Nonprofit · EIN 46-3120883
THE INNOVATION PROJECT
Tax-exempt · RALEIGH, NC 27658
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $5,928,960 | $6,643,823 | -$714,863 | $968,410 | $163,352 | $805,058 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $9,147,389 | $8,796,080 | $351,309 | $3,564,608 | $2,044,687 | $1,519,921 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $3,548,948 | $3,822,958 | -$274,010 | $2,850,535 | $1,681,923 | $1,168,612 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $5,394,508
- of which government grants
- $4,999,812
- Program service revenue
- $520,136
- Investment income
- $9,650
- Other revenue
- $4,666
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $642,059
- Other salaries and wages
- $464,496
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,287,606
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $175,205
- Occupancy
- $20,893
- Travel
- $102,236
- Depreciation
- $3,032
- Program services (functional)
- $6,202,754
- Management and general (functional)
- $339,587
- Fundraising (functional)
- $101,482
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $3,564,608
- Total assets, end of year
- $968,410
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $163,352
- Net assets, end of year
- $805,058
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $7,521
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $740,168
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $64,890
- Gross receipts
- $5,928,960
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 8
- Year formed
- 2013
- 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 June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR SHARON CONTRERAS | CEO Officer | 40 | $287,630 | $48,127 |
| MR JOE ABLEIDNGER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $191,680 | $20,490 |
| WINSTON MCGREGOR | COO Officer | 40 | $163,304 | $32,227 |
| DR BLAKE WIGGS | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INIA Highest-paid employee | 40 | $125,254 | $22,723 |
| DR KIMBERLY BLACKBURN MORRSION | SUPERINTENDENT IN RESIDENCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $100,269 | $9,724 |
| DR AARON WOODY | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR CRYSTAL HILL | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR KEITH PARKER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR KAREN ROSEBORO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR RODNEY TRICE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR JESSE PRATT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR JAMIE KING | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ROBERT TAYLOR | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 12 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR SHARON CONTRERAS | CEO Officer | 40 | $258,475 | $43,360 |
| MR JOE ABLEIDNGER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $191,680 | $40,538 |
| DANA BRINSON | SENIOR DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $169,238 | $26,639 |
| PATRICIA HILLIARD | SENIOR DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $142,300 | $24,437 |
| BLAKE WIGGS | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INIATIVES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $123,655 | $21,363 |
| AMIE CAUDLE | CREATIVE DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $105,780 | $10,777 |
| WINSTON MCGREGOR | COO Officer | 40 | $26,947 | $3,805 |
| DR NYAH HAMLETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR KEITH PARKER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR AARON WOODY | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MRS TRICIA MCMANUS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR MARVIN CONNELLY | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 10 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MR JOE ABLEIDNGER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $191,680 | $41,384 |
| DR SHARON CONTRERAS | CEO Officer | 40 | $82,940 | $13,679 |
| DR KIM MORRISON | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR MARVIN CONNELLY | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR VALERIE BRIDGES | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ALISA MCLEAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR TAKEDA LEGRAND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR AARON WOODY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MS CATTY MOORE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR NYAH HAMLETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 58673, RALEIGH, NC 27658-8673
- In care of
- % ANN MCCOLL
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- DR SHARON CONTRERAS, 111 BAIN STREET SUITE 349, GREENSBORO, NC 27406
- Signed the 990
- DR SHARON CONTRERAS, CEO
- Phone
- (984) 664-5411
- Website
- WWW.TIPNC.ORG
- 990-N for 2015 filed under this EIN
- Most likely by a chapter, club or affiliate (it says receipts are normally $50,000 or less). Officer: Joseph D Ableidinger, 6117 Chatford Drive, Raleigh NC 27612. Mailing address: 6117 Chatford Drive, Raleigh NC 27612.
- Return prepared by
- THOMAS JUDY & TUCKER PA
Mission
THE INNOVATION PROJECT IS A COLLABORATIVE OF FORWARD-THINKING EDUCATION LEADERS UNLEASHING STUDENT POTENTIAL AND SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LEARNING. MEMBERS INCLUDE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS NC THAT VARY IN SIZE, GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHICS AND ARE COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING PIONEERING INNOVATIONS TO IMPROVE STUDENT OUTCOMES
Program accomplishments
- ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE YEAR INCLUDE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT MEMBER DISTRICTS IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS TO BETTER SERVE STUDENTS AND INCREASE TEACHER QUALITY. SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON STRATEGIC STAFFING AND NEW TEAM MODELS, TEACHER APPRENTICESHIPS, INNOVATIVE PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION FOR EDUCATORS, HIGH IMPACT TUTORING, AND PIONEERING NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.Expenses $6,202,754 · revenue $524,802
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 46-3120883
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2014
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B99)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $968,410
- Income (IRS master file)
- $5,928,960
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $5,928,960 | $6,643,823 | $968,410 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $9,147,389 | $8,796,080 | $3,564,608 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $3,548,948 | $3,822,958 | $2,850,535 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $1,427,147 | $961,090 | $1,668,418 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2015 Officer: Joseph D Ableidinger Filed under this EIN, most likely by a chapter or affiliate | June 30, 2016 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
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 46-3120883).
Questions about THE INNOVATION PROJECT
- What is the EIN of THE INNOVATION PROJECT?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE INNOVATION PROJECT is 46-3120883.
- Is THE INNOVATION PROJECT tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2014.
- Are donations to THE INNOVATION PROJECT tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does THE INNOVATION PROJECT 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 THE INNOVATION PROJECT due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did THE INNOVATION PROJECT last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of THE INNOVATION PROJECT?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names DR SHARON CONTRERAS.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE INNOVATION PROJECT?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 13 people; 5 received compensation from the organization, the highest $287,630 (DR SHARON CONTRERAS, CEO).
- How much revenue does THE INNOVATION PROJECT have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $5,928,960, expenses of $6,643,823 and total assets of $968,410 at year end.
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