The STEM Alliance

What it reported doing in 2024

Digital equity: the stem alliance's digital pathways initiative closes the digital divide by connecting low- and moderate-income residents across westchester county and New York city to computers, internet access, and tech skills training. The stem alliance is a regional leader in digital equity and a trusted partner to state and local governments in administering these programs. The need is acute: among those served, 93% need a device, and 84% of those have no computer in the home at all, while 71% need basic computer training and 64% of those had never received any. This is not a temporary or pandemic-era problem. It is a persistent structural barrier that locks residents out of the basic digital skills that 92% of jobs now require, making full participation in a digitally driven economy impossible without intervention. Since 2020, the initiative has distributed more than 5,200 computing devices, connected over 2,300 households to the internet, and screened more than 5,500 residents for digital need.the results establish a clear pathway from digital access to economic opportunity. Among 3,855 clients surveyed before and after completing the program's 15-hour tech education course, comfort on core workforce platforms such as word, excel, and calendar more than doubled, reaching majority confidence across every platform. Spanish-speaking participants, who entered with the least confidence, made the largest gains and narrowed the gap with their english-speaking peers across most measures. The longer-term impact is direct and lasting: in a follow-up survey of 1,344 clients conducted three to six months after services, 79% or more reported an increased likelihood of using the internet to access healthcare and essential goods and services, 79% reported an increased likelihood of pursuing further training, and 67% reported an increased likelihood of obtaining a better-paying job. In a digitally driven economy, digital inclusion is among the most direct and scalable levers available for workforce development and individual empowerment.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 82.9%; rating input score 83
• Program expense ratio: 81.5%; rating input score 81
• Fundraising efficiency: $13.22 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 47; 47th 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: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 90.9%; rating input score 91; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 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: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -1.7%; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.41; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.56; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.9%; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 26.6% per year; rating input score 100; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 23.5% per year; rating input score 100; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 19.8% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings