National College Attainment Network

What it reported doing in 2024

Ncan's 3 strategies: we can create opportunities for all students.ncan helps students access and succeed in college in three ways:1. Bolstering the skills of college access and success practitioners through professional development.2. Advocating for more equitable policies to help more students successfully pursue education after high school.3. Championing systemic changes in both k-12 and higher education that better support students through the postsecondary pipeline.(continued on schedule o)bolster skillsto do their best work for students, individuals who provide college access and success services must be well-trained and well-informed.ncan provides our members with tools to improve and grow, opportunities to share and learn effective practices, periodic regrants for new initiatives, and insight into national trends and research. Professional development resources include frequent webinars, moderated peer exchanges, a comprehensive e-learning curriculum, and an annual conference with dozens of juried workshop sessions. Ncan's blog and weekly newsletter keep members up to date on the latest research, policy developments, grant opportunities, and innovative program strategies. Advocate for policy solutionsncan mobilizes the voices of our member organizations and their students to ensure that their perspectives are represented in higher education policy discussions.ncan also develops and advocates for proven federal and state policies, such as simplifying the financial aid process, increasing need-based aid, and allowing students to access public benefits for food security, income assistance, and childcare. Changes like these are imperative to enable many more eager and ambitious students to complete college.champion systems changethe historically disconnected nature of k-12 schools and higher education systems is a major contributor to inequitable college graduation rates for students of color and students experiencing poverty.ncan engages with k-12 and postsecondary system leaders to advance strategies for making the transition from high school to college clearer and more accessible for students and supporting more students through graduation. Ncan explores, documents, and shares effective system practices and provides thought leadership that inspires leaders to take action.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 85.2%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: $21.46 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 61; 61st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • 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; 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; 63rd 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: -43.3%; rating input score 3; 3rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.77; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.34; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 21.7%; rating input score 11; 11th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 8.5% per year; rating input score 100; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 8.9% per year; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 12.8% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings