Disable all preview features

International : Development and Relief Services (Grantmaking)

Operation Bootstrap Africa

Helping people help themselves in a variety of educational programs in Africa

four stars

95.15

625 Fourth Avenue South Suite 110
Minneapolis, MN 55415
tel: (612) 871-4980   Web Site
EIN: 41-6051952

Board Leadership
Jeanie Geurink
President

CEO
Diane Solmonson
Executive Director

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 95.15 four stars
  Financial 93.84 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 97.00 four stars
This rating was published 07/01/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Operation Bootstrap Africa (OBA) is a Minnesota-based, inter-denominational organization dedicated to helping people help themselves in a variety of educational programs in Africa. OBA began its mission of service in Tanzania in the mid-1960's, and was incorporated in 1965. OBA seeks to assist with educational opportunity in Africa, and has funded more than 2,250 classrooms and teachers' quarters in Tanzania alone. In that same timeframe the literacy rate of Tanzania has gone from 10% to 85%. In recent years, OBA has expanded into Madagascar, Zimbabwe and The Gambia, always working on self-help partnership agreements, in response to requests for assistance.

Operation Bootstrap Africa (OBA) is a Minnesota-based, inter-denominational organization dedicated to helping people help themselves in a variety of educational programs in Africa. OBA began its mission of service in Tanzania in the mid-1960's, and was incorporated in 1965. OBA seeks to assist with educational opportunity in Africa, and has funded more than 2,250 classrooms and teachers' quarters in Tanzania alone. In that same timeframe the literacy rate of Tanzania has gone from 10% to 85%. In recent years, OBA has expanded into Madagascar, Zimbabwe and The Gambia, always working on self-help partnership agreements, in response to requests for assistance.

Impact Information

Looking for Impact Information?

Charity Navigator is collaborating with GuideStar, GlobalGiving, Classy, and ImpactMatters to display impact-related information for rated nonprofits. However, not all rated nonprofits have provided impact information yet. Each of these partners has supplied Charity Navigator with the impact information they receive directly from nonprofits. Submissions must be made on our partner's websites and we plan to update the display of this information regularly.

If you are interested in seeing this charity provide its impact information, please click below. Note, this is simply an indication of your interest.

data icon

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

four stars

93.84

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

97.00

This rating was published 07/01/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 87.4%
  Administrative Expenses 7.2%
  Fundraising Expenses 5.2%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.04
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 1.06
  Program Expenses Growth 3.8%
  Liabilities to Assets 0.2%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Operation Bootstrap Africa on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Operation Bootstrap Africa on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Operation Bootstrap Africa (MN) 95.15 four stars
American India Foundation (NY) 93.43 four stars
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WI) 86.84 three stars
BrazilFoundation (NY) 91.42 four stars
charity: water (NY) 88.15 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $956,084
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $42,825
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $0
Total Contributions $998,909
   Program Service Revenue $0
Total Primary Revenue $998,909
   Other Revenue $5,462
TOTAL REVENUE $1,004,371
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $721,639
   Administrative Expenses $77,307
   Fundraising Expenses $39,398
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $838,344
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $166,027
   
Net Assets $900,028

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Educational Operating Grants and Scholarships $264,896 36.7%
Leadership Development $197,305 27.3%
School Projects in Tanzania $167,196 23.2%
Healthcare and Education $92,242 12.8%

Ratings History
Operation Bootstrap Africa has received 6 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2017-08 07/01/2018 95.15 four stars
2016-08 12/01/2017 98.23 four stars
2015-08 03/01/2017 96.33 four stars
2014-08 06/01/2016 96.66 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-08 11/01/2015 94.80 four stars
2013-08 11/01/2014 92.31 four stars
2012-08 10/01/2013 90.03 four stars
2011-08 08/01/2012 85.95 three stars
2010-08 12/23/2011 83.05 three stars
2010-08 09/20/2011 78.81 two stars
 
CN 1.0
2008-08 06/01/2009 92.00 four stars
2007-08 10/01/2008 93.61 four stars
2006-08 05/01/2007 93.72 four stars
2005-08 07/01/2006 89.61 three stars
2004-08 05/01/2005 82.31 three stars
2003-08 06/01/2004 93.38 four stars
2002-08 02/01/2004 85.79 three stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 41-6051952
Name in IRS Master File OPERATION BOOTSTRAP-AFRICA
NTEE Code Q30
NTEE Classification International Development, Relief Services
NTEE Type International, Foreign Affairs and National Security
Classification Educational Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (59) Other school related activities
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
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).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date June, 1966
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End August
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • August, 2017
  • August, 2016
  • August, 2015
  • August, 2014
  • August, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$64,000 7.63% Diane Jacoby Director
Other Salaries of Note
$7,780 0.92% Diane Solmonson Executive Director

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Operation Bootstrap Africa (MN) 95.15 four stars
Bridges to Prosperity (CO) 93.98 four stars
Kids Around the World (IL) 96.46 four stars
The Akshaya Patra Foundation USA (CA) 94.75 four stars
Worldserve International (MO) 87.25 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

Are you the representative for this organization? If so, click here to access the application form. As an official representative you will have the ability to update some of the information on this page.

Charity Contact Info

Operation Bootstrap Africa
625 Fourth Avenue South
Suite 110
Minneapolis, MN 55415
tel: (612) 871-4980
EIN: 41-6051952

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Jeanie Geurink
President

CEO

Diane Solmonson
Executive Director

please wait...

    • I want to donate to Operation Bootstrap Africa

      $
      next

    • Frequency

      back
      next

    • Would you like us to email someone and CC you?

      This email identifies you as the donor but does not specify the amount of your gift.
      back
    A donation of to has been added to your Giving Basket!

    Basket Total:
    Check Out Now or Continue Researching

Join Our Mailing List

Join over 400,000 other informed givers and get updates on charity ratings, new features, hot topics, and tips for donating.

As seen on