Africa Education Partnership

Promoting peace and reconciliation through education

aka Africa Education Partnership, Inc. | SOUTH WINDSOR, CT | www.africaep.org

GuideStar Charity Check

EIN: 27-4082470

Contributions tax deductible
as of March 2023

IRS BMF 509(a)(1)
as of March 13, 2023

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Charity Check report

Mission

Africa Education Partnership believes that the future success of Nigeria lies in a high quality education for all children regardless of gender, religion, or ethnicity. It is our mission to work with individuals, community groups, and organizations that share our goal and to provide funding for the construction and annual operating costs of of schools that embrace this vision. We help to provide safe learning environments by building and renovating schools, providing safety walls, and constructing wells and toilets. We also help to provide playground and sports equipment. In addition, we meet with teachers and students to share materials, ideas, and problem-solve during our yearly trips (when possible).

Notes from the nonprofit

We are an all-volunteer nonprofit working in a very challenging part of the world. For a small group, we have made large impacts in two areas. There is much work to be done. Our challenge is making people understand the key position Nigeria has in Africa and why we should be involved there.

Ruling year info

2014

President

Mr. Donald Ghostlaw

Mrs.

Elaine Chagnon

Main address

99 SAND HILL RD

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT 06074 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

27-4082470

Subject area info

Equal opportunity in education

Elementary and secondary education

Computer literacy

Early childhood education

Education services

Population served info

Children and youth

Adolescents

Girls

NTEE code info

Educational Services and Schools - Other (B90)

Elementary, Secondary Ed (B20)

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

Show Forms 990

Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview.

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?

Graceland International School

Graceland International School was Africa Education Partnership's first project in northern Nigeria, started in 2011. Now, the school is home to about 400 students, half of which are girls. The campus has three buildings: one primary classroom block, one secondary classroom block, and a two-story building housing an exam hall, computer lab, library, teachers' work room, and administrative offices.

Currently under construction are two dormitories, one for girls and one for boys. in between the two structures is a kitchen/dining hall framed out. This addition will allow students in outlying areas to continue their education.
We are working closely and proactively with our partners and security advisors to provide the safest environment possible for our future residential students.
Together, we are also working to solve the water issues facing this area of northern Nigeria.

Population(s) Served

Children and youth

Girls

Boys

Kafanchan School Renovations

There are seven schools in the Kafanchan district, all in need of major renovations and supplies. In addition, a growing population of students requires new construction of classroom blocks in several locations.
We are working with our partners in Kafanchan to provide for their great needs; they are dedicated to providing a quality education for all of their students.
In addition to building construction and renovation, we are providing wells and toilets, assisting with construction of safety walls, and providing educational materials.
At this point in time, we have completely renovated two rural schools as well as providing them with wells and toilets. In addition, we have rebuilt an exam hall at a third site and built a new classroom block at a fourth school.

Population(s) Served

Children and youth

Boys

Girls

Where we work

External reviews

Photos

Videos

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 enrolled

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Kafanchan School Renovations

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

These figures represent increase in student population at two schools renovated in the Kafanchan region. 2020 figures were unavailable due to the pandemic. Third school renovations underway.

Number of schools established in rural communities

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Economically disadvantaged people, People of African descent

Related Program

Kafanchan School Renovations

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

2019: 2 buildings renovated at Kogum River 2020: 1 building completed at Jagindi Tasha 2021: new building at Jagindi Tasha 2022: dorm complex at Graceland International School

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.

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

Africa Education Partnership works in several locations in northern Nigeria with established partners to help improve access to education for girls and boys of all faiths, socio-economic groups, and ethnicity.
Established in 2009, Africa Education Partnership was founded to help fulfill the vision of Bishop John Danbinta to provide a quality education to all children. In a part of the world where education lags behind, providing educational access is critical for all children.

After meeting and planning with our partners, AEP raises funds for both new construction and renovation of existing structures. In addition, each school site is also provided with a borehole and toilets. In addition, perimeter walls are constructed for safety. Lastly, playground equipment can also be provided, along with teacher materials and workshops when AEP is on-ground.

We believe that the future of Nigeria lies in the education of its children. Education provides a way out of poverty, teaches collaboration and understanding, and raises up problem-solvers and innovators for tomorrow.

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

Africa Education Partnership believes in the following:

1. It is important to know our partners well as friends.
2. There must be a solid level of trust in decision-making.
3. AEP considers recommendations from partners as to next projects as opposed to directing construction, in a truly collaborative fashion.
4. While the board members are all volunteers, AEP has hired a media specialist for website development and projecting a presence on social media including FaceBook, Twitter, and Buffer.
5. Prior to Covid, major fundraisers were held every three years. Now, we have presented several times to groups via Zoom to continue to raise awareness and funds.
6. Many of our donors are loyal friends. We are working at expanding our fundraising into the realm of grant-writing.
7. We have worked with several other non-profits to further funding opportunities and raise awareness.

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

AEP has dedicated, volunteer board members who have worked together for many years. Tasks are delineated and shared. Our board is represented by members in Connecticut and Ohio.

We are currently in the search for additional board members and are working with an area high school and have recruited two recruit junior board members. It is our hope to instill a passion for our work in young men and women so that they might someday carry on the mission.

We have several benefactors who have been more than generous with donations, especially when our funds have been depleted. We are also expanding into grant-writing.

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

Zamfara State, Nigeria

2013: Building 1 of Graceland International School completed: new construction, 2-story structure for secondary students, complete with toilets
2014: Building 2 of GIS completed: new construction, L-shaped structure for primary students
2015: Building 3 of GIS started: new construction, 2-story exam hall; borehole dug
2016: Perimeter wall completed; GIS accredited and sanctioned as a regional testing center for WAEC exams
2018: Exam hall completed: Floor 1- computer lab, library, workroom, administrative offices; Floor 2-exam hall
2020: Entire campus outfitted with techo-blocks to keep down the dust prevalent in that region
2021: New construction starts on girls' and boys' dormitories, kitchen, and dining hall
2022: Dormitory construction in the last phases with a 2023 projected opening for 100 additional students.

Kaduna State, Nigeria

2018: Fact-finding trip to 5 school sites housing 7 schools
2019: Complete renovation of 2 classroom blocks at Kogum River School along with provision of borehole; complete renovation of all-purpose hall at Kafanchan School; provided 300 2-person desks for various schools
2020: Finished a classroom block at Jagindi Tasha, started by our partners, by providing a roof and interior work;
provision of toilets and a borehole at Jagindi Tasha School; provided boreholes for rural villages of Antung and Aching
2021: Completed new construction classroom block at Jagindi Tasha School; provided 200 additional 2-person student desks
2022: New construction begins at Godogodo School for new buildings to replace chicken coop currently used as classrooms.

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.

We shared information about our current feedback practices.

Who are the people you serve with your mission?

We serve two dioceses in northern Nigeria, each with their own bishops. Each bishop has his own school board and building committee. Through our work with them, we serve rural school children by providing new schools, wells for clean water, toilets, security walls, and educational supplies. As a result, we are also serving the the wider communities who also benefit.
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
What significant change resulted from feedback?

Working in Nigeria is difficult for various reasons. Communication can easily be misread/misunderstood based on cultural norms and assumptions made by both parties. We had some miscommunication regarding plans for a very large project. There was resulting tensions due to cost overruns. We had lengthy dialogue with our partners and decided to put everything in writing to email back and forth until every detail was understood by both parties. This may seem like a small thing but it has reduced our assumptions and made the path smoother for all.
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, 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?

Our feedback is verbal through discussion and takes time

Financials

Africa Education Partnership

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

Financial documents

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

NET GAIN/LOSS: in

Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Financial data

Source: IRS Form 990

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Africa Education Partnership

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Revenue
Contributions	$43,550
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$43,550

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$0
Other Expenses	$46,920
Total Expenses	$46,920
Net Gain/Loss	($3,370)

Revenue
Contributions	$49,788
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$49,788

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$0
Other Expenses	$39,374
Total Expenses	$39,374
Net Gain/Loss	$10,414

Revenue
Contributions	$62,468
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$62,468

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$2,500
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$0
Other Expenses	$56,189
Total Expenses	$58,689
Net Gain/Loss	$3,779

Revenue
Contributions	$43,430
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$43,430

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$6,122
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$0
Other Expenses	$56,608
Total Expenses	$62,730
Net Gain/Loss	($19,300)

Revenue
Contributions	$27,466
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$27,466

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$1,762
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$0
Other Expenses	$18,082
Total Expenses	$19,844
Net Gain/Loss	$7,622

Revenue
Contributions	$84,690
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$84,690

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$1,306
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$0
Other Expenses	$79,194
Total Expenses	$80,500
Net Gain/Loss	$4,190

Revenue
Contributions	$82,795
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$82,795

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$1,360
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$0
Other Expenses	$59,472
Total Expenses	$60,832
Net Gain/Loss	$21,963

Africa Education Partnership

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

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: Download Data

Assets	Jan 01, 2014	Dec 31, 2014	Change
Contributions	$43,550
Cash & Equivalents	$21,506	$17,411	($4,095)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$725	$725
Total Assets	$21,506	$18,136	($3,370)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2014	Dec 31, 2014	Change
Total Liabilities	$0	$0	$0

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2014	Dec 31, 2014	Change
Net Assets	$21,506	$18,136	($3,370)

Assets	Jan 01, 2015	Dec 31, 2015	Change
Contributions	$49,788
Cash & Equivalents	$17,411	$27,950	$10,539
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$725	$600	($125)
Total Assets	$18,136	$28,550	$10,414

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2015	Dec 31, 2015	Change
Total Liabilities	$0	$0	$0

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2015	Dec 31, 2015	Change
Net Assets	$18,136	$28,550	$10,414

Assets	Jan 01, 2016	Dec 31, 2016	Change
Contributions	$62,468
Cash & Equivalents	$30,688	$34,623	$3,935
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$600	$445	($155)
Total Assets	$31,288	$35,068	$3,780

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2016	Dec 31, 2016	Change
Total Liabilities	$4,695	$4,696	$1

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2016	Dec 31, 2016	Change
Net Assets	$26,593	$30,372	$3,779

Assets	Jan 01, 2017	Dec 31, 2017	Change
Contributions	$43,430
Cash & Equivalents	$34,623	$15,478	($19,145)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$445	$290	($155)
Total Assets	$35,068	$15,768	($19,300)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2017	Dec 31, 2017	Change
Total Liabilities	$4,696	$3,500	($1,196)

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2017	Dec 31, 2017	Change
Net Assets	$30,372	$12,268	($18,104)

Assets	Jan 01, 2018	Dec 31, 2018	Change
Contributions	$27,466
Cash & Equivalents	$15,478	$23,255	$7,777
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$290	$135	($155)
Total Assets	$15,768	$23,390	$7,622

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2018	Dec 31, 2018	Change
Total Liabilities	$3,500	$900	($2,600)

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2018	Dec 31, 2018	Change
Net Assets	$12,268	$22,490	$10,222

Assets	Jan 01, 2019	Dec 31, 2019	Change
Contributions	$84,690
Cash & Equivalents	$23,255	$27,579	$4,324
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$135	$0	($135)
Total Assets	$23,390	$27,579	$4,189

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2019	Dec 31, 2019	Change
Total Liabilities	$900	$900	$0

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2019	Dec 31, 2019	Change
Net Assets	$22,490	$26,679	$4,189

Assets	Jan 01, 2020	Dec 31, 2020	Change
Contributions	$82,795
Cash & Equivalents	$27,579	$49,542	$21,963
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$27,579	$49,542	$21,963

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2020	Dec 31, 2020	Change
Total Liabilities	$900	$900	$0

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2020	Dec 31, 2020	Change
Net Assets	$26,679	$48,642	$21,963

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

President

Mr. Donald Ghostlaw

Don is a practicing attorney specializing in non-patent intellectual property matters, with a focus on technology clients. He has a B.S. in Computer Science from Boston College and a J.D. from Western New England College School of Law. Don is a member of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York state bars, practicing for nearly 30 years. In addition, Don serves on the board of the Rob Branham Foundation, a non-profit organization serving leukemia patients and their families. He has traveled several times to Nigeria and was instrumental in founding Africa Education Partnership. Don is married with one son.

Mrs.

Elaine Chagnon

Elaine has a Master's Degree in Special Education from Westfield State University. She is retired after a 35 year career, working for the Capitol Region Education Council and the Granby Public Schools in Connecticut. In addition to serving as a special educator, Elaine also served the Granby Public Schools as a consultant for grades 7-12. Elaine is married to husband, Bob for 45 years. They share two children, Nathaniel and Andrea, son-in-law Brad, and three lively granddaughters. Elaine treasures her "second families" in Nigeria, having completed ten trips. Her focus is to check the progress of the various school projects, provide opportunities for teacher dialogue and sharing of materials and ideas, and spending time with our partners to prioritize needs. She has been involved with the organization since its beginning in 2009.

Africa Education Partnership

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

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.

Africa Education Partnership

Board of directors
as of 02/28/2023

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

Mr. Donald Ghostlaw

Africa Education Partnership

Term: 2009 -

Board co-chair

Mrs. Elaine Chagnon

Africa Education Partnership

Term: 2010 -

Angela Dimezza

Paul Frank

Emeritus

Amjad Samuel

Peter Dewberry

Robert Chagnon

Barbara Hoff

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? Not applicable
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
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? Not applicable
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Not applicable
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 2/28/2023

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

Male, Not transgender (cisgender)

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual or straight

Disability status

Decline to state

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity

White/Caucasian/European

Gender identity

Female

Sexual orientation

Decline to state

Disability status

Decline to state

Africa Education Partnership

Promoting peace and reconciliation through education

Mission

Is this your nonprofit?

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

Our programs

Graceland International School

Kafanchan School Renovations

Where we work

Our results

Evaluation documents

Number of students enrolled

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Number of schools established in rural communities

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Goals & Strategy

Charting impact

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

How we listen

Financials

Financial documents

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

Financial data

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Africa Education Partnership

Africa Education Partnership

Operations

Documents

President

Mr. Donald Ghostlaw

Mrs.

Elaine Chagnon

Africa Education Partnership

Compensation data

Africa Education Partnership

Board of directors data

Mr. Donald Ghostlaw

Mrs. Elaine Chagnon

Board leadership practices

Board orientation and education

CEO oversight

Ethics and transparency

Board composition

Board performance

Organizational demographics

Leadership

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Sexual orientation

Disability