PLATINUM2022

Learning Independence for Tomorrow Incorporated

Change a Life, Change the World.

aka LiFT Academy and LiFT University Transition Program   |   Seminole, FL   |  www.liftfl.org

Mission

To inspire and empower people with neurodiversity to learn, thrive, and succeed.

Notes from the nonprofit

Founded January 13, 2013, the mission of LiFT is to inspire and empower people with neurodiversity to learn, thrive and succeed. Our goal is to level the playing field for individuals with learning differences and neurodiversity. We provide our learners exceptional academics, life skills, career training, and opportunities to strengthen social skills and build meaningful friendships. We have a passion that each student comes to value and view their diversity as a gift to be celebrated. Equally important is for each student to respect the differences found in each other. LiFT has a strong culture of teamwork, collaboration, and dedication to improve the lives of others. We are driven by a desire to serve our students, our families, and our community. We strive to be thought leaders in the landscape of exceptional education and equal opportunities for those with neurodiversity. At LiFT, we seek to hire individuals who are committed to our mission and values, and who believe in the power

Ruling year info

2014

Executive Director

Mr. Shawn Naugle

Main address

13400 Park Blvd N

Seminole, FL 33776 USA

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EIN

46-1088977

NTEE code info

Specialized Education Institutions/Schools for Visually or Hearing Impaired, Learning Disabled (B28)

Elementary, Secondary Ed (B20)

Vocational Rehabilitation (includes Job Training and Employment for Disabled and Elderly) (J30)

IRS filing requirement

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

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

To provide challenging academics in an inclusive environment for students with neurodiversity to learn, thrive, and succeed.

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?

LiFT Academy

LiFT Academy is a nonprofit, private school dedicated to nurturing students in grades K-12 by providing accommodations, low student to teacher ratios and small class sizes, so students may succeed academically and socially in order to achieve their maximum potential.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

LiFT provides post-secondary education, job skills training, community internships, and employment experience to students with neurodiversity (ages 18-22 in the Transition Program) and ages 23 and above in the Day Program.

Population(s) Served
Older adults
Young adults

Where we work

Affiliations & memberships

National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) 2021

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 academic scholarships awarded

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

Children, Adolescents, Young adults, Low-income people, Working poor

Related Program

LiFT Academy

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Estimated number of funding dollars secured for the sector

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

Older adults, Young adults, Adolescents, Children, Caregivers

Related Program

LiFT Academy

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of grants and research funding awarded to the institution

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

Older adults, Young adults, Children, Adolescents, Families

Related Program

LiFT Academy

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

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.

The mission of LiFT is to inspire and empower people with neurodiversity to learn, thrive, and succeed. Over the next 3 years, our goals are to focus on 3 priority areas: 1) Empowering People; 2) Financial Independence; 3) Community.

Through the collaborative efforts with our students, families, board members, and giving community, LiFT seeks to create a world where independence is possible for the neurodiverse. Through a comprehensive approach to financial sustainability, community outreach efforts, and a diversified fundraising plan, LiFT seeks to expand our footprint in our community to help more students and families in need in our community. At LiFT, we seek to think global and act local because at LiFT we believe that when you Change a Life, you can Change the World.

LiFT has increased its enrollment by more than 700% since opening our doors in January 2013. We aspire to double our current enrollment of 150+ per year over the next 2-3 years with the procurement of a new campus where we can offer more robust services to meet the needs of our students and their families.

LiFT has launched the Virtual Family Resource Center to connect students, families, and community members to valuable resources in the community. In addition, LiFT is preparing to launch a capital campaign having hired our Development Director in March 2021.

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?

    LiFT receives regular, ongoing feedback through surveys and feedback forums provided to all students, families, team members, and board members.

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

    Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Community meetings/Town halls, Suggestion box/email,

  • 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?

    After completing a Culture Survey through Johns Hopkins Research University for LiFT, LiFT established a Staff Advisory Committee to strengthen the communication between Leadership, the teachers, and the families.

  • With whom is the organization sharing feedback?

    The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,

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

    It has provided improved and more frequent communication amongst all stakeholders for the benefit of the organization.

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

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, 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,

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

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

Financials

Learning Independence for Tomorrow Incorporated
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Operations

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

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

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  • 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.

Learning Independence for Tomorrow Incorporated

Board of directors
as of 10/31/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Keli Mondello

Learning Independence for Tomorrow, Inc.

Term: 2013 -


Board co-chair

Kim Kuruzovich

LiFT Inc.

Term: 2020 -

Sergio Cadavid

Retired

Elliad Granger

Jabil

Matt Rich

UBS

Kyle Maxson

Progressive

Amy Maguire

Shumaker Advisors

Keli Mondello

LiFT Inc.

Kim Kuruzovich

LiFT Inc.

Shawn Naugle

LiFT Inc.

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 ? Yes
  • 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? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/26/2022

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 01/26/2022

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 review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • 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.