Mission: The Surge Institute was established to broadly address the issues of race and class in urban education through leadership development, technical assistance and advoc ... (More)
Surge Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 2015, and donations are tax-deductible.
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Important note on the timeliness of ratings
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Finance & Accountability score for Surge Institute is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Encompass Rating System by Charity Navigator
Overall Score
95
out of 100
This charity's score is a passing score.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 80% Finance & Accountability, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, and 10% Culture & Community
Learn about the Encompass Rating System: Overview | FAQ | Release Notes
Finance & Accountability
This score provides an assessment of a nonprofit's financial health (stability, efficiency and sustainability) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Finance & Accountability Score
94
out of 100
The score earned by Surge Institute is a passing score
This V6 of the Finance & Accountability Score provides a baseline measure of an organization's health including the indicators listed in the report below.
This score represents Form 990 data from 2020, the latest year electronically filed and published by the IRS.
Finance & Accountability Report
94
of 100 points
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Program Expense Ratio
70.05%
Higher effect on score
More data
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Composition
3/3 Independent
Higher effect on score
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review
Audited
Higher effect on score
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 |
|---|---|
| $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
Liabilities to Assets Ratio
13.55%
Lower effect on score
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Website
Listed
Lower effect on score
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the 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
Listed
Lower effect on score
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the 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
Board Meeting Minutes
Documented
Lower effect on score
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the 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
Document Retention and Destruction
Missing
Lower effect on score
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the 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
Whistleblower Policy
Missing
Lower effect on score
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the 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
Additional Information
Unscored
This beta feature is currently viewable only on desktop or tablet screens. Check back later for updates.
Total Revenue and Expenses
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
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
CARMITA SEMAAN, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
$256,250
DARRYL COBB, BOARD CHAIR
$0
PAULA SNEED, BOARD TREASURER
$0
JEAN CLAUDE BRIZARD, BOARD MEMBER
$0
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Business Master File Data
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
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
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
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to view this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available).
Pandemic Response
Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Surge Institute reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
We received a PPP loan and were able to retain our full staff. In 2020, our community had some major giants to tackle. The burden of COVID sat heavily on families. Basic needs that many take for granted—food, shelter, and security were rapidly growing concerns, particularly for those without the income to save ahead of the pandemic. The challenges were real, and Surge Fellows & Alumni all over the country were feeling the impact on themselves and the communities they serve. To help relieve some of the pressure on the families they were serving, in April 2020 we launched the Surge Relief Fund, created to address some of the most pressing needs of the communities that our Surge Fellows and Alums were serving. We raised more than $150,000 in donations and pledges, all of which were used to serve communities in need during this time! We are happy to announce that awards were made to 30 different Alumni & Fellow organizations across the nation.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Due to the pandemic, we were forced to stop all in-person, face-to-face, monthly Fellowship sessions, and other events. Everything became a virtual meeting via ZOOM.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
All staff members were sequestered at home as of the 3/20/2020 shut-down of the entire state of Illinois and the city of Chicago. Staff members were provided all the equipment needed for them to set up an at-home office. All staff and team meetings were conducted via ZOOM. We never fully returned to the office locations.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
We have become a virtual organization. Our employees are located in six different states at present, with more virtual locations planned for 2022. Our Chicago physical office was closed this past December 2021 and we will be closing our Oakland office in March 2022. As we ease into spring of 2022 we will be offering a combination of virtual and in-person sessions for our Fellowship programs and other events.
Previous: Finance & Accountability / Next: Leadership & Adaptability
Impact & Results
This score estimates the actual impact a nonprofit has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Impact & Results Score
Not Currently Scored
Surge Institute cannot currently be evaluated by our Encompass Rating Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Do you work at Surge Institute? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Additional Information
Unscored
This beta feature is currently viewable only on desktop or tablet screens. Check back later for updates.
Largest Programs
Surge Institute reported its largest program on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
$2,502,756
Spent in most recent FY
100%
Percent of program expenses
The Surge Fellowship, is designed to identify and groom emerging talent in education, and provide them with leadership development as well as access to networks and visibility, empowering them to brin ... (More)
Previous: Impact & Results / Next: Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
This score 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.
Leadership & Adaptability Score
100
out of 100
The score earned by Surge Institute is a passing score.
Encompass Rating V4 provides an evaluation of the organization's Leadership & Adaptability through the nonprofit organization submitting a survey response directly to Charity Navigator.
Leadership & Adaptability Report
100
of 100 points
Mission
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s mission
To educate and develop leaders of color who create transformative change for young people, their families, and our broader communities.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Vision
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
We are the preeminent pipeline addressing the dearth of leadership of color at the decision-making tables. The Surge Fellowship and Surge Academy are the signature programs of the Surge Institute that serve as a best-in-class, cohort-based experience that unites, accelerates, and empowers emerging leaders of color in education. They are a key facet of our growing movement to better serve the communities too often ignored due to a lack of leadership that understands their needs.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Strategic Goals
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: The Surge ahead incls. developing, elevating & uniting 5,000+ leaders by 2030, catalyzing their growth, providing tools & connections necessary to wreck the nonsense we see & create the space we need
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Fuel the expanding vision & efforts of leaders, binding them tighter as a collective of changemakers, growing their knowledge of what it takes to influence change & provide support to move mountains
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Three: To influence systemic change, connecting with forward-thinking leaders & allies to build collective efforts that shift policies & practices in institutions & orgs. to create equitable spaces for all.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Leadership Development
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
Every staff member receives an annual stipend to be used at their discretion for professional /leadership development training & coaching opportunities, after receiving approval from their manager.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Mobilizing for Mission
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
Strategic Partnerships
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
Our allies make us better. Surge builds deep relationships with presenters, coaches, facilitators, caterers, and other partners who represent our values and our identities, and we help them build thriving businesses with authenticity. Surge leaders and alums constantly receive requests to present and/or speak at various venues, for both education, and leadership events and conferences across the country.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Story of Adaptability
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
COVID led us to find new ways of working, and our two latest hires live in Florida and Pennsylvania, respectively. Our Founder & President has relocated to California. Our current staff has successfully nestled work spaces into their homes, supported with standing desks, big monitors, and ergonomic chairs. We will save money and invest our funds differently to become a virtual organization, limited not by cities but opened to national opportunity.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Previous: Leadership & Adaptability
Culture & Community
This score provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves. Learn more about how and why we rate Culture & Community.
Culture & Community Score
100
out of 100
Surge Institute has earned a passing score. The organization provided data about its Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) practices (see report below).
The Culture & Community Beacon is comprised of the following metrics:
Constituent Feedback: Not Scored
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: 100/100 (100% of beacon score)
Culture & Community Report
100
of 100 points
This beta feature is currently viewable only on desktop or tablet screens. Check back later for updates.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
100/100 points
100% of beacon score
This organization's score of 100 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 11 diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective DEI policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
View this organization's DEI Strategies
Methodology
We are utilizing data collected by Candid to document and assess the DEI practices implemented by the organization. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the Equity Strategies section of their Candid profiles to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
Constituent Feedback
Not Scored
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. However, it did not respond to one or more survey questions, and therefore is not eligible for a score on this metric. (View our beacon methodology.) Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
View this organization's Constituent Feedback Practices
Methodology
We've partnered with Candid to survey organizations about their feedback practices. Nonprofit organizations can fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
Analysis and Research
Like the overall Encompass Rating System, the Culture & Community Beacon is designed to evolve as metrics are developed and ready for integration. Below you can find more information about the metrics we currently evaluate in this beacon and their relevance to nonprofit performance.
