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Nonprofit · EIN 26-0166817

JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI

Tax-exempt · BREVARD, NC 28712

Financials

$9.5M$5.2M2022$2.8M$5.5M2023$8.7M$6M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
September 30, 2025990$8,732,992$6,046,837$2,686,155$12,849,353$4,461,732$8,387,621
September 30, 2024990$2,842,810$5,485,699-$2,642,889$9,745,985$4,054,760$5,691,225
September 30, 2023990$9,487,738$5,200,550$4,287,188$11,356,005$2,962,254$8,393,751
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$6,831,186
Program service revenue
$1,710,477
Investment income
$183,749
Royalties
$3,326
Net gain from sales of assets
$15,042
Other revenue
$7,580

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$31,000
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$2,180,654
Other salaries and wages
$1,577,990
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$4,344,838
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$38,772
Accounting fees
$42,104
Occupancy
$24,000
Travel
$319,273
Depreciation
$191,576
Program services (functional)
$5,626,135
Management and general (functional)
$420,702

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$9,745,985
Total assets, end of year
$12,849,353
Total liabilities, end of year
$4,461,732
Net assets, end of year
$8,387,621
Land, buildings and equipment
$1,028,829
Publicly traded securities
$311,649
Net assets without donor restrictions
$2,348,274
Net assets with donor restrictions
$6,039,347
Gross receipts
$10,547,955
Employees
25
Volunteers
9
Year formed
2007
State of legal domicile
NC

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
ANDREW KOCHCEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$414,852$52,340
JOHN GARDNEREXECUTIVE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
40$375,390$31,431
BRENT DRAKESENIOR VP, OPERATIONS & RESEARCH
Key employee
40$296,373$42,473
ANGELA WHITESIDESENIOR VP, FINANCE
Officer
40$203,000$28,541
FELITA WILLIAMSSENIOR VP, PROGRAMS
Key employee
40$203,050$14,620
STEPHANIE FOOTEVICE PRESIDENT
Key employee
40$158,086$36,068
BRANDON SMITHSENIOR ASSOCIATE VP
Key employee
40$150,943$35,425
JILL KRAMERVICE PRESIDENT
Highest-paid employee
30$139,914$33,875
ROBERT RODIERASSOCIATE VP
Highest-paid employee
40$140,553$28,240
MONICA FLIPPIN WYNNASSOCIATE VP
Highest-paid employee
40$148,994$9,949
MARY LOCKESR. DIR. MKT/COMM
Highest-paid employee
40$108,697$25,064
BETSY GRIFFINSR. RESIDENT FELLOW
Highest-paid employee
15$112,980$406
BETSY BAREFOOTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$29,403$0
SCOTT EVENBECKDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$11,000$0
SUZANNE BENALLYDIRECTOR (AS OF 9/2024)
Trustee or director
1$5,000$0
12 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
LOUIS ALBERTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$2,500
JILLIAN KINZIEVICE CHAIR
Trustee or director
5$0
CHAOUKI ABDALLAHDIRECTOR (AS OF 9/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0
ISIS ARTZE-VEGADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
WENDY AULTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
FRANCESCA MAZZOLADIRECTOR (AS OF 9/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0
LAURA RENDONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
AARON THOMPSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
GERALD WHITTINGTONDIRECTOR (AS OF 9/2024)
Trustee or director
2$0
JESSICA WILLIAMSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ED CASEDIRECTOR (THRU 3/2025)
Trustee or director
1$0
MICHAEL BENITEZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 19 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
ANDREW KOCHCEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$331,735$49,439
JOHN GARDNEREXECUTIVE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
40$333,311$30,643
BRENT DRAKESENIOR VP, OPERATIONS & RESEARCH
Key employee
40$242,677$37,785
ANGELA WHITESIDESECRETARY/TREASURER
Officer
40$160,610$26,037
STEPHANIE FOOTEVICE PRESIDENT
Highest-paid employee
40$137,822$31,818
BRANDON SMITHASSOCIATE VP
Highest-paid employee
40$118,276$30,320
MONICA FLIPPIN WYNNASSOCIATE VP
Highest-paid employee
40$137,066$10,752
JILL KRAMERVICE PRESIDENT
Highest-paid employee
32$101,302$28,239
BETSY BAREFOOTVICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director
5$32,657$0
SCOTT EVENBECKDIRECTOR AND INSTITUTE FEL
Trustee or director
4$12,000$0
LOUIS ALBERTDIRECTOR AND INSTITUTE ADV
Trustee or director, Officer
3$5,000$0
ISIS ARTZE-VEGADIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$500$0
LEO LAMBERTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$500$0
WENDY AULTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ED CASEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JILLIAN KINZIEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LAURA RENDONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
AARON THOMPSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JESSICA WILLIAMSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 18 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
ANDREW KOCHCEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$350,662$49,408
JOHN GARDNEREXECUTIVE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
40$337,423$28,420
ANGELA WHITESIDESECRETARY/TREASURER
Officer
40$152,641$20,919
STEPHANIE FOOTEVICE PRESIDENT
Highest-paid employee
40$139,842$29,211
BRANDON SMITHASSOCIATE VP
Highest-paid employee
40$122,945$26,498
MONICA FLIPPIN WYNNASSOCIATE VP
Highest-paid employee
40$127,903$12,404
ROBERT RODIERDIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY
Highest-paid employee
40$115,190$23,294
BETSY BAREFOOTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$32,914$0
SCOTT EVENBECKDIRECTOR AND INSTITUTE FELLOW
Trustee or director, Officer
3$11,000$0
LOUIS ALBERTDIRECTOR AND INSTITUTE ADVISOR
Trustee or director, Officer
3$4,500$0
ISIS ARTZE-VEGADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
WENDY AULTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ED CASEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JILLIAN KINZIEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LEO LAMBERTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LAURA RENDONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
AARON THOMPSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JESSICA WILLIAMSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
PO BOX 72, BREVARD, NC 28712-0072
In care of
% JOHN N GARDNER
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
ANDREW KOCH, PO BOX 72, BREVARD, NC 28712
Signed the 990
ANDREW KOCH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Phone
(828) 394-3178
Return prepared by
CHERRY BEKAERT ADVISORY LLC

Mission

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.

990 for the year ended September 30, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • 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.
    Expenses $4,204,769 · grants $31,000 · revenue $779,724
  • 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.
    Expenses $550,737 · revenue $219,647
  • WE HELD A NUMBER OF CONFERENCES THAT DREW IN HIGHER EDUCATORS FROM INSTITUTIONS ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.
    Expenses $421,573 · revenue $233,836
  • 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.
    Expenses $342,429 · revenue $169,486
  • RETENTION: CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING AN ANALYTICS-BASED RETENTION PLAN FOR SPECIFIC COHORTS SUCH AS FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS, SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS ETC.
    Expenses $32,513 · revenue $24,496
  • 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.
    Expenses $16,688
  • 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.
    Expenses $57,426 · revenue $283,288

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025September 30, 2026February 16, 2027Not due yet
2024September 30, 2025February 17, 2026990 on file
2023September 30, 2024February 18, 2025990 on file

IRS record

EIN
26-0166817
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2007
Accounting year ends
September
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Education (B11)
Assets (IRS master file)
$12,849,353
Income (IRS master file)
$10,547,955

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990September 2025$8,732,992$6,046,837$12,849,353XML
990September 2024$2,842,810$5,485,699$9,745,985XML
990September 2023$9,487,738$5,200,550$11,356,005XML
990September 2022$2,143,162$3,864,720$5,489,574IRS
990September 2021–––IRS
990September 2020–––IRS
990September 2019–––IRS
990September 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 26-0166817).

Questions about JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI

What is the EIN of JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI?
The employer identification number (EIN) of JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI is 26-0166817.
Is JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2007.
Are donations to JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
Who is the principal officer of JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI?
The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names ANDREW KOCH.
Who are the officers and directors of JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI?
The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 27 people; 16 received compensation from the organization, the highest $414,852 (ANDREW KOCH, CEO).
How much revenue does JOHN N GARDNER INSTITUTE FOREXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATI have?
On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $8,732,992, expenses of $6,046,837 and total assets of $12,849,353 at year end.

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