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SIMPLAR FOUNDATION

TEMPE, AZ · EIN 824477408 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE B05 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · simplarfoundation.org
revenue
$218K
expenses
$227K
net assets
$631K
employees
1
volunteers
7
program ratio
97%
filing since
2020
mission · from form 990

TO PRODUCE MEANINGFUL RESEARCH FINDINGS THAT ARE USABLE BY AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSBILE TO HELP BRING POSITIVE AND LASTING IMPROVEMENT IN ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND COMPLEX SUPPLY CHAINS.

profile · synthesized from sources

SIMPLAR FOUNDATION is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing research and education in the construction and built environment sectors. It produces actionable insights on construction business practices, project delivery, financial management, and technology adoption. The foundation disseminates knowledge through publications, webinars, and scholarship programs aimed at improving industry standards and contractor performance.

named programs · 5 · from sources

what they call their work

Ask the FM Doctor
Interactive web series offering practical advice on facility management, operations, maintenance, and procurement
Business of Construction Blog
Weekly commentary on construction financial transactions, business models, and industry reform
Funded Research Initiatives
Sponsors research on topics including public-private partnerships, procurement, and project performance in construction
Scholarship Program
Provides financial support to undergraduate and graduate students in construction-related degree programs
Simplar Foundation Journal
Open-access publication featuring peer-reviewed research and case studies on construction planning, risk management, and technology
activities · 8

what they do

direct service · 3
  • Award scholarships to students in degree programs
    Awards individual scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD degree programs.
  • Produce and distribute free educational web content
    Offers a free interactive web series titled "Ask the FM Doctor" and provides free weekly "Construction Messages" to its audience, delivering educational and professional insights.
  • Providing Educational Content and Resources
    SIMPLAR FOUNDATION offers educational content and resources, including individual scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students, a free interactive web series called "Ask the FM Doctor," and free weekly "Construction Messages."
advocacy · 2
  • Advocate for improved construction industry profitability Construction Trade Association Services
    Advocates for systemic improvement in the construction industry by promoting a mission to double net profit margins by 2026, based on research and analysis of industry practices and structures.
  • Advocating for Construction Industry Profitability Construction Trade Association Services
    The organization publishes content with the mission to double the construction industry's net profit margins by 2026.
research · 3
  • Conduct and publish construction industry research Construction Industry Research & Education Programs
    Sponsors and publishes research on a range of construction-related topics including Public-Private Partnerships (P3), Design-Build-Finance-Operate (DBFO) projects, procurement case studies for IT implementations, human dimensions in contracting, small construction project performance, AI applications in scheduling and takeoff, Independent Cost Estimation (ICE), and structural analysis of construction contracts and financial transactions.
  • Publishing Research and Analysis Construction Industry Research & Education Programs
    The organization publishes research and analysis on various topics including a glossary of suretyship, AI's impact on project scheduling, preconstruction schedule issues, AI for takeoff tasks, Independent Cost Estimation, distinctions between construction and commercial activity, contractor profit margins, contracting business models, and the legal structure of construction contracts.
  • Sponsoring and Funding Research Construction Industry Research & Education Programs
    SIMPLAR FOUNDATION sponsors and funds research through master agreements with university researchers, individual grants, and multi-organization collaborations, covering topics such as best practices for Public-Private Partnerships, IT software implementations, human dimensions for contractors, and project performance in small vertical construction projects.
strategies · 13

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.

  • Action-Oriented and Rapid Research Translation unique to this org
    The organization emphasizes action-oriented research with clear takeaways for practitioners and prioritizes rapid dissemination to accelerate the application of findings in the industry.
  • Advancing interdisciplinary understanding of suretyship interdisciplinary approach unique to this org
    The organization views suretyship as an interdisciplinary field, integrating knowledge from accounting, banking, law, insurance, reinsurance, government, engineering, architecture, and construction to foster a comprehensive understanding.
  • Challenging Industry Norms to Improve Profitability unique to this org
    The organization seeks to identify and reform unexamined beliefs and outdated business practices in the construction industry, advocating for structural changes in financial transactions and business models to significantly increase net profit margins.
  • Challenging and improving construction industry business models business model innovation and advocacy unique to this org
    The organization identifies and challenges unexamined beliefs and standard business practices within the construction industry that negatively impact profit margins, advocating for changes to the financial transaction structure and overall business model to significantly increase net profits.
  • Facilitating virtual discussion and peer learning for facility experts virtual discussion and peer learning unique to this org
    The organization provides practical advice and networking opportunities for facility experts through a virtual discussion format, incorporating presentations, peer groups, and Q&A sessions to foster collaborative learning.
  • Forum for Rigorous and Field-Tested Inquiry unique to this org
    The organization operates a journal dedicated to rigorous research and real-world lessons, emphasizing practical relevance and scholarly quality in advancing industry knowledge.
  • Fostering contractor business acumen business education for contractors unique to this org
    The organization aims to educate contractors on the critical distinction between construction activity and commercial activity, helping them develop the business management skills necessary to transform their operational work into profitable commercial ventures.
  • Interdisciplinary Approach to Suretyship unique to this org
    The organization views suretyship as an interdisciplinary domain integrating fields such as law, insurance, engineering, and construction, suggesting a holistic framework for addressing industry challenges.
  • Open Access Dissemination of Research open access unique to this org
    The organization makes its journal articles freely available to the public, ensuring broad and equitable access to research findings and field-tested lessons from real-world projects.
  • Promoting industry-specific research and knowledge dissemination open access research dissemination unique to this org
    The organization operates an open-access journal that serves as a forum for rigorous, action-oriented research, providing field-tested lessons and rapid insights to accelerate the adoption of new findings by industry professionals.
  • Student Advancement and Inclusion through Scholarships student advancement and inclusion unique to this org
    The organization supports student advancement, research, diversity, and inclusion by offering scholarships, indicating a strategy centered on educational equity and professional pipeline development in the field.
  • Transforming Construction Activity into Commercial Activity unique to this org
    The organization focuses on helping contractors transition from mere construction activity to sustainable commercial enterprise by improving business understanding and models, particularly targeting those lacking formal business training.
  • Virtual Peer Learning for Industry Professionals virtual discussion and peer learning unique to this org
    Facility experts are supported through virtual discussions that include presentations, peer groups, and Q&A sessions, promoting practical knowledge exchange and professional networking in a collaborative learning environment.
financials · form 990 · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$218K
Contributions & grants$218K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$570%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$227K
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$11K
Grants paid out$72K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$632K
Cash$616K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$631K
Liquid reserves32.5 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -29.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 5
  • BRIAN LINES — DIRECTOR
  • BRIAN STONE — PRESIDENT
  • JAKE SMITHWICK — SECRETARY
  • KENNETH SULLIVAN — TREASURER
  • KEVIN SELL — DIRECTOR
relationships · 2

who they work with

  • Construction Management Associates, Inc. Partner — Collaborated on writing a glossary of suretyship.
  • International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Funder — Sponsors the "Ask the FM Doctor" web series.