Los Nios Primero Inc

What it reported doing in 2025

Mission statement: We prepare Latino children and their families for success through innovative, high-quality education programs that extend beyond the classroom. Vision: Latino children and their families are inspired to become lifelong learners.Numbers served in 2025: 700 Children, 380 teens/young adults, and 500 families.For over two decades, since 2001, Los Nios Primero has been dedicated to providing educational support to underserved Latino students, youth, and their families. Our programs aim to prepare children, youth, and parents to excel in their communities while fostering a love of learning at any stage of life. Led by our Executive Director, Maritza Morelli, who emigrated from Venezuela to Atlanta, Georgia, Los Nios Primero has made a significant impact on countless Latino children, youth, and adults. Maritza's dedication and intentional actions have built a cohesive, inclusive community centered around our organization. The early years of Los Nios Primero reflect the power of community, setting the course for our visionary curriculum that has impacted over 6,220 Latino children, youth, and families. Under Maritzas leadership, we have established ourselves as a trusted resource for Atlantas underserved Latino population.For 26 years, Los Nios Primero has provided comprehensive educational support, nurturing the academic, social, and emotional well-being of Latino children and their families. Our innovative approach fosters a culturally rich learning environment, empowering teachers and students through Play & Inquiry-Based Learning and cultivating a new generation of independent thinkers.Los Nios Primero offers six core programs:1. Year-Round Academic Program (ages 3-11): Enriching summer and Saturday school sessions aligned with Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) and Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE).2. Early Literacy Program (ages 4-5): Enhancing family literacy with bilingual instruction, creative exploration, and parent involvement, in partnership with the Alliance Theater.3. Arts and Cultural Enrichment (ages 4-13): Offering chorus, orchestra, dance, drama, art, and cultural enrichment to foster well-rounded educational experiences and cultural connection.4. Sports (ages 4-12): Led by Coach Ricardo Montoya, our soccer and swimming programs promote physical health, social skills, and emotional well-being.5. Youth Service and Leadership Program: Engaging youth volunteers as role models to foster leadership and intellectual curiosity, with opportunities for scholarships through the Martha Barrios Mead Scholarship Program.6. Family Civic Engagement and Leadership Program: Empowering parents with confidence and skills to advocate for their children through initiatives such as:. Fostering Family Leaders Program: A 10-week initiative in collaboration with The United Way of Greater Atlanta.. Parent Education Program: Workshops and training to enhance understanding of the U.S. school system and child development.. Cognitive-Compassion Training: Stress management for parents, led by a certified instructor.. LYRIC (Latino Youth Readiness and Information about College): Outreach sessions for high school students and families.. Coach Parent Program: Year-long coaching to enhance communication and leadership skills.. Affordable Family Counseling: Free bilingual, GA-certified mental health therapy for enrolled families.Professional development of staff and contractual state-certified educators continues with a focus on Finnish pedagogy, play-based and project-based learning, along with SEE Learning, Social, Emotional, and Ethical.Mental wellness support is extended to all enrolled families and staff.Our journey as key innovators in education in Atlanta continues as we foster a new generation of independent thinkers ready to engage with the world around them.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 52.9%; rating input score 53
• Program expense ratio: 76.2%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: $7.21 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 92.3%; rating input score 92; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • 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: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 31.6%; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.17; rating input score 39; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 12.2%; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 18.9% per year; rating input score 100; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 18% per year; rating input score 100; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 19.6% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings