named programs · 3 · from sources
what they call their work
College Conference
An annual conference for college-aged individuals, with a 2024 event documented.
Scholarships
Financial aid provided to support camper registration.
Summer Camp
Provides recreational and educational experiences for campers.
activities · 19
what they do
direct service · 16
- Alumni Support Program Alumni-Led Student Mentorship ProgramsProvides an alumni program to support students through college, including a dedicated online portal for alumni.
- College Access and Preparation Programs College Preparation & Empowerment ProgramsOperates a comprehensive year-round college-preparation program for first-generation students in Arizona, which includes a one-week summer camp at Arizona State University's West Campus, weekend retreats, Saturday ACT/SAT prep tutoring, educational field trips, and support with college and scholarship applications and financial aid.
- College Access and Preparation Programs College Preparation & Empowerment ProgramsOperates a year-round college-preparation program for first-generation students in Arizona, which includes a one-week summer camp at Arizona State University's West Campus, weekend retreats, Saturday ACT prep tutoring, educational field trips, and support for college and scholarship applications and standardized test preparation.
- College Access and Preparation Programs College Preparation & Empowerment ProgramsOperates a comprehensive, year-round college-preparation program for first-generation students in Arizona at no cost. This includes a one-week summer camp at Arizona State University's West Campus, weekend retreats, Saturday ACT/SAT prep tutoring, educational field trips, and support with college and scholarship applications and financial aid.
- College Conference EventsHosts college conference events, with events held in 2024.
- College Conference Events Member Meetings and ConventionsHosts college conference events, with recent conferences held in 2024.
- Higher Education Scholarship Program Targeted Educational ScholarshipsAwards scholarships for higher education opportunities to scholars in the greater Phoenix area, having awarded over 450 scholarships totaling over $350,000 in the last eight years, including 171 scholarships totaling over $128,000 in spring 2024, and emergency scholarships for financial assistance.
- Higher Education Scholarship Program Targeted Educational ScholarshipsAwards scholarships for higher education opportunities to scholars in the greater Phoenix area, including emergency college scholarships. Over the last eight years, nearly 400 scholarships totaling over $350,000 have been awarded, with 171 scholarships totaling over $128,000 awarded in spring 2024.
- Higher Education Scholarship Program Targeted Educational ScholarshipsAwards scholarships for higher education opportunities to scholars in the greater Phoenix area, having awarded over 450 scholarships totaling over $350,000 over the last eight years, including 171 scholarships totaling over $128,000 in spring 2024, and emergency scholarships for financial assistance.
- Online Portals for Campers and Alumni Alumni Directory & Network DevelopmentProvides dedicated online portals for both current campers and alumni to support their engagement and ongoing connection with the organization.
- Summer Camp Programs Youth Leadership CampsHosts multiple sessions of summer camp annually, including a college access and STEAM camp, providing mentorship and life-changing experiences for first-generation youth. The program has been hosted in 2023, 2024, and is promoted for 2025, and relies on over 400 volunteers.
- Summer Camp Programs Youth Leadership CampsHosts summer camp programs for high school students, including three sessions to increase participation, providing mentorship and life-changing experiences. These camps have been hosted annually, including in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- Summer Camp Programs Youth Leadership CampsHosts summer camp programs for high school students, including three sessions to increase participation, providing mentorship and life-changing experiences. These camps have been hosted in 2023, 2024, and are promoted for 2025.
- Winter Camp Programs Youth Leadership CampsHosts winter camp programs for first-generation youth in Arizona, with programs hosted in 2023 and 2024.
- Winter Camp Programs Youth Leadership CampsHosts winter camp programs for high school students, with recent camps held in 2023 and 2024.
- Winter Camp Programs Youth Leadership CampsHosts winter camp programs for high school students, with programs hosted in 2023 and 2024.
capacity building · 3
- Staff Training for Camp Programs Youth Leadership CampsConducts staff training prior to the start of its summer camp programs, such as for the 2025 season.
- Staff Training for Camp Programs Youth Leadership CampsConducts staff training prior to the start of its summer camp programs, such as for the 2025 program, and recruits staff for future programs like the 2026 summer camp.
- Volunteer Network Management Adaptive Social and Recreational ProgramsRelies on and manages a network of over 400 volunteers to staff its camping programs.
strategies · 8
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.
- Experiential College Access Programming experiential_education unique to this orgThe organization provides college access information and readiness support to middle and high school students, particularly first-generation youth, through engaging, experiential programming, including STEAM-based activities, mentorship, and team-building, to help them visualize their future as college graduates.
- Experiential College Access Programming experiential_education unique to this orgThe organization provides college access information and readiness through engaging, experiential programming, including STEAM-based activities, team-building, and mentorship, to help first-generation and underserved youth visualize and pursue higher education.
- Experiential Learning and Mentorship for College Readiness experiential_education; mentorship; college_access_program unique to this orgThe organization uses engaging, experiential programming, including summer camps and STEAM-based activities, combined with mentorship from diverse volunteers, to help first-generation middle and high school students visualize and prepare for college, fostering lasting relationships and empowering them to pursue higher education and career opportunities.
- Mentorship through Camp and Diverse Volunteers mentorship_through_camp unique to this orgThe organization utilizes summer camp programming to provide mentorship and foster lasting relationships among campers, recruiting college students and young adults from diverse backgrounds, especially STEM fields, to serve as mentors and counselors.
- Mentorship through Camp and Diverse Volunteers mentorship_through_camp unique to this orgThe organization leverages summer camp programming and recruits diverse college students and young adults, particularly from STEM fields, to serve as mentors and counselors, fostering lasting relationships and providing guidance to campers.
- Sustained Engagement through Digital Platforms and Seasonal Programs digital_engagement_platform unique to this orgThe organization maintains engagement with campers and alumni through an online portal and seasonal camp programs, including annual college conference events, to provide ongoing support and access to resources.
- Sustained Engagement through Digital and Seasonal Programming digital_engagement_platform unique to this orgThe organization maintains continuous engagement with campers and alumni through an online portal and seasonal camp programs, including annual college conferences, to provide ongoing support and resources.
- Sustained Engagement through Digital and Seasonal Programming digital_engagement_platform; seasonal_camp_programming; alumni_engagement_model; annual_conference_programming unique to this orgThe organization maintains continuous engagement with campers and alumni through an online portal and seasonal camp programs, including annual conferences, to provide ongoing support and access to resources.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
the money
revenue
Total revenue$1.55M
Contributions & grants$1.53M99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$16K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.29M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$192K
Grants paid out$121K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.44M
Cash$237K
Investments$1.09M
Liabilities$255K
Net assets$1.19M
Liquid reserves12.3 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +62.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JASON CATANESE | PRESIDENT | 20 | $57K |
board members · 11
- ANEES MOKHIBER — VICE PRESIDE
- CORY GLASS — DIRECTOR
- ERIKA DAVID PARR — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL ALPERIN — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL MEANY — DIRECTOR
- MONICA TREJO — DIRECTOR
- MUSA FARMAND — DIRECTOR
- NATHAN CATANESE — SECRETARY
- NICHOLAS SLEEM — DIRECTOR
- SAMUEL CATANESE — TREASURER
- WAYNE PARR — DIRECTOR
relationships · 5
who they work with
- Arizona State University Partner — Hosts the annual summer camp at ASU's West Campus.
- Arizona State University West Campus Partner — Hosts the annual one-week summer college access and STEAM camp for first-generation college students.
- Burton Family Foundation Funder — Featured in an article by the Burton Family Foundation.
- Helios Education Foundation Funder — Received an award from the Helios Education Foundation.
- Pueblo Del Sol Gym Partner — Hosts camper registration events for Camp Catanese.