PLATINUM2022

Unified Progress International Education Inc

UNLEASHING THE POWER INSIDE

aka UPI Loan Fund   |   Phoenix, AZ   |  https://upiloanfund.us

Mission

Our Core Purpose 1. To prepare youth & teens for living successfully in the world. 2. To ensure that people of color have fair access to capital. OUR MISSION 1. Improving and sustaining a healthy global community through the advancement of UPI Life Skills Solutions™ and a culture of human kindness. 2. Level the financial playing field allowing people of color to thrive via the UPI Loan Fund. OUR VISION 1. To ensure that every young person has the opportunity to “Unleash the Power Inside" themselves and become self-assured, educated citizens and successful role models for their peers and future generations of our global community. 2. To ensure that all people have viable fair access to capital for personal and business activities.

Notes from the nonprofit

1. UPI Education was founded in 2004 with a Life Skills Solutions(TM) curriculum taught as an accredited high school class and as an after-school program conducted by UPI trained volunteers. We expanded our life skills program to include a 6 and 8 week Leadership Summer Camp for male and female teens. We then established a camp for male youth of color i.e. My Brother's Keeper. We have sponsored community plays with community youth and adults as actors and during the summer of 2017 we provided a STEM Summer Camp in partnership for students (Ages 5-18) on the main campus of Arizona State University. We will continue to offer the above as we look to expand into Early Childhood/Wellness. 2. We have established the UPI LOAN FUND as a Division of UPI . The UPI Loan Fund will provide people of color with much needed access to capital at low interest rates.

Ruling year info

2005

Founder, President, CEO

Mr. Frank Edward Crump

Main address

1301 East Washington Street, Suite 104

Phoenix, AZ 85034 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

31-1835495

NTEE code info

Youth Development Programs (O50)

Citizenship Programs, Youth Development (O54)

Arts Education/Schools (A25)

IRS filing requirement

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

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Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

UPI Education initially began in 2004 providing its Life Skills Solutions(TM) training program for middle, high school and college students. Likewise, we trained parents, teachers, mentors and caregivers to be better prepared in working with Gen X, Gen Z and today's children/youth. After 16 years of teaching Life Skills we realized that having life skills without access to capital is a no win situation. Thus, our work has expand to include the formation of the UPI Loan Fund, an African American led Community Development Loan Fund (CDLF) and Emerging Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), providing unbanked, under-banked, low/moderate income borrowers with a friendly alternative to predatory lenders. We include cloud-based Financial Wellness strategies to help borrowers achieve self-sufficiency as soon as possible.

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?

UPI Education Life Skills Solutions(TM) Training Curriculum for Ansonia Middle School

This project was a collaboration between the Ansonia Middle School of Ansonia, CT.; the Naugatuck Valley Boys and Girls Club; the US Golf Association (USGA) and UPI Education. The USGA Mentoring Program evolves around the game of golf while the UPI Life Skills Solutions 12-week life skills curriculum training program served as the educational componet for this project.

Population(s) Served
Students
At-risk youth

As Consultant, UPI established cohesion between Southside community members and local leadership by using a Temperament Sorter, entitled True Colors, that was designed to determine each participants, Awareness about personality types by color orientation and to validate the need and importance of respecting everyones input to the session. The shared acceptance and application of this technique set the stage for an effective Focus session that produced exciting and meaningful cross- generational dialogue. The primary Objective was to create structured activities that would lead to the recruitment of new members and potential leaders to share in this venerable process and to take ownership in improving some of the conditions of this impoverished community.

Population(s) Served
Adults

The UPI Education "Train the Trainer” sessions engaged prospective UPI Facilitators in a series of workshops that exposed them to the overall UPI Mission, Curriculum and group development dynamics necessary to implement the UPI Life Skills Solutions™ program at local public and charter schools. Our goal was to maximize the experience and competence of each Trainee by increasing their general awareness about the gradual shifting in the social and public service paradigm from "Youth at Risk” to the new millennium paradigm of "Youth Development Continuum”. Where the ‘At Risk’ philosophy emphasizes a young person’s vulnerability to social deprivation i.e. Domestic & Gang Violence, Drug Abuse, Premature Sexual Involvement, Teen Pregnancy and Poverty-Criminal Habituation as ‘Human Deficits’ we recognize that all Young People possess latent ‘Human Assets’ that when nurtured and mentored through the individual and collective efforts of parents and caring adults, it provides opportunities for Youth & Teens to empower themselves.

Population(s) Served
Parents
Caregivers

Unified Progress International (UPI) Education effectively implemented a 20-week, Life Skill Solutions™ Character Education and Leadership Training program, for the entire 6th grade at Cloves Campbell Sr. Elementary School (Phoenix, AZ). Arizona State University partnered with UPI on this project providing video filming and editing expertise.
UPI facilitated five (5) classes of sixth graders combining for a total of 75 students {Approximately (15) students per class}. Class time consisted of forty-five (45) minutes for each normal school week; over a 20-week period during normal school hours.

Population(s) Served
Students
At-risk youth

- UPI was invited by, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Washington office) and TV Host Steve Harvey, to provide a UPI Life Skills Solutions™ seminar for single Mothers during a 3-Day Steve Harvey "Minority Male and their Single Mom’s” Symposium, held on Steve Harvey’s ranch in Little Elm, TX.

Population(s) Served
Men and boys
Adolescents

UPI will conduct a 5.5 week Summer Teen Leadership Camp in Partnership with Arizona State University; the Carver Museum of Phoenix; and the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department i.e. (Project Brave) (Harmon Park Recreation Center) and (Camp Colley). Teens age, 13-18 and three generations of adults (ages 25-30, 40-50 and 55-70) participated.

Population(s) Served
Ethnic and racial groups
Adolescents

We conducted a one-day seminar in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday and President Obama's call for action re. My Brother's Keeper. The seminar was free to the public and included poetry, readings from key speeches made by Dr. King and spiritual song selections as provided by a local choir.

Population(s) Served
Men and boys
Adolescents

This 8 week summer camp was designed to teach leadership skills to male teens (14-18 years of age). The program was based upon 10 Principals of Leadership. UPI's U-Team members conducted the training along with prominent members from the community who provided TED-Talk like sessions relative to the related topic and their personal life and work experiences. The program culminated with a graduation ceremony for parents, family and friends co-sponsored by Maricopa Community Colleges.

Population(s) Served
Men and boys
Adolescents

STEM education provides a unique opportunity for Arizona to tackle an unemployment problem that threatens the state's future economy viability. The Komputer Kids STEM Locomotion Summer Camp, held on six consecutive Saturdays from June 24 to August 5th, 2017, at the Arizona State University, Lattie F. Coor Hall in Tempe, Arizona, engaged, educated and excited 116 students (2nd-11th grades) about STEM careers. This camp differs from most, in that our students learn how to Design and Code, instead of just Drag and Drop. Our methodology focuses on teaching skills that enhance logic, critical thinking and problem solving, while teaching students to write basic computer programs from scratch. The workshops were hosted by three local nonprofits-- KomputerED Tools, UPI Education, and Linking Sports & Communities (LSC).

Population(s) Served
At-risk youth
Multiracial people

Pilot program - training senior managers from A New Leaf, Mesa Arizona. Training was designed to help the managers in their work with Foster youth.

Population(s) Served
Adults
At-risk youth

Where we work

Awards

Top-Rated Great Nonprofits 2015

Great Nonprofits

Top-Rated Great NonprofitsGreat Nonprofits 2016

Great Nonprofits

Top-Rated Platinum 2017

Great Nonprofits

Top-Rated Platinum 2018

Great Nonprofits

Top-Rated Platinum 2019

Great Nonprofits

Top-Rated Platinum 2021

Great Nonprofits

Affiliations & memberships

Vitalyst Health Foundation 2016

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 free participants in conferences

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adults

Related Program

Character Education and Community Leadership

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Partners and programs under the UPI Education umbrella account for approximately three to four thousand touches per year in providing services (life skills training, summer camps, STEM, lectures, etc

Number of children who have the ability to understand and comprehend communication

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Non-adult children

Related Program

Character Education and Community Leadership

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Total number of free admissions

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adults

Related Program

Character Education and Community Leadership

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.

Our Vision is to provide affordable loans in support of low/moderate income communities, especially African American and people of color. We look to transform Capitalism into Humanism. We provide a unique behavioral approach in providing loans and financial wellness services to underserved communities. Our aim is to expand and grow nationally while eliminating the need for Payday and Title Loan lenders who charge borrowers 200%-400% in interest and fees.

UPI's Strategies are:

1. We have already formed two contractual Partnerships with like-minded organizations located in different parts of the country, thereby creating two additional outlets for lending purposes to their unbanked, under-banked low to moderate income communities respectively.

2. We have applied for US Treasury certification to become a Community Development Financial Institution, which will enhance our ability to raise additional capital for lending and in-house technical assistance.

3. Our marketing company has created a meaningful Press Kit for marketing purposes.

4. We have begun to approach Foundations, Corporations, Banks and Municipalities for financial / partnership support of our efforts and we anticipate positive results.

5. We have and will continue to speak to large groups and via media/podcast interviews about our work (providing low cost loans and financial literacy) with the nation's poorer communities.

6. We will continue to build our board of advisors and supporters to enhance our ability to meet our goals and objectives.

UPI's current organizational capabilities which allow us to address and meet our goals consist of:

UPI MANAGEMENT and ADVISORS - A capable UPI Management team, Board of Directors, Board of Advisors and Partners that has been cultivated over the past 17 years; consist of some of the best leadership minds, and skilled practitioners in the areas of finance, nonprofit, behavioral health, political science, business, social media, human resource development and faith-based categories, each sharing concern for the well-being and success of underserved communities.

UPI BOARD of DIRECTORS - Consist of a cross-sectional mixture of professionals dedicated to the success, growth and good governance of UPI.

UPI BOARD of ADVISORS (local and international members) - provide immediate advice and suggestions relative to their respective areas of expertise.

UPI LEGAL, ACCOUNTING and MEDIA REPRESENTATION - Insures compliance, professional advice and good governance.


1. We have already formed two contractual Partnerships with like-minded organizations located in different parts of the country, thereby creating two additional outlets for lending purposes to their unbanked, under-banked low to moderate income communities respectively.

2. We have applied for US Treasury certification to become a Community Development Financial Institution, which will enhance our ability to raise additional capital for lending and in-house technical assistance.

3. Our marketing company has created a meaningful Press Kit for marketing purposes.

4. We have begun to approach Foundations, Corporations, Banks and Municipalities for financial / partnership support of our efforts and we anticipate positive results.

5. We have and will continue to speak to large groups and via media/podcast interviews about our work (providing low cost loans and financial literacy) with the nation's poorer communities.

6. We will continue to build our board of advisors and supporters to enhance our ability to meet our goals and objectives.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • Who are the people you serve with your mission?

    We serve the unbanked, underbanked, low to moderate income communities providing low cost business and consumer loans as well as financial literacy educations and life skills.

  • How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?

    Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Community meetings/Town halls, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees,

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,

  • What significant change resulted from feedback?

    In conducting our UPI Train The Trainer Life Skills Solutions(tm) Training, feedback indicated that we should expand the program from 2 days to 4 days given the depth of the training provided. As we began the start-up of the UPI Loan Fund feedback indicated that we should consider the formation of a Community Development Loan Fund (CDFI) via the US Treasury Department.

  • With whom is the organization sharing feedback?

    Our staff, Our board, Our community partners,

  • How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?

    Asking for feedback from the people we serve enables them to feel and become part of our organization. We take their feedback seriously and when appropriate we act upon the thoughts, ideas and comments generated by those we serve.

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback,

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback,

Financials

Unified Progress International Education Inc

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Operations

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

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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.

Unified Progress International Education Inc

Board of directors
as of 07/02/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mr. Christian Smith

Retired Pharmacist

Term: 2021 - 2025

FRANK Edward CRUMP

UPI Education

MAXINE HILL

RETIRED - EDUCATOR

SHARON SIMPSON

CONSULTANT

MICHAEL TUCKER

CONSULTANT

STEWART COLGATE

CONSULTANT

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? Yes
  • 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 6/30/2022

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

Leadership

No data

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 06/30/2022

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 use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.