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Polaris Project

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 Human Rights (NTEE)

Donations to this organization are tax deductible.

Summary charts: organization finances over time

Revenue
$14.8M (2022)

Expenses
$14.5M (2022)

Total Assets
$17.4M (2022)

Total Liabilities
$10.5M (2022)

Source: Form 990 tax filings from 2011 to 2022

Tax Filings and Audits 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.

Audits are required to be submitted by nonprofit organizations that spend $750,000 or more in federal grant money in a fiscal year. "Single audits" look at the entire organization's finances and compliance, while other audits are program specific. Nonprofit Explorer has PDFs of audits for some nonprofits for fiscal year 2015 and later. Audit data is from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse.

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2022

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$14,769,645
Expenses
$14,482,007
Net Income
$287,638
Net Assets
$6,877,037
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $14,708,089
99.6%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $41,556
0.3%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $20,000
0.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $1,476,021
10.2%
Professional Fundraising Fees $353,750
2.4%
Other Salaries and Wages $6,876,816
47.5%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $17,393,440
Total Liabilities $10,516,403
Net Assets $6,877,037
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Catherine Chen (Executive Director & Ceo) $260,440 $0 $17,327
Michelle Nicholson (Chief People Officer) $192,028 $0 $16,991
Jennifer Jinks (Chief Strategy & Impact Officer) $191,747 $0 $23,940
Alfonso Wright (Chief Financial Officer) $190,124 $0 $8,728
Patrick Mcintyre (Chief Development Officer) $185,509 $0 $16,730
Caren Benjamin (Chief Communications Officer) $182,925 $0 $16,627
Anjana Rajan (Chief Technology Officer) $157,302 $0 $15,602
Margo Kelly (Director Of Foundation Relations) $136,293 $0 $21,722
Damon Gorham (Director Of Tech Operations) $133,630 $0 $25,998
Sara Woldehanna (Director, Learning Innovation & Data Systems) $126,283 $0 $31,063
Kimberly Davis (Director Of Human Resources) $124,808 $0 $26,655
Robert Beiser (Strategic Initiative Director) $119,209 $0 $4,768
Gregory Moore (Board Chairperson) $0 $0 $0
Frederick Reynolds (Board Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Jean Gilbert (Board Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Roy Austin (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Lisa Benenson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Susan Coppedge (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Boris Gartner (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Tanya Gould (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Liz Kiehner (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Angel Nguyen Swift (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2021

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$15,934,306
Expenses
$13,092,018
Net Income
$2,842,288
Net Assets
$6,510,836
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $14,482,433
90.9%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $4,396
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $1,447,477
9.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $1,283,673
9.8%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $5,942,282
45.4%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $10,122,155
Total Liabilities $3,611,319
Net Assets $6,510,836
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Catherine Chen (Executive Director & Ceo) $232,769 $0 $12,644
Michelle Nicholson (Chief People Officer) $193,576 $0 $10,705
Caren Benjamin (Chief Communications Officer) $174,841 $0 $16,847
Alfonso Wright (Chief Financial Officer) $173,538 $0 $8,188
Anjana Rajan (Chief Technology Officer) $167,436 $0 $7,359
Patrick Mcintyre (Chief Development Officer) $140,023 $0 $9,604
Margo Kelly (Director Of Fdtn Relations) $135,724 $0 $15,990
Jennifer Jinks (Chief Strategy & Impact Officer) $128,222 $0 $7,921
Robert Beiser (Strategic Initiative Director) $120,082 $0 $20,847
Matthew Bradley (Director Of App. Development) $119,572 $0 $4,056
Ebony Fox (Controller) $118,977 $0 $7,963
Damon Gorham (Director Of Tech Operations) $112,121 $0 $15,742
Gregory Moore (Board Chairperson) $0 $0 $0
Frederick Reynolds (Board Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Jean Gilbert (Board Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Roy Austin (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Lisa Benenson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Susan Coppedge (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Boris Gartner (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Tanya Gould (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Liz Kiehner (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Angel Nguyen Swift (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2020

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$8,903,741
Expenses
$13,135,393
Net Income
-$4,231,652
Net Assets
$3,701,761
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $9,177,492
> 100%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $21,893
0.2%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$326,819
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $31,175
0.4%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $1,185,673
9.0%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $6,559,759
49.9%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $8,899,499
Total Liabilities $5,197,738
Net Assets $3,701,761
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Catherine Chen (Exec Dir & Ceo From 9/2020) $191,968 $0 $11,903
Nancy Choi (Interim Exec Dir & Ceo) $189,279 $0 $7,571
Michelle Nicholson (Chief People Office) $184,968 $0 $4,224
Caren Benjamin (Chief Communications Officer) $179,979 $0 $11,449
Emily Tracy (Chief Development Officer) $177,638 $0 $7,106
Alfonso Wright (Chief Financial Officer) $146,490 $0 $5,177
Margo Kelly (Director Of Fdtn Relations) $130,512 $0 $9,444
Robert Beiser (Strategic Inititive Director) $116,724 $0 $8,893
Matthew Bradley (Director Of App. Development) $115,378 $0 $4,615
Anjana Rajan (Chief Technology Officer) $115,351 $0 $7,078
Damon Gorham (Director Of Tech. Operations) $113,941 $0 $8,782
Ebony Fox (Controller) $113,357 $0 $4,224
Roy Austin Jr (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Lisa Benenson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Greg Moore (Chairperson) $0 $0 $0
Jean Gilbert (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Frederick Reynolds (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Boris Gartner (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gail Mac Kinnon (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Angel Nguyen Swift (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2019

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$14,632,865
Expenses
$11,999,795
Net Income
$2,633,070
Net Assets
$7,935,582
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $14,439,979
98.7%
Program Services $153,513
1.0%
Investment Income $39,373
0.3%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $1,168,656
9.7%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $4,661,522
38.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $9,382,383
Total Liabilities $1,446,801
Net Assets $7,935,582
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Nancy Choi (Chief Operating Officer) $195,700 $0 $7,828
Bradley Myles (Chief Executive Officer) $190,252 $0 $11,820
Catherine Chen (Chief Prog. Officer From 11/18) $168,163 $0 $7,442
Emily Tracy (Chief Development Officer) $165,123 $0 $6,925
Caren Benjamin (Chief Communications Officer) $160,936 $0 $10,647
Michelle Nicholson (Chief People Office) $157,619 $0 $3,720
Alfonso Wright (Director Of Finance) $130,863 $0 $0
Roy Austin Jr (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Lisa Benenson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gail Mackinnon (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Greg Moore (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Jean Gilbert (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Frederick Reynolds (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Boris Gartner (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Angel Nguyen Swift (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2018

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$5,579,310
Expenses
$10,529,290
Net Income
-$4,949,980
Net Assets
$5,302,512
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $5,474,139
98.1%
Program Services $65,170
1.2%
Investment Income $40,001
0.7%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $797,375
7.6%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $4,433,330
42.1%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $6,854,045
Total Liabilities $1,551,533
Net Assets $5,302,512

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2017

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$12,466,505
Expenses
$9,216,315
Net Income
$3,250,190
Net Assets
$10,252,492
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $12,449,691
99.9%
Program Services $12,600
0.1%
Investment Income $21,410
0.2%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$15,947
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue -$1,249
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $423,563
4.6%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $4,233,879
45.9%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $11,871,199
Total Liabilities $1,618,707
Net Assets $10,252,492
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Bradley Myles (Excutive Diretor & Ceo) $167,583 $0 $3,907
Sarah Jakiel (Chief Program Off. (Through 05/17)) $130,338 $0 $8,936
Alfonso Wright (Director Of Finance) $109,779 $0 $4,391
Michelle Williams (Director Of Talent Mamgament) $103,570 $0 $7,865
Nancy Choi (Chief Operating Officer (Beg. 07/17)) $69,218 $0 $2,944
Alan Landis (Coo (Through 02/17)) $39,016 $0 $1,621
Catherine A Mclean (Chairperson) $0 $0 $0
Elizabeth Eun (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Joel R Charny (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Lisa Benenson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gail Mackinnon (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Greg Moore (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Steve Rosenthal (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2016

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$10,290,981
Expenses
$9,100,609
Net Income
$1,190,372
Net Assets
$7,001,002
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $10,222,499
99.3%
Program Services $51,687
0.5%
Investment Income $15,462
0.2%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $1,333
0.0%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $480,186
5.3%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $3,993,066
43.9%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $8,710,674
Total Liabilities $1,709,672
Net Assets $7,001,002
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Bradley Myles (Executive Director & Ceo) $169,058 $0 $3,722
Alan Landis (Chief Operating Officer) $149,148 $0 $9,422
Sarah Jakiel (Chief Programs Officer) $139,533 $0 $9,303
Anne Snouck Hurgronje (Director Fo Development) $118,378 $0 $8,510
Megan Fowler (Director Of Communications) $102,503 $0 $7,832
Corey Oser (Dir. Of Programs, Global) $101,546 $0 $7,971
Thomas Lockerby (Chairperson) $0 $0 $0
Elizabeth Eun (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Chris Busselle (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Joel Charny (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gail Mackinnon (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Catherine Mclean (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
John Lapham (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Steve Rosenthal (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Greg Moore (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Lisa Benenson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2015

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$7,780,538
Expenses
$7,311,527
Net Income
$469,011
Net Assets
$5,810,630
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $7,692,926
98.9%
Program Services $61,720
0.8%
Investment Income $11,015
0.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$1,912
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $16,789
0.2%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $341,978
4.7%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $3,554,849
48.6%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $7,237,885
Total Liabilities $1,427,255
Net Assets $5,810,630
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Bradley Myles (Executive Director & Ceo) $171,061 $0 $6,763
Sarah Jakiel (Chief Programs Officer) $129,620 $0 $12,149
Alan Landis (Chief Operating Officer (Beg. 02/15)) $118,271 $0 $5,633
Anne Snouck Hurgronje (Director Of Development) $112,559 $0 $11,465
Kathryn Stephens (Chief Operating Officer (End 03/15)) $40,250 $0 $0
Thomas Lockerby (Chairperson) $0 $0 $0
Elizabeth Eun (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Chris Busselle (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Joel Charny (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Gail Mackinnon (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Catherine Mclean (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2014

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$7,715,191
Expenses
$6,481,201
Net Income
$1,233,990
Net Assets
$5,341,619
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $7,505,247
97.3%
Program Services $187,224
2.4%
Investment Income $9,220
0.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$584
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $14,084
0.2%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $255,852
3.9%
Professional Fundraising Fees $16,080
0.2%
Other Salaries and Wages $3,269,363
50.4%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $7,083,944
Total Liabilities $1,742,325
Net Assets $5,341,619

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2013

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$5,647,686
Expenses
$6,450,639
Net Income
-$802,953
Net Assets
$4,107,629
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $5,503,646
97.4%
Program Services $145,800
2.6%
Investment Income $8,306
0.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$20,631
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $10,565
0.2%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $134,684
2.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $40,350
0.6%
Other Salaries and Wages $2,346,701
36.4%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $5,501,384
Total Liabilities $1,393,755
Net Assets $4,107,629

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2012

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$7,290,383
Expenses
$4,444,875
Net Income
$2,845,508
Net Assets
$4,910,582
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $7,234,451
99.2%
Program Services $57,500
0.8%
Investment Income $1,841
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$3,957
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $548
0.0%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $128,959
2.9%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $2,095,965
47.2%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $5,095,450
Total Liabilities $184,868
Net Assets $4,910,582

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2011

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$3,392,490
Expenses
$3,060,497
Net Income
$331,993
Net Assets
$2,065,074
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $3,284,530
96.8%
Program Services $67,550
2.0%
Investment Income $2,297
0.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $38,113
1.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $125,832
4.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $13,400
0.4%
Other Salaries and Wages $1,645,605
53.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $2,210,766
Total Liabilities $145,692
Net Assets $2,065,074

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2010

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2009

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2008

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2007

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2006

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2005

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2004

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2003

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2002

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

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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