2026-06-16T08:45:18-05:00 2025-09-30 882730877 CHERRY BEKAERT ADVISORY LLC 1111 METROPOLITAN AVE STE 900 CHARLOTTE NC 28204 990 2024-10-01 260166817 JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION JOHN 8283943178 PO BOX 72 BREVARD NC 28712 ANDREW KOCH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 8284498053 2026-06-15 1 1 BREE-ANN WEIDNER P01319397 7043771678 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z GARDNER INSTITUTE ANDREW KOCH PO BOX 72 BREVARD NC 28712 10547955 0 X WWW.GARDNERINSTITUTE.ORG X 2007 NC WORKED WITH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ON TRANSFORMING THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE. THIS IS A 5 YEAR PROCESS. THIS WAS DONE WITH MAJOR SUPPORT FROM GRANT FUNDERS AND INSTITUTIONS. ALSO, WORKED WITH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ON SHORTER-TERM (LESS THAN 5 YEARS) ENGAGEMENTS. 16 12 25 9 0 0 1320000 6831186 1310022 1710477 212378 183749 410 7580 2842810 8732992 2000 31000 0 0 4094204 4344838 0 0 0 1389495 1670999 5485699 6046837 -2642889 2686155 9745985 12849353 4054760 4461732 5691225 8387621 X THE JOHN N. GARDNER INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PARTNERING WITH COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS, EDUCATORS, AND OTHER ENTITIES TO INCREASE INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPROVING OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH TEACHING, LEARNING, RETENTION, AND COMPLETION. THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION'S EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY LEARNER EARNS A CREDENTIAL THAT LEADS TO A MEANINGFUL CAREER AND A HIGHLY FULFILLING LIFE. THROUGH ITS WORK, THE INSTITUTE WILL ADVANCE HIGHER EDUCATION'S BROADER MISSION OF EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY AND SUCCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS. 0 0 4204769 31000 779724 TRANSFORMATION SUPPORT SERVICES - TRANSFORMING THE FOUNDATIONAL IMPROVING STUDENT SUCCESS OUTCOMES IN WAYS THAT HELP INSTITUTIONS TRANSFORM IN WAYS THAT HELP ALL STUDENTS THRIVE, EARN DEGREES OR CREDENTIALS OF HIHG VALUE, AND GO ON TO LEAD PRODUCTIVE AND MEANINGFUL LIVES. 550737 219647 THE INSTITUTE HELPS HIGHER EDUCATION AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS TO INDIVIDUALLY AND/OR COLLECTIVELY DEFINE OR REDEFINE EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION AND ASSISTS WITH THE APPLICATION OF THESE DEFINITIONS TO PRACTICE AND/OR POLICY. THESE ACTIONS SUPPORT EFFORTS TO FACILITATE INNOVATION IN COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, AND THE BROADER SYSTEMS OF WHICH THEY ARE A PART. THE ENSUING DYNAMIC EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WILL TRANSFORM THE INSTITUTIONS, THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE, THE PLACES IN WHICH THEY LIVE AND WORK, AND THE BROADER SOCIETIES AND ECONOMIES OF WHICH THEY ARE A PART. 421573 233836 WE HELD A NUMBER OF CONFERENCES THAT DREW IN HIGHER EDUCATORS FROM INSTITUTIONS ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES. 342429 169486 ACADEMIES AND COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE: PROCESS AND DISCIPLINE-BASED COMMUNITIES TO HELP FACULTY, GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTS, AND ADJUNCT FACULTY CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO APPLY AND SUSTAIN THE USE OF EVIDENCE-BASED PEDAGOGIES IN THEIR COURSES.THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS ACADEMIES AND COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE THAT PREPARE INSTITUTIONAL TEAMS TO CONDUCT AN EVIDENCE-BASED, EDUCATION OUTCOMES PARITY-FOCUSED STUDENT RETENTION PLANNING PROCESS FOR THEIR INSTITUTION WITH A GOAL OF IMPROVING RETENTION AND USING EVIDENCE TO ENSURE THAT EVERY LEARNER CAN THRIVE AND FULFIL THEIR EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES. 32513 24496 RETENTION: CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING AN ANALYTICS-BASED RETENTION PLAN FOR SPECIFIC COHORTS SUCH AS FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS, SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS ETC. 16688 ACADEMIC ADVISING: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL ACADEMIC ADVISING ASSOCIATION (NACADA): THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY FOR ACADEMIC ADVISING, WE PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE, STANDARDS-BASED ASSESSMENT PROCESS TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMIC ADVISING. 57426 283288 COURSE/CURRICULUM REDESIGN: POSITIVELY TRANSFORMED TEACHING, LEARNING AND REDUCING FAILURE RATES IN LOWER DIVISION AND/OR DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION "GATEWAY" COURSES THROUGH WORKING DIRECTLY WITH FACULTY AND STAFF. 449056 477270 5626135 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 43 0 1 25 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 12 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 NC X ANGELA M WHITESIDE 8283943178 PO BOX 72 BREVARD NC 28712 JOHN GARDNER EXECUTIVE CHAIR 40.00 0.00 X X 375390 0 31431 JILLIAN KINZIE VICE CHAIR 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CHAOUKI ABDALLAH DIRECTOR (AS OF 9/2024) 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LOUIS ALBERT DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 2500 0 0 ISIS ARTZE-VEGA DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 WENDY AULT DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BETSY BAREFOOT DIRECTOR 5.00 0.00 X 29403 0 0 SUZANNE BENALLY DIRECTOR (AS OF 9/2024) 1.00 0.00 X 5000 0 0 SCOTT EVENBECK DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 11000 0 0 FRANCESCA MAZZOLA DIRECTOR (AS OF 9/2024) 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LAURA RENDON DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 AARON THOMPSON DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 GERALD WHITTINGTON DIRECTOR (AS OF 9/2024) 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JESSICA WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREW KOCH CEO 40.00 0.00 X X 414852 0 52340 ED CASE DIRECTOR (THRU 3/2025) 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL BENITEZ DIRECTOR 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ANGELA WHITESIDE SENIOR VP, FINANCE 40.00 0.00 X 203000 0 28541 BRENT DRAKE SENIOR VP, OPERATIONS & RESEARCH 40.00 0.00 X 296373 0 42473 STEPHANIE FOOTE VICE PRESIDENT 40.00 0.00 X 158086 0 36068 BRANDON SMITH SENIOR ASSOCIATE VP 40.00 0.00 X 150943 0 35425 FELITA WILLIAMS SENIOR VP, PROGRAMS 40.00 0.00 X 203050 0 14620 MONICA FLIPPIN WYNN ASSOCIATE VP 40.00 0.00 X 148994 0 9949 BETSY GRIFFIN SR. RESIDENT FELLOW 15.00 0.00 X 112980 0 406 JILL KRAMER VICE PRESIDENT 30.00 0.00 X 139914 0 33875 MARY LOCKE SR. DIR. MKT/COMM 40.00 0.00 X 108697 0 25064 ROBERT RODIER ASSOCIATE VP 40.00 0.00 X 140553 0 28240 2500735 0 338432 16 0 1 0 DELMAR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT 1281 WIN HENSTCHEL BLVD WEST LAFAYETTE IN 47906 SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT 346241 1 6831186 6831186 TRANSFORMATION SUPPORT 900099 779724 779724 COURSE REDESIGN SERVICES 900099 283288 283288 CONFERENCES/SERIES 900099 233836 233836 MINI COURSES & ACADEMIES 900099 169486 169486 244143 244143 1710477 168707 168707 3326 3326 1830005 1814963 15042 15042 15042 CREDIT CARD REWARDS 900099 4254 4254 4254 8732992 1710477 0 191329 31000 31000 2180654 2134807 45847 1577990 1545554 32436 125772 119654 6118 239286 231629 7657 221136 216199 4937 38772 33558 5214 42104 36442 5662 3255 3255 519257 389225 130032 71077 70137 940 34919 33604 1315 131847 117501 14346 24000 23345 655 319273 190889 128384 261246 256246 5000 191576 186345 5231 15166 10000 5166 MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES 18507 18507 6046837 5626135 420702 0 528383 528383 4101699 3810646 1073186 3777934 2614174 3103242 158754 177680 2207415 1178586 968458 1028829 193009 311649 67117 71504 41205 39486 9745985 12849353 439409 399064 3463119 3800180 152232 262488 4054760 4461732 X 2316480 2348274 3374745 6039347 5691225 8387621 9745985 12849353 2686155 10241 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1209062 500000 8140000 1320000 6831186 18000248 1943078 1635566 1279475 1310022 1710477 7878618 3152140 2135566 9419475 2630022 8541663 25878866 1252952 500000 7140000 1320000 6831186 17044138 1145800 483629 198506 1827935 2398752 983629 7140000 1518506 6831186 18872073 7006793 1307 7596 68781 215992 172033 465709 1307 7596 68781 215992 172033 465709 4254 4254 3153447 2143162 9488256 2846014 8717950 26348829 0.26590 0.34610 0.01770 0.01240 X SCHEDULE A, PART III, LINE 12, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: OTHER INCOME - 2024 AMOUNT: $ 4,254. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 2674 1459 1215 2193759 1173255 1020504 10982 3872 7110 1028829 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 39486 DEFERRED COMPENSATION LIABILITY 223002 262488 X 8743233 10241 10241 8732992 0 8732992 6046837 0 6046837 0 6046837 PART X, LINE 2: IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDANCE ON ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES, THE INSTITUTE'S POLICY IS TO RECORD A LIABILITY FOR ANY TAX POSITION TAKEN THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO THE INSTITUTE, INCLUDING ANY RELATED INTEREST AND PENALTIES, WHEN IT IS MORE LIKELY THAN NOT THE POSITION TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT WITH RESPECT TO A TRANSACTION OR CLASS OF TRANSACTIONS WILL BE OVERTURNED BY A TAXING AUTHORITY UPON EXAMINATION. MANAGEMENT BELIEVES THERE ARE NO SUCH POSITIONS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND 2024, AND, ACCORDINGLY, NO LIABILITY HAS BEEN ACCRUED FOR EITHER YEAR. X 1 1 X X X X X X 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ANDREW KOCH CEO 401977 0 0 0 12875 0 30500 0 21840 0 467192 0 0 0 JOHN GARDNER EXECUTIVE CHAIR 375390 0 0 0 0 0 30500 0 931 0 406821 0 0 0 BRENT DRAKE SENIOR VP, OPERATIONS & RESEARCH 296373 0 0 0 0 0 26674 0 15799 0 338846 0 0 0 ANGELA WHITESIDE SENIOR VP, FINANCE 203000 0 0 0 0 0 18270 0 10271 0 231541 0 0 0 FELITA WILLIAMS SENIOR VP, PROGRAMS 203050 0 0 0 0 0 14214 0 406 0 217670 0 0 0 STEPHANIE FOOTE VICE PRESIDENT 158086 0 0 0 0 0 14228 0 21840 0 194154 0 0 0 BRANDON SMITH SENIOR ASSOCIATE VP 150943 0 0 0 0 0 13585 0 21840 0 186368 0 0 0 JILL KRAMER VICE PRESIDENT 133726 0 0 0 6188 0 12035 0 21840 0 173789 0 0 0 ROBERT RODIER ASSOCIATE VP 137803 0 0 0 2750 0 12402 0 15838 0 168793 0 0 0 MONICA FLIPPIN WYNN ASSOCIATE VP 148494 0 500 0 0 0 0 0 9949 0 158943 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 1A THE ORGANIZATION ONLY ALLOWS TRAVEL FOR BOARD MEMBERS' SPOUSES/PARTNERS FOR THE ANNUAL BOARD MEETING AND TREATS SUCH BENEFITS AS NONTAXABLE. OTHERWISE, THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT REIMBURSE FOR TRAVEL FOR COMPANIONS. PART I, LINE 4B CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN PURSUANT TO CODE SECTION 457(F) DURING THE TAX YEAR WERE AS FOLLOWS: ANGELA WHITESIDE: $30,450 ANDREW KOCH $60,296 DR SARA STEIN KOCH RELATED TO OFFICER 108264 EMPLOYMENT 0 PART IV, LINE 1: DR. SARA STEIN KOCH IS THE SPOUSE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. SHE DOES NOT REPORT TO THE CEO AND INSTEAD REPORTS TO THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR OF THE BOARD WHO DETERMINES HER COMPENSATION AND THE INSTITUTE, AND TO THE INSTITUTE'S BOARD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 JOHN GARDNER, THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE ORGANIZATION, AND BETSY BAREFOOT, CO-FOUNDER AND SENIOR SCHOLAR, ARE SPOUSES; BOTH ARE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEADERS IN THIS ACADEMIC FIELD. IN ADDITION TO SERVING ON THE BOARD, BETSY BAREFOOT PROVIDES ADVISORY SERVICES TO THE ORGANIZATION. COMPENSATION REPORTED IN PART VII IS FOR SUCH ADVISORY SERVICES, NOT FOR SERVING ON THE BOARD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THERE ARE 2 MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION - JOHN GARDNER AND BETSY BAREFOOT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A PER THE ORGANIZATION'S BYLAWS, MEMBERS HAVE THE POWER TO ELECT THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS. IN PRACTICE, THEY DELEGATE THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS. NEW MEMBERS MAY BE ELECTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 IS FIRST REVIEWED BY THE SENIOR VP FOR FINANCE AND COMPTROLLER, THEN IT IS FORWARDED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR AND CEO FOR FINAL APPROVALS. THE FULL BOARD RECEIVES A COPY BEFORE FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE INSTITUTE MAINTAINS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY WHICH IS REVIEWED AND SIGNED OFF BY ALL DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS ON A ANNUAL BASIS. IN THE EVENT OF ANY SUCH DISCLOSURES DURING THE YEAR, THE MATTER WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE FULL BOARD'S ATTENTION. BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ARE EXPECTED TO DISCLOSE ANY INTERESTS IN A TRANSACTION OR DECISION WHERE HE/SHE, INCLUDING THEIR BUSINESS OR OTHER NON-PROFIT AFFILIATIONS, FAMILY AND/OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER, EMPLOYER OR CLOSE ASSOCIATES, WILL RECEIVE A BENEFIT OR A GAIN. SHOULD ANY SUCH DISCLOSURE OF ANY POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARISE, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE ASKED TO EXIT THE BOARD DISCUSSION AS A FORM OF RECUSAL AND WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO VOTE ON THE QUESTION. NO SUCH CONFLICTS EXIST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A BOARD OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS. THIS BOARD HAS ESTABLISHED A SUBGROUP TO COMPRISE THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. SAID COMPENSATION COMMITTEE IS CONVENED ANNUALLY TO REVIEW AND DETERMINE ANNUAL REAPPOINTMENT, COMPENSATION, AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AND ITS EXECUTIVE CHAIR/CO-FOUNDER. THE BOARD ALSO REVIEWS AND APPROVES THROUGH ITS FINANCE COMMITTEE AND FULL BOARD AN ANNUAL BUDGET WHICH INCLUDES THE PRECISE SALARIES OF ALL OTHER INSTITUTE EMPLOYEES WHICH HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED BY THE CEO. THE SALARY OF DR. SARA STEIN KOCH, FELLOW AND SENIOR ASSOCIATE FOR INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT, IS DETERMINED BY THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR AND CO-FOUNDER, JOHN GARDNER. THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR/CO-FOUNDER DOES NOT RECOMMEND COMPENSATION FOR THE SENIOR SCHOLAR. THE BOARD IS COMPRISED OF COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY AND HIGHER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS AND VICE PRESIDENTS. THE BOARD UNDERTAKES THIS REVIEW AND DETERMINATION OF SALARIES USING ITS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF COMPENSATION PRACTICES IN THIS SECTOR. BOTH THE CEO AND THE BOARD ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO PERIODIC COMPENSATION STUDIES CONDUCTED BY AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.