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Dominican Advance
PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 208507603 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE X20 · Religion-Related · Small ($100K-$1M) · dominicanadvance.org
revenue
$997K
expenses
$1.4M
net assets
$209K
employees
1
program ratio
83%
mission · from form 990

Dominican Advance creates opportunity for a brighter future through quality, Christ-centered schools and related educational programs for impoverished people in the Dominican Republic and neighboring islands. USA Dominican Advance Christian Charity creates opportunity for a brighter future through quality, Christ-centered schools and related educational programs for impoverished people in the Dominican Republic and neighboring island

profile · synthesized from sources

Dominican Advance is a nonprofit organization focused on providing quality, Christ-centered education and nutritional support to impoverished communities in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Argentina. Their programs include semi-private schools and the NutriNiños initiative, which offers meals and tutoring to children facing food shortages. Founded in 2005, they aim to break the cycle of poverty through education and community engagement.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Brighter Future College Fund
Provides financial assistance for qualifying students from Alta Vista High School to pursue college degrees or vocational training.
NutriNiños
Provides nutritious breakfasts, Bible instruction, and academic tutoring to impoverished children in Cuba and Argentina.
Scholarships for Champions
Offers sponsorships for impoverished Dominican children to receive quality education, including textbooks and school supplies.
activities · 5 groups

what they do

  • Child Sponsorship for Educational Support 2 activities
    • Christian Education Sponsorship Program
      Provides quality Christian education to impoverished Dominican children through the Scholarship for Champions sponsorship program, enrolling 900 students in grades K-12 for the 2025-26 school year and supporting over 20 graduates pursuing university degrees.
    • Christian scholarship program for Dominican children
      Provides quality Christian education to impoverished Dominican children through the Scholarship for Champions sponsorship program, supporting K-12 enrollment and academic development.
  • Short-Term Mission & Service Trips 1 activity
    • Mission Trip Facilitation
      Organizes and provides logistical support for mission trips to the Dominican Republic, involving construction, teaching, preaching, evangelism, and service in schools, medical clinics, and churches, including lodging, food, transportation, and English-to-Spanish interpreters.
  • International School Infrastructure Development 1 activity
    • School Infrastructure Development
      Constructs and expands educational facilities, including building a three-classroom ground level building as part of a high school expansion project.
  • Advanced & Dual Enrollment Course Offerings 1 activity
    • Technical high school expansion and programming
      Converted Alta Vista High School into a technical school in October 2023, enabling students to earn college credits and pursue studies in Tourism & Hospitality and Information Systems.
  • Uncategorized 8 activities
    • Children's Nutrition and Education Programs (Cuba & Argentina)
      Provides nutritious breakfast, Bible instruction, and academic tutoring to children in Cuba, and offers meals, devotional time, and tutoring in core subjects to over 300 children weekly in Havana, Cuba and Buenos Aires, Argentina through programs like NutriNinos.
    • Higher Education Scholarship Program
      Supports college students through the Brighter Future College Fund, enabling ten graduates to earn degrees in various fields, with five students graduating from university with degrees in School Psychology, Accounting, Industrial Engineering, and Modern Languages as of December 2025.
    • Higher education support for graduates
      Supports Dominican graduates in pursuing university degrees through the Brighter Future College Fund, with ten graduates earning degrees in fields including Engineering, Accounting, and School Psychology, five of whom graduated by December 2025.
    • Mission trip coordination and logistical support
      Organizes mission trips to the Dominican Republic involving construction, teaching, evangelism, and service, providing on-ground logistical support including lodging, food, transportation, and English-to-Spanish interpreters for teams.
    • Nutrition and education programs for children in Cuba and Argentina
      Provides nutritious meals, Bible instruction, academic tutoring, and devotional time to over 300 children weekly in Havana, Cuba and Buenos Aires, Argentina through programs like NutriNinos.
    • Operation of Christian schools in the Dominican Republic
      Operates three semi-private Christian schools in the Dominican Republic, recognized as "Model Schools for the Dominican Republic" by the Ministry of Education, serving 900 students in grades K-12 and supporting university-bound graduates.
    • Operation of Model Christian Schools
      Operates three semi-private, Christian schools that have been recognized as "Model Schools for the Dominican Republic" by the Ministry of Education, and converted Alta Vista High School into a technical school in October 2023, offering college credits in Tourism & Hospitality and Information Systems.
    • Publication of Christian devotional materials
      Published "From Under the Banana Tree," a devotional book by Dr. Kim designed to strengthen and encourage Christian leaders and believers.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$997K
Contributions & grants$957K96%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$100%
Other revenue$40K
expenses
Total expenses$1.42M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$673K
Grants paid out$7K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$697K
Cash$198K
Investments$0
Liabilities$488K
Net assets$209K
Liquid reserves1.7 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +5.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DR KIM PENSINGER President 60 $21K
JOSIE PENSINGER Vice President 60 $12K
board members · 7
  • DR DANIEL BRUNNER — Director
  • DR MELISSA BRUNNER — Director
  • DR RICK CALLAHAN — Director
  • LYNN BOYER — Director
  • PASTOR JOE CALLOWAY — Director
  • PASTOR TAMMY CALLOWAY — Director
  • SANDY BOYER — Director
relationships · 7

who they work with

  • Amazon.com Partner — Sells the organization's devotional book "From Under the Banana Tree."
  • Dominican Ministry of Education Government — Semi-private Christian schools operated by Dominican Advance are recognized by the Dominican Ministry of Education.
  • FriesenPress.com Partner — Sells the organization's devotional book "From Under the Banana Tree."
  • Josie Pensinger Partner — Founding vice president who initiated and oversees the NutriNiños program.
  • Ministry of Education Government — Awarded Dominican Advance's schools the "Model Schools for the Dominican Republic" certificate.
  • Ministry of Education of the Dominican Republic Government — Awarded Dominican Advance's schools the "Model Schools for the Dominican Republic" certificate and urged the conversion of Alta Vista High School into a technical school.
  • Ministry of Education of the Dominican Republic Government — Urged Dominican Advance to transform its high school into a technical school.