Zeno

What it reported doing in 2024

Zeno has an established track record of working in a educational spaces where racial equity is THE key lever for change. We start with honoring the agency, dignity, and inherent strengths of Black Indigenous, and communities of color. By work to ensure that race is not a factor in the acquisition of math skills and the development of loving to learn.Zeno develops a love of math between and among very young children (3-5y/o), families, and early childhood providers through play and family engagement. Our work amplifies math learning and identity across race, place, linguistic, and culturally specific identities and development. We do this by: Starting EarlyMath at the highest levels of academic pursuit is more than computation. Its a language and a way of thinking, and just like language its easiest to acquire while young. Including FamiliesWe believe that parenting adults are a childs first and most influential teacher, and we know that culturally responsive engagement with families is critical when you are working with families from diverse communities.Working with PartnersZeno honors community experiences and works closely with partners that have long-standing community relationships. We know that working with community partners is the most effective and efficient approach to reach the most families. Centering Racial EquityWe all share a common duty to dismantle the racism within our institutions, policies, and beliefs that prevent our society from advancing as an equitable nation. All of our work from program and game design to our staff and board considers the impact of race, place, language, and culture.Making Math Fun Research emphasizes play because it encourages children to take an active role in their learning. Play is the work of childhood. Zeno designed games provide the inspiration and easy connection to foundational math concepts. The games create structure, focus and engagement opportunities for children with their parenting adults.Zeno developed and piloted our first Family MathWays program reaching 250 families in Seattle in 2016 and we grew to reach 4,600 families across 11 counties in Washington in our 2021-2022 program year.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 79.1%; rating input score 79
• Program expense ratio: 74.4%; rating input score 74
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.22 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 19; 19th 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: 85.7%; rating input score 86; 20th 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: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -6.2%; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.6; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 15.1%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.2% per year; rating input score 100; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.9% per year; rating input score 100; 30th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -1.7% per year; rating input score 0; 13th percentile among comparable filings