Nellie Mae Education Foundation

What it reported doing in 2024

Nellie mae education foundation's ("nmef", "nmef's", "the foundation", "nellie mae" hereafter) grantmaking strategy focuses on ensuring students have the resources, support, and opportunities necessary to succeed in the classroom and beyond. We do this by building the capacity, sustainability, and educational functions of educational organizations that qualify as public charities (organization or organizations" hereafter).this approach reflects our deep commitment to ensure every young person has access to excellent, rigorous, and relevant educational experiences that affirm their individuality and prepare them to thrive in school, community, and careers of the future. (continuation on schedule o)organizations funded by nellie mae focus on educating whether that's as an educational institution, an organization training individuals or other organizations, informing the general public, or developing and sharing educational resources. This work falls under the following four portfolios: capacity building accelerator (p1), systems transformation (p2), strengthening coalitions (p3), and integrated reinforcing activities (p4). The foundation also grants funding for rapid-response and event sponsorships.capacity building accelerator (p1) core objective: strengthen the ecosystem of individuals and organizations that support schools and districts to see, understand, and meet the unique needs of students.systems transformation (p2) core objective: increase the number of school, district, and state education leaders with the capacity, strategies, and resources to enact policies and practices that address opportunity and achievement gaps, ensuring that each and every student benefits from an excellent public education.strengthening coalitions (p3) core objective: bring together education leaders, experts, and community groups to build shared goals and support organizations at the local and leadership levels to close opportunity and achievement gaps and improve outcomes for all students.integrated reinforcing activities (p4) core objective: use storytelling, research, and community voices to raise awareness of achievement and opportunity gaps, shine a light on community solutions, and build support to ensure each and every child has what they need to thrive in school, community, and carers of the future.rapid response our rapid response fund provides short-term, time-sensitive support in communities facing a crisis that impacts students' ability to thrive. Event sponsorships our event sponsorships provide funding for community events, trainings, conferences and the like with a focus on the six new england states or are of national significance that advance our mission, vision and values: elevating community-rooted solutions and innovation.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 85.2%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • 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: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: 99.6%; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• 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: 26.8%; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 18.1; rating input score 96; 96th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 90; 90th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.8%; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -14.6% per year; rating input score 0; 1st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 7% per year; rating input score 100; 59th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 0.4% per year; rating input score 100; 12th percentile among comparable filings