Equal Start
EIN: 81-2040395
Mission
To provide low-income families of Platte County an equal and safe opportunity for school readiness by enriching physical, mental and social well-being.
Ruling year
2016
Board President
Kristian Allen
Main address
5925 110th Street
Kansas City, MO 64153 USA
EIN
81-2040395
Education
Health care access
Family services
Youth organizing
Population served
Children and youth
Adults
Families
Low-income people
NTEE code
Family Services (P40)
Youth Development Programs (O50)
Youth Development Programs (O50)
IRS subsection
501(c)(3) Public Charity
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.
Tax forms
Communication
Programs and results
Reports and documents
Download annual reportsWhat we aim to solve
Poverty remains an important influence on school readiness, partly through its influence on many of the observed differences between poor and more affluent families. So much that 48% of poor children are ready for school at age five, compared to 75% of children from families with moderate and high income, a 27% point gap. Our goal is that every child that starts school is physically, socially and mentally ready to learn and succeed no matter their financial circumstances.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Platte County Back to School Fair (BTSF)
Established in 1999, the Platte County Back to School Fair (BTSF) has been providing a wide variety of resources which enables all vulnerable students of Platte County school districts begin the school year ready to learn and succeed. The Platte County Back to School Fair to date has served over 15,500 children in need. Each year we provide back-to-school resources, health screenings, and information from local organizations, such as Miles of Smiles, Assistance League of KC, Northland Health Care Access, Hillcrest, Tri-County Mental Health to name a few. All of these services are provided through the support of community partners and volunteers who focus on meeting the physical, social, mental and financial well-being of at-risk students. The BTSF is run entirely by volunteers and community partners. By ensuring that children in need have the tools necessary to learn, we are helping develop the whole child.
Northland Mother's Day 5K
The Northland Mother's Day 5K is our annual signature fundraising event for Equal Start. The event will raise money to purchase school supplies for children in need at the Platte County BTSF held in August. Designed by Runners for Runners. Certified 5K course at the beautiful English Landing Park in Parkville, MO.
Website: www.equalstart.org
When: Saturday before Mother's Day
Where: FAMILY FUN CERTIFIED 5K COURSE at ENGLISH LANDING PARK
Join us for:
Face Painting, Kids Fun Run Dash with Prizes, Selfie Station, Food, and more!
Awards for overall male & female winners. Finisher Medals awarded.
Race T-shirts -- be sure to register by May 1st to guarantee your shirt!
Adult Registration $35.00 Students 18 & Under $15.00
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of children who have the skills necessary to maintain personal health
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Low-income people
Related Program
Platte County Back to School Fair (BTSF)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
2020- numbers low due to COVID-19
Number of free participants on field trips
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Platte County Back to School Fair (BTSF)
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
In the next 5 years, one of our goals is to raise more funds to be able to help more children in need. Currently, with our funds, we are able to serve 900 children, but over 4000 children qualify. Another goal would be to continue to grow our great community partnerships and volunteer base. Equal Start would not exist without community volunteers and partners. We solely depend on them year to year. We know we are successful by hearing the success stories from parents and school staff. Children enter the school year esteemed as they have a quality backpack filled with the same school supplies as their peers. They also have necessary medical, dental, and vision screenings. Through this, students are able to receive glasses that improve their ability to perform in school. Dental care improves a child's smile and self-esteem and also mitigates painful dental issues when present, improving overall health. The physicals allow students who might not otherwise be able to afford or access this service to participate in sports as well as monitor overall health. Students also benefit from the community resources that their parents gain from this event. It is well understood that if families can resolve barriers/stressors they are experiencing, the parents, as well as the children's level of functioning all improve.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Equal Start's program, the Platte County Back to School Fair strategies for accomplishing our goals consists of applying for grants and continuing to fundraise within our community, and to always be looking for opportunities to prosper our mission.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Equal Start's strengths are our community partners. Each year we provide back-to-school resources, health screenings, and information from local organizations, such as Miles of Smiles, Assistance League of KC, Northland Health Care Access, Platte County Health Department, Hillcrest, Tri-County Mental Health, YMCA to name a few. With the continued support from these great community stakeholders, we can accomplish the Back to School Fair program!
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
To date, we have helped over 17,088 vulnerable students start school physically, socially, and mentally ready to learn and succeed no matter their financial circumstances. We understand we won't reach every Platte County family, but we know many more could use our services as 4000 children are eligible. Families who are vulnerable will be able to benefit from Equal Start if more funds are available.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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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
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
From current feedback from the families we serve, we continue to add new community resources to our program each and every year. For example, employment opportunities were added due to our survey.
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
Financial documents
Download audited financialsFinancial data
Equal Start
Revenue & expensesFiscal Year: 2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
| Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Contributions, Grants, Gifts | $40,346 |
| Program Services | $0 |
| Membership Dues | $543 |
| Special Events | $7,300 |
| Other Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $57,461 |
| Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Program Services | $40,000 |
| Administration | $2,500 |
| Fundraising | $7,300 |
| Payments to Affiliates | $0 |
| Other Expenses | $0 |
| Total Expenses | $34,731 |
Equal Start
Balance sheetFiscal Year: 2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
| Assets | |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $0 |
| Liabilities | |
|---|---|
| Total Liabilities | $0 |
| Fund balance (EOY) | |
|---|---|
| Net Assets | $0 |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
Board President
Kristian Allen
There are no officers, directors or key employees recorded for this organization
There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.
Equal Start
Board of directorsas of 05/02/2023
Board of directors data
Mrs. Kristian Allen
Metro Umpires Kansas City
Term: 2020 - 2023
Mrs Jamie Parrett
Platte County Community Center North/YMCA
Term: 2021 - 2024
Stacy Benninghoff
Platte County Health Department
Sherrie Kisker
Platte County Health Department
Diane Nespory
Christ Chapel
Cindy Bond
Retired Teacher
Dan Runde
Exchange Bank
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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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
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
No data
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 12/23/2019GuideStar 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
- 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.
- 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.
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