Jumpstart for Young Children Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

See schedule o: direct service programmingto realize its vision of kindergarten readiness, jumpstart engages and trains college student volunteers, known as corps members, to deliver an intentional oral language curriculum to preschool children in underserved communities. By adding trained adults to preschool classrooms, jumpstart provides more individualized interactions with children and enriches the overall language environment in classrooms. Delivery of jumpstart's curriculum is based on the following key principles: (1) utilize culturally competent, developmentally appropriate practices; (2) engage children in playful learning experiences; (3) balance adult-led and child-initiated learning; (4) hold high expectations for all children; and (5) support children's development in an environment where they feel safe, valued, respected, seen, and heard. Typically, teams of four to six jumpstart corps members serve in one preschool classroom throughout the school year, developing the language, literacy, and social-emotional skills of their partner children. Teams of corps members conduct two-hour "jumpstart sessions" twice per week with their full partner class. Corps members typically serve 2-5 hours of additional individual classroom service (ics) per week, implementing individualized activities with children and supporting teacher-led activities. Jumpstart sessions have a consistent routine so children know what to expect and what to do, which is important for developing self-regulation skills. Sessions are a blend of large and small group learning experiences and independent play. To start, corps members introduce children to the message, themes, and vocabulary of that day's session. A small group shared reading experience helps children develop an understanding of vocabulary and content knowledge and begin to comprehend connections between characters' mental states and their behavior. Reading is followed by a large group learning time centered around an interactive activity that builds children's conceptual knowledge and content vocabulary. Next, in center time, children make choices, experiment, practice new or previously learned skills, and play; corps members engage children in conversations and activities that support oral language and social-emotional development. Finally, each session closes with an opportunity for children to share about the day's activities with their peers. Child and member impactin 2024-25, jumpstart had 2,108 corps members who delivered its evidence-based programming to 7,532 children in 13 states plus Washington, dc. Corps members reduce the child to adult ratio in every jumpstart classroom, allowing children to receive an individualized learning experience that helps them to develop nurturing relationships with caring adults. On average, a majority of jumpstart children make gains over the course of the program year in language and literacy skills determined to be predictors of kindergarten readiness and school success. Through the delivery of programming to children, jumpstart is also expanding the pipeline of qualified, diverse talent pursuing careers in early education. As reported on the 2022 corps member survey, 86% of corps members expressed interest in a career or higher degree related to their jumpstart service.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 75.2%; rating input score 75
• Program expense ratio: 75%; rating input score 75
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.41 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd 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; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -0.2%; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.62; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.28; rating input score 49; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 11.2%; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.5% per year; rating input score 100; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.1% per year; rating input score 100; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 6.1% per year; rating input score 100; 43rd percentile among comparable filings