PLATINUM2023

Playing At Learning

INSPIRING NEXT GEN STEM LEADERS

aka Playing@Learning   |   San Jose, CA   |  http://www.playingatlearning.org

Mission

INSPIRING NEXT GEN STEM LEADERS We inspire, excite and motivate our youth into pursuing careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Our affordable and sustainable STEM programs open doors to the worlds of science and technology for all Northern California K-12 youth with a focus on ensuring access and participation for underrepresented minority and underserved youth. We have partnered with FIRST to deliver on this mission.

Ruling year info

2004

President

Jill Wilker

Main address

2215 Oakland Road, Suite B

San Jose, CA 95131 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

20-1241878

NTEE code info

Educational Services and Schools - Other (B90)

Voluntarism Promotion (T40)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2022, 2021 and 2018.
Register now

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

We are devoted to increasing the number of people pursuing STEM careers by focusing on K-12 youth.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

FIRST LEGO League Junior / FIRST LEGO League / FIRST Tech Challenge

1) Support Northern California FIRST robotics programs.

2) Provide educational workshops and classes to parents, educators, and youths.

3) Work with high schools to provide service learning opportunities for mentoring younger students in technology-based, educational clubs.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

Robotics Makerspace devoted to supporting the under-resourced and under-served youth teams involved in FIRST Robotic programs

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Adults

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of students showing interest in topics related to STEM

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

FIRST LEGO League Junior / FIRST LEGO League / FIRST Tech Challenge

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Playing At Learning is committed to increasing the number of young people pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers.

We have partnered with the international nonprofit, FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to offer affordable, fun, sustainable design-based team challenges that have been shown to be effective.

There are 3 FIRST program age levels, according to their developmental stage:

• FIRST LEGO League Junior (grades K-4)
• FIRST LEGO League (grades 4-8)
• FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7-12)

As youth progress through each level, they take on more and more complex STEM challenges and act as role models for younger teams.

We have passionate volunteers, and valued partnerships that enable us to grow our programs.

• FIRST LEGO League served over 5,000 4-8 graders last year
• FIRST LEGO League Junior served over 250 K-3 graders last year
• FIRST Tech Challenge served over 2,000 7-12 graders last year
• Engaged over 3000 volunteers in a variety of staff, team and event support

FIRST programs have been proven to work:
• Young people that participate are more likely to pursue engineering and other STEM-based degrees as compared to their peers that do not participate in FIRST programs.

We envision a future where more of our young people grow up wanting to be STEM leaders!

As one person coined, if FIRST is a "sports for the mind", this is the only sport where everyone can turn pro! We will continue doing our part to close the digital divide that results in those from lower socio-economic areas being under-served and under-represented in STEM -based careers.

Financials

Playing At Learning
lock

Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan.

Subscribe

Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more about GuideStar Pro.

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Playing At Learning

Board of directors
as of 06/10/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Jill Wilker

Jill Wilker

No Affiliation

Mark Edelman

Spencer Greene

Rathish Jayabharathi

Suds Jain

Sandy Yu

Heather VanCura

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 6/10/2023
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 06/10/2023

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.