The Pulsera Project

What it reported doing in 2024

The pulsera project's social enterprise model is unique because our project is based on solidarity and mutual benefit -u.s. Students help create opportunity in central america through pulsera sales while also learning about the artisans and communities whom their sales benefit. By weaving pulsera sales into an educational program we can provide opportunities for central americans while also educating thousands of u.s. Students about fair trade, central american culture, and global citizenship.***** see schedule o for continuation *****the project mission: the pulsera project continues to focus on developing our three core components:1) creating meaningful employment for central americans2) educating u.s. Students through pulsera sales3) investing proceeds in central american communitiesthe 2024-25 school year was both inspiring and challenging for the pulsera project. We were honored to work alongside hundreds of schools across the u.s., strengthening partnerships with teachers and students and welcoming new ones. Year after year, these students and educators bring our mission to life alongside the artisans and community members we proudly call our pulsera family in guatemala and nicaragua, bringing lessons on solidarity, fair trade, and global citizenship into classrooms nationwide.at the same time, we faced reduced sales and lower school participation, continuing a trend many educators trace to the lasting effects of the pandemic. Fewer students are joining clubs, teachers face greater barriers to hosting events, and burnout remains a common challenge.even so, our siempre adelante spirit remains strong. With new collaborations including a housing support program for guatemalan artisans - expanded educational partnerships, innovative classroom resources, and the continued dedication of our team and central american partners, we move into the new school year committed to building bridges of solidarity and sustaining fair trade impact.the artisans of guatemala & nicaraguaafter years of sustaining pulsera artisan employment through the pandemic and recovery, we reduced pulsera production this year to match sales and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. Even with this adjustment, we delivered $132,825 in artisan income.in the spirit of solidarity, our artisan groups accepted this necessary shift with optimism. As they shared, there are good times and bad times...both are to be expected. Beyond the numbers, the project's real value lies in human connection - sharing, laughing, working together, and supporting one another through challenges and growth.school collaborations and educational program in the U.S.the mission of the pulsera project would not be possible without the dedication of thousands of teachers and students across the united states who bring pulsera sales to life each year. Through their creativity and commitment, they create employment for artisans while raising funds for impactful programs in guatemala and nicaragua. Classrooms become spaces for meaningful conversations about social impact, solidarity, fair trade, and global citizenship.during the 2024-2025 school year, we partnered with 326 schools in the fall/winter semester and 440 schools in winter/spring, for a total of 766 pulsera sales. Together, teachers and student volunteers raised $537,119, and the pulsera project additionally received $6,958 in donations.since 2009, we've now collaborated with 4,056 schools across all 50 states, resulting in 8,808 unique pulsera sales. This year 180 schools hosted their first sale, while many long-standing partners returned, some even marking their 15th year of participation. We also expanded collaborations with vista higher learning, aatsp & the national spanish examination, sigma delta pi, and jncl, and continued sponsoring educators to represent the pulsera project at language conferences across the country.we were grateful to guide another teacher trip to guatemala, connecting artisans and educato

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 97.7%; rating input score 98
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 90.9%; rating input score 91; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: 2 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 25
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Fail
  • Conducts field audits: Fail
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Pass
  • Conducts site visits: Fail
  • Requires grant agreements: Fail
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 24.9%; rating input score 25; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 71
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 2.2%; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.1; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.18; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.6% per year; rating input score 100; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.1% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 11.7% per year; rating input score 100; 70th percentile among comparable filings