Nonprofit · EIN 82-1838644
THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST
Also known as ZEST EDUCATION
Tax-exempt · ST LOUIS, MO 63112
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $21,580,942 | $21,538,891 | $42,051 | $4,041,644 | $0 | $4,041,644 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $12,600,936 | $14,089,865 | -$1,488,929 | $3,999,593 | $0 | $3,999,593 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $14,021,553 | $12,750,091 | $1,271,462 | $5,488,522 | $0 | $5,488,522 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $21,242,340
- of which government grants
- $5,101,980
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $262,196
- Other revenue
- $76,406
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $12,889,499
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,568,111
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,320,308
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,373,483
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $43,879
- Accounting fees
- $189,414
- Occupancy
- $92,841
- Travel
- $330,777
- Depreciation
- $32,417
- Program services (functional)
- $20,582,299
- Management and general (functional)
- $938,908
- Fundraising (functional)
- $17,684
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $3,999,593
- Total assets, end of year
- $4,041,644
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $0
- Net assets, end of year
- $4,041,644
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $39,200
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $3,541,644
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $500,000
- Gross receipts
- $21,580,942
- Employees
- 32
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 2017
- State of legal domicile
- MO
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERIC SCROGGINS | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Trustee or director, Officer | 50 | $428,406 | $13,012 |
| JESSE DIXON | PARTNER Key employee | 50 | $220,774 | $13,475 |
| BRANDI CHIN | PARTNER Highest-paid employee | 50 | $196,290 | $19,018 |
| TANESIA LASHAY SIMMONS | PARTNER Highest-paid employee | 50 | $174,341 | $15,316 |
| RACHEL DONNICE POWERS | PARTNER Highest-paid employee | 50 | $175,793 | $5,145 |
| ANTONIO PACIFICO | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 50 | $145,077 | $16,400 |
| AYANNA BANKS | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 50 | $137,301 | $7,763 |
| BISHOP MICHAEL JONES SR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN LEMKEMEIER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN W KEMPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSICA PENA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEITH WILLIAMSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CINDY BRINKLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEMINA BERNARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 15 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERIC SCROGGINS | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Trustee or director, Officer | 50 | $375,356 | $13,759 |
| BRANDI CHIN | PARTNER Highest-paid employee | 50 | $192,756 | $22,027 |
| JESSE DIXON | PARTNER Key employee | 50 | $191,338 | $13,162 |
| TANESIA LASHAY SIMMONS | PARTNER Highest-paid employee | 50 | $176,928 | $17,700 |
| RACHEL DONNICE POWERS | PARTNER Highest-paid employee | 50 | $167,783 | $6,484 |
| AMELIA CORL | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 50 | $159,089 | $1,818 |
| TIARA SHEREE JORDAN | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 50 | $149,742 | $7,271 |
| ANTONIO PACIFICO | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 50 | $140,189 | $14,059 |
| BISHOP MICHAEL JONES SR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN LEMKEMEIER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN W KEMPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSICA PENA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEITH WILLIAMSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CINDY BRINKLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEMINA BERNARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIC SCROGGINS | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Trustee or director, Officer | 50 | $375,156 |
| JESSE DIXON | PARTNER Key employee | 50 | $177,157 |
| TANESIA LASHAY SIMMONS | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 50 | $166,739 |
| TIARA SHEREE JORDAN | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 50 | $136,927 |
| RACHEL DONNICE POWERS | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 50 | $125,371 |
| BISHOP MICHAEL JONES SR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN LEMKEMEIER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| TODD R SCHNUCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN W KEMPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| JESSICA PENA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| KEITH WILLIAMSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ANTHONY THOMPSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CINDY BRINKLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH ADEFIOYE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 5501 DELMAR BLVD SUITE A300, ST LOUIS, MO 63112-3054
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- ERIC SCROGGINS, 5501 DELMAR BLVD SUITE A300, ST LOUIS, MO 63112
- Signed the 990
- ERIC SCROGGINS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- Phone
- (314) 328-5688
- Website
- THEOPPORTUNITYTRUST.ORG
- Return prepared by
- PURK & ASSOCIATES PC
Mission
THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST INVESTS IN EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL SYSTEMS EAGER TO BUILD THE CAPACITY REQUIRED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT AND MEASURABLE CHANGE.
Program accomplishments
- OUR FIRST STRATEGIC PRIORITY IS TO ELEVATE THE VOICES OF THOSE MOST UNDERSERVED BY OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND EMPOWER FAMILIES AND STUDENTS TO DESIGN AND DRIVE CHANGE AS PART OF A BROAD AND DIVERSE COALITION. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO 1) STRENGTHEN PARENT LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY INFRASTRUCTURE BY ORGANIZING AND GROWING NEW NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS FOCUSED ON LOWEST 5% PERFORMING SCHOOLS IN ST. LOUIS CITY, SEEDING EFFORTS TO CREATE DEMAND IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, AND IMPROVING CHARTER PERCEPTIONS BY ORGANIZING 10K CHARTER PARENT VOICES VIA STATE CHARTER ASSOCIATION, 2) INCREASING TRUST THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY COALITIONS, AND 3) CONTINUE INVESTING IN EARLY STAGE GROWTH OF KEY PARTNERS.Expenses $2,152,035 · grants $909,453
- OUR SECOND STRATEGIC PRIORITY IS FOCUSED ON INCREASING ACCESS TO WORLD-CLASS SCHOOLS BY GROWING THE CAPACITY OF OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS, LAUNCHING NEW AND INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS, STRENGTHENING EXISTING SCHOOLS WITH CONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINED SUCCESS, AND HELPING DISTRICTS TO METHODICALLY TRANSFORM THEIR LOWEST PERFORMING SCHOOLS. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO 1) DRIVE TOWARD GOAL OF 25% STUDENTS IN QUALITY SEATS BY EXPANDING INVESTMENTS IN NEW SCHOOLS, EXPANDING INVESTMENTS TO ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS, AND MAINTAINING INVESTMENTS IN HIGH PERFORMING CHARTERS, 2) CATALYZE SUPPORT FOR DISTRICT AUTONOMOUS MODELS THROUGH COMMUNITY DESIGN AND POST-SECONDARY INTERMEDIARY INITIATIVE, AND 3) EXPLORE PARTNERSHIPS WITH SEVEN COUNTY DISTRICTS REPRESENTING 27K STUDENTS ENROLLED IN LOW-QUALITY SCHOOLS.Expenses $11,835,939 · grants $7,276,391
- OUR FIFTH STRATEGIC PRIORITY IS ADMINISTERING THE "EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES: MISSOURI CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (CSP)" THIS IS A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT WITH AN APPROVED BUDGET OF $35.5 MILLION TO HELP MISSOURI EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND QUALITY CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS. MISSOURI'S CSP PROGRAM HAS THREE OBJECTIVES: 1) INCREASE THE NUMBER OF QUALITY MISSOURI CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL SEATS, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR MOST EDUCATIONALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS; 2) SUPPORT QUALITY CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZING IN MISSOURI, THROUGH THE DISSEMINATION AND SUPPORT OF BEST AUTHORIZER PRACTICES STATEWIDE, AND 3) CODIFY AND SHARE LESSONS FROM HIGH-PERFORMING CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE EDUCATION ECOSYSTEM.Expenses $5,118,562 · grants $4,338,655
- Expenses $1,475,763 · grants $365,000
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
- 82-1838644
- 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
- 2017
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B19)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $4,041,644
- Income (IRS master file)
- $21,580,942
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $21,580,942 | $21,538,891 | $4,041,644 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $12,600,936 | $14,089,865 | $3,999,593 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $14,021,553 | $12,750,091 | $5,488,522 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $10,924,434 | $10,470,201 | $4,217,060 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | 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 82-1838644).
Questions about THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST
- What is the EIN of THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST is 82-1838644.
- Is THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2017.
- Are donations to THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST 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 OPPORTUNITY TRUST 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 OPPORTUNITY TRUST 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 OPPORTUNITY TRUST?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names ERIC SCROGGINS.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 14 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $428,406 (ERIC SCROGGINS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER).
- How much revenue does THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $21,580,942, expenses of $21,538,891 and total assets of $4,041,644 at year end.
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