GOLD2024

Project Onward

Chicago, IL   |  http://projectonward.org
GuideStar Charity Check

Project Onward

EIN: 45-5187731

Mission

Project Onward is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting career development for artists with mental and developmental disabilities. Operating as a studio and gallery, Project Onward provides access to workspace, art materials, and professional opportunities to artists who have exceptional abilities but face challenges ranging from autism to mental illness. Project Onward believes that artists with special needs deserve a voice in the world of art and ideas, and that their extraordinary work has a universal audience.

Ruling year info

2013

Executive Director

Nancy Gomez

Main address

1200 West 35th Street 4th Floor

Chicago, IL 60609-1305 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

45-5187731

Subject area info

Autism

Visual arts

Arts services

Population served info

People with disabilities

Adults

NTEE code info

Visual Arts Organizations (A40)

Arts Service Activities/Organizations (A90)

Autism (G84)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

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

Tax forms

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Our mission requires us to provide artists with disabilities the opportunity to create their work in a safe, supportive studio environment, with access to work space, materials, and professional guidance without being encumbered by cost; connect artists with disabilities with the arts community and the general public, by holding professional exhibitions and selling their work. Additionally, public programs have been designed that promote audience participation; and inspire change by using art to promote empathy and reduce the stigma of mental illness and developmental disabilities. We seek to improve the self-image of artists by emphasizing the social and economic value of their work. This will cultivate new audiences in the art market by increasing awareness of, and generating demand for artwork created by peoples with disabilities.

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?

Project Onward Art Studio

The studio program provides a range of services to visual artists living with mental and/or developmental disabilities, including access to workspace and free art materials, and individualized guidance from a team of professional artists. The studio program serves over 55 artists and is intended to facilitate the creation of a meaningful body of work for each individual, representing both artistic excellence and a source of income. Studio facilitators work with each artist to develop a business plan that addresses the individual's strengths and interests, includes measurable goals, and promotes access to the same professional opportunities as a typical working artist.

Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Adults

The exhibitions program showcases artwork by Project Onward artists in order to to raise visibility, generate income, and promote individual, foundation, and corporate giving for the organization. Exhibitions mounted in-house at the Project Onward Gallery, with numerous traveling and site-specific exhibitions taking place throughout the year. Free public programs (lectures, performances, film screenings) in conjunction with exhibitions to increase visibility, attract audience and expand donor base

Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Adults

Where we work

Affiliations & memberships

Charity Navigator 4 Star Rating 2023

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.

Inspire change by using art to promote empathy and reduce the stigma of mental illness and developmental disabilities. We seek to improve the self-image of artists by emphasizing the social and economic value of their work. This will cultivate new audiences in the art market by increasing awareness of, and generating demand for artwork created by peoples with disabilities.

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 shared information about our current feedback practices.

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

    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

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

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

Project Onward
Fiscal year: Jun 01 - May 31
Financial documents
Project Onward 2022 2022 2021 FY21 Project Onward Audit FYE Ending May 31, 2021 2020 2020 Audit FYE May 31, 2020 2019 2019 Audit FYE May 31 2019 2018 Project Onward
done  Yes, financials were audited by an independent accountant. info

Revenue vs. expenses:  breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info
NET GAIN/LOSS:    in 
Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2023 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

1.18

Average of 9.21 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2023 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

6.8

Average of 4.6 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2023 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

13%

Average of 16% over 10 years

Funding sources info

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities info

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Project Onward

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jun 01 - May 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

Fiscal year ending: cloud_download Download Data

Project Onward

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jun 01 - May 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: cloud_download Download Data

Project Onward

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Jun 01 - May 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

This snapshot of Project Onward’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

Created in partnership with

Fiscal year: Jun 01 - May 31 picture_as_pdf View full report cloud_downloadDownload data

Business model indicators

Profitability info 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation -$69,459 $184,090 $22,205 $2,479 $97,332
As % of expenses -17.3% 45.5% 5.2% 0.5% 13.6%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation -$69,572 $183,658 $21,459 $1,733 $83,537
As % of expenses -17.4% 45.3% 5.0% 0.3% 11.5%
Revenue composition info
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) $390,888 $569,120 $451,580 $602,661 $875,997
Total revenue, % change over prior year 6.4% 45.6% -20.7% 33.5% 45.4%
Program services revenue 47.0% 21.0% 24.7% 28.3% 17.6%
Membership dues 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Investment income 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.2%
Government grants 0.0% 2.8% 12.3% 13.9% 10.9%
All other grants and contributions 53.2% 73.3% 63.0% 57.8% 71.3%
Other revenue -0.2% 2.9% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Expense composition info
Total expenses before depreciation $400,347 $405,030 $429,375 $540,182 $714,728
Total expenses, % change over prior year 3.3% 1.2% 6.0% 25.8% 32.3%
Personnel 38.6% 45.9% 50.7% 51.0% 49.5%
Professional fees 2.4% 3.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.7%
Occupancy 23.5% 17.8% 18.1% 15.8% 16.3%
Interest 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Pass-through 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
All other expenses 35.5% 33.3% 31.2% 33.2% 33.5%
Full cost components (estimated) info 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Total expenses (after depreciation) $400,460 $405,462 $430,121 $540,928 $728,523
One month of savings $33,362 $33,753 $35,781 $45,015 $59,561
Debt principal payment $0 $0 $0 $40,500 $0
Fixed asset additions $0 $0 $2,238 $0 $39,146
Total full costs (estimated) $433,822 $439,215 $468,140 $626,443 $827,230

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity info 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Months of cash 1.0 6.6 7.5 5.3 6.8
Months of cash and investments 1.0 6.6 7.5 5.3 6.8
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets 0.6 6.0 6.2 5.0 4.8
Balance sheet composition info 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Cash $32,989 $224,365 $269,710 $238,821 $402,708
Investments $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Receivables $60,000 $62,000 $50,167 $100,000 $87,000
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) $1,979 $1,979 $4,218 $4,218 $43,364
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) 78.2% 100.0% 64.6% 82.3% 39.8%
Liabilities (as a % of assets) 16.1% 15.2% 18.3% 4.2% 42.0%
Unrestricted net assets $19,715 $203,373 $224,832 $226,565 $310,102
Temporarily restricted net assets $0 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Permanently restricted net assets $60,000 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Total restricted net assets $60,000 $40,000 $40,000 $100,000 $162,000
Total net assets $79,715 $243,373 $264,832 $326,565 $472,102

Key data checks

Key data checks info 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Material data errors No No No No No

Operations

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

Documents
Letter of Determination
Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

Executive Director

Nancy Gomez

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

Project Onward

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation
Other
Related
Show data for fiscal year
Compensation data
Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.

Project Onward

Board of directors
as of 01/18/2024
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board of directors data
Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization
Board co-chair

Robert Darnell

Project Onward

Term: 2020 - 2021


Board co-chair

Marsha Woodhouse

Wanda Lenoir

Robert Darnall

Bonnie McGrath

Carlos Maxwell

Velda Davino

Patricia Courson

Roark Frankel

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? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/10/2020
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
Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.

Equity strategies

Last updated: 01/10/2020

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 ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • 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 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 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.