Urban League of Eastern Masschusetts Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Professional skills and services programs msimbo ulem coding academy ulem's msimbo workforce development program continued its evolution as one of boston's only community-based training models integrating ai-enhanced workforce preparation for adult learners. In 2025, the cohort enrolled 11 participants, with six actively progressing despite significant economic barriers affecting persistence. Students completed more than six portfolio projects each, applying skills in automation, web development, marketing systems, data analysis, and healthcare workflows; they also contributed real work to organizations such as boston public schools and dothouse health. The program successfully implemented the google ai essentials certification and taught learners to use more than six ai platforms, earning high student satisfaction and ulem-issued credentials. However, challenges included the absence of a dedicated program director, limited employer partnerships, insufficient financial support, and attrition driven by economic need rather than academic readiness. Recommendations for 2026 include strengthening staffing, employer engagement, financial support, certification offerings, data tracking, and alumni upskilling to position msimbo for sustainable scale. Firststage lab the first stage lab experienced particularly strong momentum in 2025, demonstrating exceptional demand for early-stage entrepreneurial support. With 78 applications and 54 participants across three cohorts, the program exceeded capacity and broadened its reach through hybrid and virtual models. More than half of program graduates remained engaged through growth groups-monthly peer learning circles that help entrepreneurs test ideas, refine pitches, set goals, and access structured accountability and community support. This model effectively extends the program's impact, deepens alumni engagement, and contributes to a growing ecosystem of diverse entrepreneurs across greater boston. Continued investment will enable ulem to meet rising demand, scale growth groups, strengthen mentorship and investor networks, and solidify its role as a regional leader in entrepreneurial equity. Nul urban tech jobs program 2.0 urban tech jobs 2.0, delivered in partnership with franklin cummings tech, continued to prepare adult learners for high-demand technical roles in hvac, automotive technology, and electrical trades. Supported by the comcast nbcuniversal foundation, the program served 37 learners-primarily residents of boston's lowest-income neighborhoods and predominantly men of color. The hvac pathway offered preparation for the epa exam, r-410a certification, and osha 10-hour safety training. Program participants benefited from strong employer engagement through partnerships with mapc, abcd, masssave, agc, and the gould construction institute, as well as high-traffic recruitment events that brought more than 80 employers and over 550 students together across spring and fall career fairs. Additional industry showcases and new co-op pathways further enhanced access to real- world employment opportunities. Students remain actively enrolled, with job placement data to be provided upon program completion. Youth opportunity developing achievers (yoda) project ready, ulem's cornerstone youth program for students in grades 6- 12, continued to prepare the next generation of stem leaders through an equity-centered pipeline that integrates academic enrichment, college readiness, and workforce exploration. In 2025, the program expanded stem pathways, including ai, engineering, circuitry, cybersecurity, drone assembly, and faa part 107 preparation, while achieving exceptional student outcomes: 100% of seniors were college-bound, 100% of students advanced to the next grade, and all participants completed stem programming. Students also demonstrated strong career readiness: 92% reported confidence in exploring career options, and 85% completed formal career assessments. Partnerships with tufts univers

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 72.5%; rating input score 73
• Program expense ratio: 62.1%; rating input score 62
• Fundraising efficiency: $6.02 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 78
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -16.8%; rating input score 11; 11th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.95; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.14; rating input score 38; 38th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 32.7%; rating input score 6; 6th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.4% per year; rating input score 100; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.9% per year; rating input score 100; 30th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings