
0.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $179,841
4.2%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $786,618
18.5%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $16,924,788
Total Liabilities $978,556
Net Assets $15,946,232
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Nina Blackwell (Executive Director) $157,171 $0 $870
Gloria Johnson Cusack (Chair/Consultant) $0 $0 $0
Mark Lorey (Vice Chair/Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Elisa De Martel (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Jimmy Kolker (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Joyce Malombe (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Rose Maruru (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Sibongile Bongi Mkhabela (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Paula Nimpuno Parente (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
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Document Links

990
Filed on March 20, 2024

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2022

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$13,118,127
Expenses
$3,408,407
Net Income
$9,709,720
Net Assets
$17,325,978
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $13,040,899
99.4%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $61,003
0.5%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $14,943
0.1%
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $1,282
0.0%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $135,876
4.0%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $365,272
10.7%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $17,502,770
Total Liabilities $176,792
Net Assets $17,325,978
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Nina Blackwell (Executive Director) $154,836 $0 $567
Gloria Johnson Cusack (Chair/Consultant) $0 $0 $0
Mark Lorey (Vice Chair/Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Elisa De Martel (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Jimmy Kolker (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Joyce Malombe (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Rose Maruru (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Sibongile Bongi Mkhabela (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Paula Nimpuno Parente (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gerry Salole (Board Member Until 08/21) $0 $0 $0
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Document Links

990
Filed on May 15, 2023

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2021

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,675,905
Expenses
$3,887,987
Net Income
-$2,212,082
Net Assets
$8,153,633
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,529,785
91.3%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $79,275
4.7%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $60,655
3.6%
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $6,190
0.4%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $189,287
4.9%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $370,320
9.5%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $8,314,589
Total Liabilities $160,956
Net Assets $8,153,633
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Nina Blackwell (Executive Director) $174,836 $0 $567
Jane Stokes (Director Of Finance) $125,713 $0 $46,624
Gloria Johnson Cusack (Chair/Consultant) $0 $0 $0
Mark Lorey (Vice Chair/Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Elisa De Martel (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Jimmy Kolker (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Joyce Malombe (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Rose Maruru (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Sibongile Bongi Mkhabela (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Paula Nimpuno Parente (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gerry Salole (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
+ View more people

Document Links

990
Filed on Nov. 4, 2021

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2020

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$6,293,430
Expenses
$3,860,459
Net Income
$2,432,971
Net Assets
$10,021,808
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $6,221,849
98.9%
Program Services $7,500
0.1%
Investment Income $98,426
1.6%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$62,339
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $27,994
0.4%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $186,303
4.8%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $421,286
10.9%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $10,298,929
Total Liabilities $277,121
Net Assets $10,021,808
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Nina Blackwell (Executive Director) $174,836 $0 $567
Jane Stokes (Director Of Finance) $110,180 $0 $44,379
Paru Yusuf (Board Member Until 02/2020) $10,900 $0 $0
Gloria Johnson Cusack (Chair/Consultant) $0 $0 $0
Mark Lorey (Vice Chair/Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Molly Efrusy (Vice Chair/Secretary Until 02/2020) $0 $0 $0
Elisa De Martel (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Joyce Malombe (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Jimmy Kolker (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gerry Salole (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
+ View more people

Document Links

990
Filed on Nov. 10, 2020

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2019

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$5,069,545
Expenses
$4,391,712
Net Income
$677,833
Net Assets
$7,533,638
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $4,617,785
91.1%
Program Services $126,212
2.5%
Investment Income $132,481
2.6%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $190,838
3.8%
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $2,229
0.0%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $183,757
4.2%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $454,807
10.4%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $7,684,459
Total Liabilities $150,821
Net Assets $7,533,638
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Nina Blackwell (Executive Director) $169,649 $0 $567
Jane Stokes (Director Of Finance) $106,911 $0 $44,974
Gloria Johnson Clark (Chair/Consultant) $45,630 $0 $0
Molly Efrusy (Vice Chair) $0 $0 $0
Dave Katz (Secretary Until 06/2019) $0 $0 $0
Elisa De Martel (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Geoff Foster (Board Member Until 06/2019) $0 $0 $0
Mark Lorey (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Jimmy Kolker (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Kerry Olson (Board Member Until 06/2019) $0 $0 $0
Gerry Salole (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Paru Yusuf (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
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990
Filed on Nov. 10, 2019

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2018

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$6,244,038
Expenses
$4,907,157
Net Income
$1,336,881
Net Assets
$7,043,922
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $5,641,023
90.3%
Program Services $223,429
3.6%
Investment Income $122,624
2.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $183,368
2.9%
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $73,594
1.2%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $225,514
4.6%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $632,126
12.9%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $7,234,265
Total Liabilities $190,343
Net Assets $7,043,922
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Nina Blackwell (Executive Director) $161,631 $0 $501
Joshua Kyallo Managing (Dir. Of Africa Until 02/2018) $130,000 $0 $13,476
Jane Stokes (Director Of Finance) $103,856 $0 $30,015
Gloria Johnson Clark (Chair/Consultant) $60,684 $0 $0
Molly Efrusy (Vice Chair) $0 $0 $0
Dave Katz (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Elisa De Martel (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Richard Staufenberger (Vice Chair/Treas. Until 10/2017) $0 $0 $0
Geoff Foster (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Mark Lorey (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Jimmy Kolker (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Kerry Olson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Paru Yusuf (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
+ View more people

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990
Filed on Nov. 5, 2018

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2017

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,997,411
Expenses
$3,898,769
Net Income
-$1,901,358
Net Assets
$5,713,656
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,664,255
83.3%
Program Services $225,858
11.3%
Investment Income $150,436
7.5%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$65,186
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $22,048
1.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $162,802
4.2%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $751,681
19.3%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $5,926,441
Total Liabilities $212,785
Net Assets $5,713,656
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Nina Blackwell (Executive Director) $160,000 $0 $0
Jane Stokes (Director Of Finance) $102,830 $0 $28,341
Catherine Milton (Chair (Left 10/16)) $0 $0 $0
Gloria Johnson Clark (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Dave Katz (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Richard Staufenberger (Vice Chair/Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Elisa De Martel (Board Member(elec. 11/2016)) $0 $0 $0
Molly Efrusy (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Geoff Foster (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Mark Lorey (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Jimmy Kolker (Board Member(elec. 1/2017)) $0 $0 $0
Kerry Olson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Paru Yusuf (Board Member(elec. 5/2016)) $0 $0 $0
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990
Filed on April 16, 2018

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2016

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$4,094,781
Expenses
$3,247,831
Net Income
$846,950
Net Assets
$7,714,950
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $3,635,498
88.8%
Program Services $56,570
1.4%
Investment Income $174,405
4.3%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $181,333
4.4%
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $46,975
1.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $200,677
6.2%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $502,393
15.5%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $7,939,201
Total Liabilities $224,251
Net Assets $7,714,950
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Zanele Sibanda (Former Programs Director) $152,656 $0 $12,927
Wendy Wheeler (Interim Exec. Dir. Until 08/2015) $135,385 $0 $4,061
Nina Blackwell (Executive Director As Of 07/2015) $76,308 $0 $0
Catherine Milton (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Dave Katz (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Richard Staufenberger (Vice Chair/Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Molly Efrusy (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Geoff Foster (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Rowland Hobbs (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gloria Johnson Clark (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Mark Lorey (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Diana Auborg Milner (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Kerry Olson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
+ View more people

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990
Filed on May 9, 2017

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2015

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$4,810,434
Expenses
$3,357,367
Net Income
$1,453,067
Net Assets
$7,165,844
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $4,471,525
93.0%
Program Services $123,354
2.6%
Investment Income $170,749
3.5%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$28,376
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $73,182
1.5%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $629,963
18.8%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $528,004
15.7%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $7,847,146
Total Liabilities $681,302
Net Assets $7,165,844
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Peter Laugharn Left 10 2014 (Executive Director) $249,231 $0 $37,121
Zanele Sibanda (Programs Director) $141,560 $0 $28,815
Wendy Wheeler Started 10 2014 (Interim Executive Director) $33,077 $0 $323
Catherine Milton (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Dave Katz (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Richard Staufenberger (Vice Chair/Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Molly Efrusy (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Geoff Foster (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Rowland Hobbs (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gloria Johnson Clark (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Mark Lorey (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Diana Auborg Milner (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Kerry Olson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
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990
Filed on Nov. 9, 2015

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2014

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,585,759
Expenses
$3,884,795
Net Income
-$2,299,036
Net Assets
$5,909,577
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,071,543
67.6%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $130,975
8.3%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $35,530
2.2%
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $347,711
21.9%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $275,083
7.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $822,526
21.2%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $6,899,195
Total Liabilities $989,618
Net Assets $5,909,577
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Peter Laugharn (Executive Director) $240,000 $0 $33,975
Zanele Sibanda (Programs Director) $132,798 $0 $27,562
Johan Rubens (Development Director) $124,644 $0 $17,903
Catherine Milton (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Dave Katz (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Richard Staufenberger (Vice Chair/Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Anand Chandrasekaran (Board Member (Until 2/2014)) $0 $0 $0
Molly Efrusy (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Barbara Fagen Smith (Board Member (Until 4/2014)) $0 $0 $0
Geoff Foster (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Rowland Hobbs (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gloria Johnson Clark (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Mark Lorey (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Diana Auborg Milner (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Kerry Olson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
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990
Filed on Oct. 13, 2014

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2013

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$9,136,713
Expenses
$5,117,044
Net Income
$4,019,669
Net Assets
$7,756,445
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $8,884,571
97.2%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $28,324
0.3%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $84,189
0.9%
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $139,629
1.5%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $283,382
5.5%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $976,417
19.1%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $9,353,855
Total Liabilities $1,597,410
Net Assets $7,756,445

Document Links

990
Filed on March 11, 2014

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending June
2012

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$3,192,825
Expenses
$4,374,854
Net Income
-$1,182,029
Net Assets
$3,700,746
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $3,135,620
98.2%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $500
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$7,307
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $64,012
2.0%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $260,186
5.9%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $819,524
18.7%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $4,627,717
Total Liabilities $926,971
Net Assets $3,700,746

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending June
2011

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$8,965,788
Expenses
$4,083,013
Net Income
$4,882,775
Net Assets
$4,882,775
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $8,887,038
99.1%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $817
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $9,018
0.1%
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $68,915
0.8%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $244,523
6.0%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $680,265
16.7%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $5,485,034
Total Liabilities $602,259
Net Assets $4,882,775

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

About This Data

Nonprofit Explorer includes summary data for nonprofit tax returns and full Form 990 documents, in both PDF and digital formats.

The summary data contains information processed by the IRS during the 2012-2019 calendar years; this generally consists of filings for the 2011-2018 fiscal years, but may include older records. This data release includes only a subset of what can be found in the full Form 990s.

In addition to the raw summary data, we link to PDFs and digital copies of full Form 990 documents wherever possible. This consists of separate releases by the IRS of Form 990 documents processed by the agency, which we update regularly.

We also link to copies of audits nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year since 2016. These audits are copied from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse.

Which Organizations Are Here?

Every organization that has been recognized as tax exempt by the IRS has to file Form 990 every year, unless they make less than $200,000 in revenue and have less than $500,000 in assets, in which case they have to file form 990-EZ. Organizations making less than $50,000 don’t have to file either form but do have to let the IRS they’re still in business via a Form 990N "e-Postcard."

Nonprofit Explorer has organizations claiming tax exemption in each of the 27 subsections of the 501(c) section of the tax code, and which have filed a Form 990, Form 990EZ or Form 990PF. Taxable trusts and private foundations that are required to file a form 990PF are also included. Small organizations filing a Form 990N "e-Postcard" are not included in this data.

Types of Nonprofits

There are 27 nonprofit designations based on the numbered subsections of section 501(c) of the tax code. See the list »

Get the Data

For those interested in acquiring the original data from the source, here’s where our data comes from:

  • Raw filing data. Includes EINs and summary financials as structured data.
  • Exempt Organization profiles. Includes organization names, addresses, etc. You can merge this with the raw filing data using EIN numbers.
  • Form 990 documents. Prior to 2017, these documents were obtained and processed by Public.Resource.org and ProPublica. Bulk PDF downloads since 2017 are available from the IRS.
  • Form 990 documents as XML files. Includes complete filing data (financial details, names of officers, tax schedules, etc.) in machine-readable format. Only available for electronically filed documents. Electronic data released prior to October 2021 is also available through Amazon Web Services.
  • Audits. PDFs of single or program-specific audits for nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year. Available for fiscal year 2015 and later.

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Byline

By Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford and Ash Ngu, ProPublica, and Brandon Roberts, Special to ProPublica.
Design by Jeff Frankl. Additional development by Ken Schwencke, Mike Tigas, and Sisi Wei.

E-file viewer adapted from IRS e-File Viewer by Ben Getson. Code for scraping audit documents adapated from Govwiki.

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