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Learning Ally

CharityWatch report issued
October 2022

Top-Rated Charity
B+
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
77%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$30
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Learning Ally
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540

Other Names

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

Dedicated to equipping educators with proven solutions that help struggling learners to reach their potential.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2021

Program Percentage: 77%

The percentage of Learning Ally's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$24,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $30

How many dollars Learning Ally spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$4,700,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

25% to 49%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Learning Ally IRS Form 990 13-1659345
Learning Ally Audited Financial Statements 13-1659345
Entity: Learning Ally
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 13-1659345
Entity: Learning Ally
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 13-1659345

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Learning Ally
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Learning Ally
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Andrew Friedman President/CEO $504,426
2 Cynthia Hamburger COO/CIO $389,653
3 Tim Wilson CFO $352,737
1
Name: Andrew Friedman
Title: President/CEO
Compensation: $504,426
2
Name: Cynthia Hamburger
Title: COO/CIO
Compensation: $389,653
3
Name: Tim Wilson
Title: CFO
Compensation: $352,737

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the Learning Ally audited Statement of Activities for the year ended June 30, 2021, Learning Ally received in-kind "Donated services, goods and rent" on which it placed a total value of $2,900,844. Of that amount, $2,879,714 consisted of donated services, "primarily of recording studio time incurred/contributed by volunteers," according to audit Note G, Donated Services, Goods and Rent.

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the Learning Ally audit of June 30, 2021 (Note K, Payment Protection Program (PPP) Loan Payable):

"On March 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ('CARES Act'). One component of that Act was PPP under the auspices of the SBA [Small Business Administration]. On April 16, 2020, the Organization received a $2,082,100 PPP loan. Neither principle nor interest was due through June 18, 2021, as determined by the SBA and the bank. On June 18, 2021, the entire loan was forgiven by the SBA and is recorded as gain on forgiveness on Paycheck Protection Program loan payable on the [audited] statement of activities."

According to the Learning Ally audit of June 30, 2021 (Note L-2, Commitments and Contingencies, Litigation):

"The Organization is a party to litigation and other claims in the ordinary course of business. During the year ended June 30, 2021, the Organization settled a lawsuit and received proceeds of $1,500,000. In the opinion of management, besides the aforementioned lawsuit settlement, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a significant effect on the financial position, changes in net assets or cash flows of the Organization."


According to the Learning Ally audit of June 30, 2021 (Note L-3, Commitments and Contingencies, Coronavirus):

"The extent of the impact of the coronavirus ('COVID-19') outbreak on the financial performance of the Organization will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and related advisories and restrictions and the impact of COVID-19 on the financial markets and the overall economy, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. However, in response to COVID-19, the Organization has adjusted its operations to continue to serve its customers. Overall, the Organization has managed adverse effects and will continue to monitor the potential impact in the future."

According to the Learning Ally tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, Learning Ally reports re: Compensation, Supplemental Information (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III):

Regarding the payment or accrual of any compensation to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees contingent on the revenues of the organization (Schedule J, Part I, line 5a):

"To enroll and retain schools [sic] participation in implementing Learning Allys [sic] educational solution, the following individuals bonus/incentive was based on certain revenues of the organization: Robert Edenzon, Carole Williams, Rebecca Hatcher, Cynthia Cortina, Shannon Penrose-Maddux, April Zay, and Scott Bernard Burns. The amount of such bonus/incentive is determined by applying a percentage to specified membership revenue. The percentage applied can range from 2 to 25 depending on the level of revenue which ranges from up to $75,000 to in excess of $750,000."


Learning Ally reports "Bonus & incentive compensation" payments to 26 individuals in calendar year 2020, including $146,207 paid to Rebecca Hatcher, Team Lead, Inside Sales Rep, and $94,500 paid to Andrew Friedman, President & CEO. The reported total compensation in 2020 for Hatcher and Friedman is $227,374 and $504,426, respectively. The other 24 reported "Bonus & incentive compensation" payments range from $82,500 to $5,400, including the bonus/incentive amounts for R. Edenzon, C. Williams, C. Cortina, S. Penrose-Maddux, and A. Zay (cited above, along with R. Hatcher), which range from $80,661 to $20,388. The associated reported total compensation for these 24 individuals ranges from $389,653 to $163,275 (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II). [Scott Bernard Burns, also listed among the individuals cited on Schedule J, Part III re: Schedule J, Part I, line 5a, is not reported on Schedule J, Part II. Therefore, the bonus/incentive payment he received is not reported. His reported total compensation in calendar year 2020 is reported as $144,581, according to IRS Form 990, Part VII.]