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Non-profit

Educators for Excellence

Website:

e4e.org/
Location:

New York, NY
Tax ID:

27-338-2030
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $11,440,809
Expenses: $15,226,783
Assets: $12,256,904

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Educators for Excellence is a nonprofit organization that advocates for paying teachers a higher salary and increased spending on education 1 while opposing seniority-based layoffs. 2 It represents about 30,000 educators 3 with chapters in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Minnesota, and Connecticut. 4

Educators for Excellence has opposed the Parents Bill of Rights Act that would give parents the right to review school district curricula and library books. 5

The nonprofit was criticized by the Chicago Teachers Union with claims that Educators for Excellence was meddling with internal union elections in 2022 in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Chicago Teachers Union called Educators for Excellence a “well-oiled national machine” that was supported by “rightwing philanthropists,” 6 even though the group has supported left-of-center policies. 7

History

Educators for Excellence was started in 2010 by a group of teachers from the New York City public school district. 8 A group of young teachers in the district were facing layoffs as New York City Schools was planning 8,500 layoffs in 2010. 9 The young teachers formed Educators for Excellence to lobby against seniority-based rules for layoffs. 10

2023 Survey

Educators for Excellence released a 2023 survey of 1,000 full-time teachers. 11 The survey found that 66 percent of teachers said their school is not meeting the needs of students who struggle the most. Only 14 percent of teachers said they would recommend the teaching profession to others. 12 The survey concluded that “raising salaries across the board” was the best way to “attract and retain a talented and diverse workforce.” 13

Opposition to Parents Bill of Rights

The Parents Bill of Rights Act that passed the U.S. House in March 2023 would require schools to notify parents of their rights. 14 The bill would allow parents to review curriculum being taught to their children, inspect the books at school libraries, and alert them if a natal male were allowed to play in a girls’ sport. 15

Educators for Excellence opposed the Parents Bill of Rights. It claimed that the bill “sends the message” that parents “don’t trust teachers to do their jobs” and its intent was to limit teachers use of “culturally relevant” materials from their teachings for fear of punishment. 16

Educators for Excellence advocated that people contact their legislators to oppose the legislation. 17

Criticism by Chicago Teachers Union

In March 2022, the Chicago Teachers Union claimed that Educators for Excellence was involved in union election “takeover efforts” in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. 18 The Chicago Teachers Union stated that Educators for Excellence fielded its own slate of union candidates in Chicago. 19

The Chicago Teachers Union called Educators for Excellence “a well-oiled national group” that had corporate funders and was supported by “rightwing philanthropists” that supported school privatization, charter expansion and “union busting.” 20

Critical Race Theory

Educators for Excellence claimed that “conservative state leaders” mischaracterized Critical Race Theory in an effort to remove “any teaching about race or racism” in K-12 schools. 21 Educators for Excellence defined Critical Race Theory as an “academic concept” that has a core idea that race is a social construct and that racism is not just the product of individual bias or prejudice but is embedded in legal systems and policies. 22

Funding

Educators for Excellence had $11.4 million in revenue and $15.2 million in expenses in 2020. 23

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave Educators for Excellence a $500,000 grant in 2021 and a $400,00 grant in 2022. 24 The Joyce Foundation donated $925,000 to Educators for Excellence from 2019 to 2022. 25

Leadership

Evan Stone co-founded Educators for Excellence in 2009 and is the co-CEO. 26 He was a sixth-grade teacher with Teach For America in New York City from 2007 to 2010. 27

Sydney Morris is the co-founder and co-CEO of Educators for Excellence. She was a teacher for Teach for America in New York City from 2007 to 2010. 28

Peter Flaherty is the chair of Educators for Excellence’s board of directors. 29 He is also the managing director of Arcon Partners, a private investment firm. Flaherty is director emeritus of McKinsey and Company, where he worked with financial institutions and media and information companies. 30

Michael Loeb is the treasurer for the board of directors for Educators for Excellence. 31 He has served as treasurer since May 2010. Loeb is also a chapter leader in the Bronx, New York for the United Federation of Teachers union, a role he has held since July 2011. 32

Protecting Jobs of Teachers of Color

Educators for Excellence published a report in February 2023 that said seniority-based layoffs were having a negative impact on teachers of color. 33  The report stated there were 12 states that require teacher layoffs on seniority. 34 The report stated that teachers of color were more likely to be earlier in their career, making them more likely to lose their jobs during layoffs. 35

In July 2022, Stone, Co-CEO of Educators for Excellence, called for districts and teachers’ unions to put “policies in place” to protect teachers of color from layoffs. 36

References

  1. Educators For Excellence. “Tell US Legislators: Pay Teachers A Living Wage”; Accessed May 14, 2023. https://e4e.org/take-action/get-involved/tell-us-legislators-pay-teachers-living-wage
  2. Educators For Excellence. “Majority Of States Have Teacher Layoff Policies That Prioritize Seniority Over Effectiveness, Negatively Impacting Teachers Of Color”; Feb. 28, 2023. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://e4e.org/blog-news/press-release/majority-states-have-teacher-layoff-policies-prioritize-seniority-over
  3. [1] Jennifer Medina. “Teacher Seniority Under Scrutiny”; New York Times. April 26, 2023. Accessed May 21, 2023.
  4. Educators For Excellence. 990 Form. 2020. 990 Schedule O, Supplemental Information. Accessed May 19, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/273382030/05_2021_prefixes_27-30%2F273382030_202006_990_2021052018152775
  5. Educators For Excellence. The Bulletin Board. March 23, 2023. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://e4e.org/blog-news/blog/parents-bill-rights-parent-empowerment
  6. Jesse Sharkey. “We’ve Gone To Court To Stop Interference In Our Union Election”; Chicago Teachers Union. March 24, 2022. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.ctulocal1.org/posts/weve-gone-to-court-to-stop-interference-in-our-union-election/
  7. Educators For Excellence. The Bulletin Board. March 23, 2023. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://e4e.org/blog-news/blog/parents-bill-rights-parent-empowerment
  8. Educators For Excellence. Our Story. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://e4e.org/about-us/our-story
  9. Jennifer Medina. “Teacher Seniority Under Scrutiny”; New York Times. April 26, 2010. Accessed May 21, 2023.
  10. Jennifer Medina. “Teacher Seniority Under Scrutiny”; New York Times. April 26, 2010. Accessed May 21, 2023.
  11. Voices From The Classroom 2023. Accessed May 17, 2023. https://e4e.org/sites/default/files/voices_from_the_classroom_2023.pdf
  12. Voices From The Classroom 2023. Accessed May 17, 2023. https://e4e.org/sites/default/files/voices_from_the_classroom_2023.pdf
  13. Voices From The Classroom 2023. Accessed May 17, 2023. https://e4e.org/sites/default/files/voices_from_the_classroom_2023.pdf
  14. U.S. Congress. H.R.5 Parents Bill of Rights Act. Summary. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5
  15. U.S. Congress. H.R.5 Parents Bill of Rights Act. Summary. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5
  16. Educators For Excellence. The Bulletin Board. March 23, 2023. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://e4e.org/blog-news/blog/parents-bill-rights-parent-empowerment
  17. Educators For Excellence. The Bulletin Board. March 23, 2023. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://e4e.org/blog-news/blog/parents-bill-rights-parent-empowerment
  18. Jesse Sharkey. “We’ve Gone To Court To Stop Interference In Our Union Election”; Chicago Teachers Union. March 24, 2022. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.ctulocal1.org/posts/weve-gone-to-court-to-stop-interference-in-our-union-election/
  19. Jesse Sharkey. “We’ve Gone To Court To Stop Interference In Our Union Election”; Chicago Teachers Union. March 24, 2022. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.ctulocal1.org/posts/weve-gone-to-court-to-stop-interference-in-our-union-election/
  20. Jesse Sharkey. “We’ve Gone To Court To Stop Interference In Our Union Election”; Chicago Teachers Union. March 24, 2022. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.ctulocal1.org/posts/weve-gone-to-court-to-stop-interference-in-our-union-election/
  21. Educators For Excellence. The Bulletin Board. March 23, 2023. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://e4e.org/blog-news/blog/parents-bill-rights-parent-empowerment
  22. [1] Educators For Excellence. “Don’t Erase History”; Accessed May 19. 2023. https://e4e.org/donterasehistory
  23. Educators For Excellence. Form 990. Part I. Summary. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/273382030/05_2021_prefixes_27-30%2F273382030_202006_990_2021052018152775
  24. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Committed Grants. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants?q=%22Educators%20for%20excellence%22#committed_grants
  25. The Joyce Foundation. Grants Database. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://www.joycefdn.org/grants-database?query=%22Educators+For+Excellence%22&grantYear[0]=0&grantYearOpen=on
  26. Evan Stone. LinkedIn. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-stone-68b4396/
  27. Evan Stone. LinkedIn. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-stone-68b4396/
  28. Sydney Morris. LinkedIn. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydneymorris/
  29. Educators For Excellence. Our Board. Accessed May 20, 2023. https://e4e.org/about-us/our-board
  30. John Hopkins School Of Advanced International Studies. Peter Flaherty. Accessed May 20, 2023. https://sais.jhu.edu/peter-flaherty-b67-68
  31. Educators For Excellence. Our Board. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://e4e.org/about-us/our-board
  32. Michael Loeb. LinkedIn. Accessed May 20, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-loeb-992b78b6/
  33. Educators For Excellence. “Majority Of States Have Teacher Layoff Policies That Prioritize Seniority Over Effectiveness, Negatively Impacting Teachers Of Color”; Feb. 28, 2023. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://e4e.org/blog-news/press-release/majority-states-have-teacher-layoff-policies-prioritize-seniority-over
  34. Educators For Excellence. “Majority Of States Have Teacher Layoff Policies That Prioritize Seniority Over Effectiveness, Negatively Impacting Teachers Of Color”; Feb. 28, 2023. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://e4e.org/blog-news/press-release/majority-states-have-teacher-layoff-policies-prioritize-seniority-over
  35. Educators For Excellence. “Majority Of States Have Teacher Layoff Policies That Prioritize Seniority Over Effectiveness, Negatively Impacting Teachers Of Color”; Feb. 28, 2023. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://e4e.org/blog-news/press-release/majority-states-have-teacher-layoff-policies-prioritize-seniority-over
  36. Educators For Excellence. “New Policy Brief Reveals Need To Specifically Retain Teachers Of Color, Opportunities To Do So”; July 27, 2022. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://e4e.org/blog-news/press-release/new-policy-brief-reveals-need-specifically-retain-teachers-color
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: March 1, 2011

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Jun Form 990 $11,440,809 $15,226,783 $12,256,904 $2,772,590 N $11,360,560 $0 $73,315 $745,132 PDF
    2019 Jun Form 990 $17,825,248 $15,805,217 $14,251,255 $990,281 N $17,734,677 $0 $104,042 $649,591 PDF
    2018 Jun Form 990 $11,918,654 $14,712,482 $12,145,464 $919,084 Y $11,858,665 $0 $58,106 $639,491 PDF
    2017 Jun Form 990 $13,617,823 $14,990,351 $14,822,621 $806,886 N $13,579,549 $0 $30,801 $494,889 PDF
    2016 Jun Form 990 $14,196,410 $11,378,560 $16,115,583 $726,083 N $14,169,852 $0 $18,261 $494,889 PDF
    2015 Jun Form 990 $15,373,432 $7,612,852 $13,145,209 $577,138 N $15,359,623 $0 $5,251 $376,814 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $6,546,611 $5,277,200 $5,194,460 $387,712 N $6,524,152 $0 $3,273 $320,780 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $5,136,149 $3,383,253 $3,695,791 $158,345 N $5,135,182 $0 $489 $240,000 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $1,301,662 $774,202 $1,870,565 $86,015 N $1,297,548 $0 $102 $95,000 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $1,926,028 $897,998 $1,295,376 $38,286 N $1,926,028 $0 $0 $146,651 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Educators for Excellence

    80 PINE ST 28TH FLR
    New York, NY 10005-1733