Impact & Measurement
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
Dream Project Inc.
Arlington VA | IRS ruling year: 2012 | EIN: 45-1869894 
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.Organization Mission
DREAM PROJECTS EMPOWERS STUDENTS WHOSE IMMIGRATION STATUS CREATES BARRIERS TO EDUCATION BY WORKING WITH THEM TO ACCESS AND SUCCEED IN COLLEGE THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, M ... (More)
Rating Information
Great
This charity's score is 90%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 35% Accountability & Finance, 44% Impact & Measurement, 9% Leadership & Adaptability, 12% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
Historical Ratings 
Historical Ratings 
Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Measurement. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
Rating Report
Accountability & Finance
Score
73
Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2022
FY 2022
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Key Accountability Metrics
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No CreditMajority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members8 out of 8 points
Majority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members8 out of 8 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. We check to see that a majority of board members are identified as independent on their tax form.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Board Size - 19 independent members7 out of 7 points
Independent Board Size - 19 independent members7 out of 7 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three independent board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Statements - None0 out of 15 points
Financial Statements - None0 out of 15 points
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
| $2 million or higher and 40% or higher donor support | Expected to complete an audit and have an audit oversight committee |
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Material Diversion of Assets - None10 out of 10 points
Material Diversion of Assets - None10 out of 10 points
A diversion of assets — any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.
Source: IRS Form 990
Tax Form Disclosures and Policies
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditWebsite Listed on Tax Form - Listed2 out of 2 points
Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed2 out of 2 points
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Missing0 out of 4 points
Whistleblower Policy - Missing0 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Missing0 out of 4 points
Document Retention and Destruction - Missing0 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes2 out of 2 points
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes2 out of 2 points
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website Disclosures
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditTax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Missing0 out of 4 points
Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Missing0 out of 4 points
For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditLiabilities to Assets: Ratio - 4.87%15 out of 15 points
Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 4.87%15 out of 15 points
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense: Ratio - 80.88%25 out of 25 points
Program Expense: Ratio - 80.88%25 out of 25 points
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Source: IRS Form 990
Additional Information
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Karen Vallejos, Exexutive Director
$29,649
Dawn Cutler, Board Member
$0
Nataly Montano Vargas, Board Member
$0
Roxana Montano, Board Member
$0
Mark Habeeb, Vice Chair
$0
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2022
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage accountability and finance data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Dream Project Inc.) or EIN (451869894) in the 'Search Term' field.
Impact & Measurement
Score
100
This beacon estimates the actual impact a charity has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Assessments
Impact
100 out of 100 points
100% of Impact & Measurement score
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditImpact Determination - Highly Cost Effective100 out of 100 points
Impact Determination - Highly Cost Effective100 out of 100 points
Impact Statement
$3,116 increases income for a scholarship recipient by $4,260
Program Context
The nonprofit grants scholarships to beneficiaries.
Data Time Period
7/1/20 to 6/30/21
Benchmark for Scoring
Impact scores of postsecondary scholarship programs are based on income generated relative to cost. Programs receive an Impact score of 100 if they increase income for a recipient by more than $1.25 for every $1 spent and a score of 80 if income increases by more than $0.80 for every $1 spent. If a nonprofit reports impact but doesn't meet the benchmark for cost-effectiveness, it earns a score of 65.
This nonprofit's cost per meal is less than 125% of the local meal cost.
Methodology
Nonprofit submission
Data Source
These data were submitted directly by the nonprofit.
Measurement
Unscored
0% of Impact & Measurement score
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditProgram Planning and Design - No data availableProgram Planning and Design - No data availableThis section assesses the use of crucial evaluation tools in program objective-setting and activities.
Program Development - No data availableProgram Development - No data availableThis section assesses the consideration of stakeholders in program objectives and activities.
Data Collection and Analysis - No data availableData Collection and Analysis - No data availableThis section assesses the best practices used in collecting and analyzing program data.
Reporting and Distribution of Results - No data availableReporting and Distribution of Results - No data availableThis section assesses reporting and disseminating program results.
Use of Results - No data availableUse of Results - No data availableThis section assesses the use of results to guide learning.
Culture & Community
Score
94
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditConstituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
Constituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
33.33% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. The methodology leveraged for Constituent Feedback is based on The Core Principles of Constituent Feedback, which describes listening and responding well to feedback. Charity Navigator participates in a consortium with other feedback experts and leading nonprofit infrastructure platforms to drive Constituent Feedback's advancement, promotion, and data collection.
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
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Equity Practices - Data Available91/100 points
Equity Practices - Data Available91/100 points
66.67% of beacon score
This organization's score of 91 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 10 Equity Practices.
This assessment demonstrates the importance of implementing practices that contribute positively to an organization's overall culture, both internally and with respect to community engagement. Furthermore, equity centered frameworks and similar approaches have drawn much attention from donors, experts, and sector leaders who underscore its value to the nonprofit's overall health and capacity for mission success. Currently, the Equity Strategies Checklist assessment consists of practices and policies that promote racial equity in their operations and programs (per the Equity Strategies checklist administered by Candid). As we refine our DEI assessment, Charity Navigator partners with DEI consultants and field experts to broaden and deepen this work.
| Equity Practices (4/7) | |
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 disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
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. | |
| Equity Policies and Procedures (6/7) | |
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
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 measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
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. | |
Leadership & Adaptability
Score
100
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
- Strategic Partnerships
- Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
- Thought Leadership
- Raising Awareness
- Community Building
- Policy Advocacy
Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditMission 10/10 points
Mission 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Vision 10/10 points
Vision 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals 20/20 points
Goals 20/20 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: To award scholarships to high achieving, immigrant students
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: To provide high school seniors with mentors through our Mentoring Program to help students apply to colleges/universities and scholarships.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: To connect Dream Scholars with coaches throughout their first year of school while navigating common issues facing first-year college students. Mental health assistance is also offered.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Leadership Development 15/15 points
Leadership Development 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
Since hiring a full-time Executive Director in 2017, the Board has been transitioning from a working body to a policy-making body while remaining very involved and committed to the success of the organization. Having a full-time Executive Director is enabling the organization to build upon its infrastructure and have day-to-day management and stability. In addition, in January 2022, a full-time Development Director was hired to create greater outreach and to focus on fundraising and communications initiatives to help build a sustainable future for the Dream Project.
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
Partnering with community organizations has enabled us to maximize our impact while leveraging resources. Through social media, we are able to expand awareness, not only of the Dream Project, but of the obstacles and challenges that immigrant students face.
Adaptability Story 30/30 points
Adaptability Story 30/30 points
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
In addition to offering scholarships and mentoring programs to high school students, Dream Project teaches and empowers our students to use their voices as they become agents of change fighting for justice and equity. In January 2020, nearly a dozen Dream Scholars and supporters visited Virginia Delegates and Senators in Richmond, VA to fervently ask for their support on the Tuition Equity Bill (SB 935/HB 1547). Inviting Dream Project students, parents, and supporters to promote this critical tuition equity legislation helped convince enough Virginia Delegates and Senators to support the Tuition Equity Bill, which was signed into law by then-Governor Northam and became effective on July 1, 2020. Undocumented students who meet the new law’s criteria are now eligible for in-state tuition which provides enormous cost savings for our students and Dreamers across the state of Virginia.