SHARP LITERACY INC

EIN: 391963963 501(c)(3) Human Services

MILWAUKEE, WI

Total Revenue
$1,094,326
Total Expenses
$1,381,952
Total Assets
$2,447,090
Net Assets
$2,372,960
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1999
Legal Domicile
WI
Principal Officer
LYNDA WELSH
Phone
4144103200
Tax Period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

SHARP LITERACY INC, founded in 1999, is a community nonprofit in the Human Services sector that reported $1.1M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue decreased 8% compared to the prior year. Expenses of $1.4M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 26% operating deficit.

Mission

SHARP PARTNERS WITH EDUCATORS TO FOSTER A LOVE OF LEARNING AND BRIGHTEN CHILDREN'S FUTURES THROUGH INNOVATIVE STEAM-BASED EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMS.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $896,362 Revenue: $44,617

FOR PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMSK3 PHYSICSOUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS DISCOVER CONCEPTS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE THROUGH PLAY, ART, MUSIC, MOVEMENT, READ ALOUDS, AND SEL ACTIVITIES. BY...

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FOR PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMSK3 PHYSICSOUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS DISCOVER CONCEPTS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE THROUGH PLAY, ART, MUSIC, MOVEMENT, READ ALOUDS, AND SEL ACTIVITIES. BY EXPERIMENTING WITH ITEMS THAT SINK OR FLOAT, COLORING A RAINBOW, DANCING ABOUT GRAVITY, OR LISTENING TO A STORY ABOUT FORCE AND MOTION, STUDENTS BECOME CURIOUS AND GRASP IDEAS ABOUT THE FASCINATING WORLD AROUND THEM. K4 ANIMALSADVENTURES AWAIT K4 STUDENTS AS THEY LEARN ABOUT ANIMALS. THROUGH AN ARTS INTEGRATED APPROACH THAT COMBINES STEAM, LITERACY, AND SEL, STUDENTS LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVING AND NONLIVING THINGS, METHODS IN WHICH ANIMALS COMMUNICATE, VARIOUS HABITATS AND ADAPTATIONS, AND SHELTERS. CURIOSITY IS SPARKED THROUGH ENGAGING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING LISTENING TO THE SONGS OF WHALES, DESIGNING A HOME FOR THEIR FAVORITE FURRY OR FEATHERED FRIEND, AND TAKING A VIRTUAL JOURNEY TO THE DESERT WITH A CAMEL, THE RAINFOREST WITH A TOUCAN, AND THE CORAL REEF WITH A SEA TURTLE. K5 PLANTSSTUDENTS FOLLOW THE JOURNEY OF A SEED TO A PLANT AND DISCOVER HOW PLANTS GROW AND CHANGE THROUGH THE SEASONS. SHARP'S ARTS INTEGRATED APPROACH COMBINES STEAM, LITERACY, AND SEL AND ENABLES STUDENTS TO EXPLORE THE SCIENCE OF PLANTS WHILE MAKING PERSONAL CONNECTIONS. THROUGH READ ALOUDS, OBSERVATION OF NATURE, HANDS-ON ART, AND VISUALIZATION, STUDENTS GROW AND THRIVE LIKE THE VERY PLANTS THEY ARE STUDYING. ART PROJECTS INCLUDE MAGIC TREE SCULPTURES, 3D FLOWERS, AND A COLLABORATIVE CLASSROOM LOLLIPOP TREE MURAL. 1ST POLLINATORSWHAT IS ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT? POLLINATORS! THROUGH AN ARTS INTEGRATED APPROACH THAT COMBINES STEAM, LITERACY, AND SEL, STUDENTS EXPLORE VARIOUS POLLINATORS AND TAKE AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT HONEYBEES, THEIR FASCINATING CHARACTERISTICS, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR ROLE TO ALL LIVING THIS. STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT HONEYBEE JOBS IN THE COLONY, METHODS OF COMMUNICATION, AND ANATOMY WHILE DISCOVERING WHAT MAKES THEM THE PLANET'S GREATEST POLLINATORS. COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ART PROJECTS INCLUDING THE WAGGLE DANCE, SCIENTIFIC BEE SCULPTURES, AND A COMMUNITY QUILT PROMOTE CURIOSITY AND AWARENESS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT. 2ND CYCLES IN NATURESTUDENTS TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO CYCLES IN NATURE THROUGH STEAM, LITERACY, AND SEL. ENGAGING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING AND ARTS-INTEGRATION BY CREATING A "CYCLE SHADOW BOX", YOUNG LEARNERS DEEPEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE CONCEPTS, BUILD CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS, AND DEVELOP SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES WHILE BOOSTING CURIOSITY AND A LOVE OF LEARNING. 3RD - DISCOVER WAUKESHASTUDENTS ENGAGE IN AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE ABOUT THE RICH HISTORY OF THEIR CITY AND ITS EXCITING PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS OF TODAY. YOUNG LEARNERS LOOK TOWARD WAUKESHA'S FUTURE AND THEIR ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY. SHARP'S ARTS INTEGRATED APPROACH COMBINES SOCIAL STUDIES, LITERACY, AND SEL, AND PROMOTES STUDENT ENGAGEMENT THROUGH COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES INCLUDING WAUKESHA SCULPTURES, A CLASS RIVERWALK MURAL, AND A PERSONALIZED GUITAR DESIGN INSPIRED BY MUSICIAN AND INNOVATOR LES PAUL. THROUGH SHARP WORKSHOPS, STUDENTS WILL LITERALLY DISCOVER WAUKESHA AND DEVELOP A DEEPER CONNECTION TO THE PLACE THEY CALL HOME. 3RD CODE AND DESIGNEMBARK ON AN EXCITING JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF VIDEO GAME DESIGN WITH OUR HANDS-ON AND INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS. YOUNG GAME ENTHUSIASTS WILL DIVE INTO THE FUNDAMENTALS OF VIDEO GAME DESIGN, LEARNING HOW TO CREATE THEIR OWN UNIQUE GAMES USING BLOCK CODING. STUDENTS FIRST LEARN ABOUT ALGORITHMS, LOOPS, EVENTS, LOGIC, AND DEBUGGING. STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO USE BASIC TOOLS TO DESIGN CHARACTERS, ENVIRONMENTS, AND OTHER IN-GAME ELEMENTS LIKE GOAL, INTERACTION, RULES, AND CHALLENGE. STUDENTS BUILD ON THIS FOUNDATION TO MAKE A GAME USING SKILLS IN STORYTELLING, PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND DIGITAL CREATIVITY. BY THE END OF THIS COURSE, STUDENTS WILL NOT ONLY HAVE A SOLID GRASP OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF VIDEO GAME DESIGN BUT WILL ALSO HAVE CREATED THEIR OWN FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND ENGAGING VIDEO GAMES THAT THEY CAN BE PROUD OF. 4TH CODE AND BUILDBUILDING UPON THE CODING BASICS LEARNED IN CODE AND DESIGN ( 3RD GRADE PROGRAM), PARTICIPANTS CODE AND BUILD (4TH GRADE PROGRAM) FOLLOW THE DESIGN THINKING PROCESS AND ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO HELP EXPLORE ISSUES IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND WORK TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH THEIR ORIGINAL PROTOTYPE. IN COLLABORATIVE GROUPS, PARTICIPANTS EMPATHIZE AND IDEATE BEFORE DESIGNING THEIR PROTOTYPE FIRST BY CREATING A DIGITAL RENDERING IN CODE.ORG AND THEN BUILDING A PHYSICAL MODEL. DEVELOPED TO TAP ESSENTIAL SKILLS SUCH AS PROBLEM-SOLVING, COLLABORATION, CRITICAL THINKING, AND CREATIVITY, THIS PROGRAM ENDS WITH A DESIGN CHALLENGE WHERE GROUPS PITCH THEIR INNOVATIVE IDEAS TO GUEST PROFESSIONALS FOR A CHANCE TO ADVANCE TO THE INTERSCHOOL DESIGN CHALLENGE! 5TH CODE AND CIRCUITIN THE CODE AND CIRCUIT PROGRAM, STUDENTS EXPLORE PHYSICAL COMPUTING BY COMBINING ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND CODING SKILLS TO DESIGN AND BUILD A CIRCUIT-BASED FUNCTIONAL PROTOTYPE. THEY CREATE BLOCK-BASED PROGRAMS TO CONTROL THEIR CIRCUITS, WHICH INCLUDE COMPONENTS LIKE BREADBOARDS, JUMPER WIRES, RESISTORS, LEDS, AND BUZZERS. USING THE BBC MICRO:BIT AND THE MAKECODE ONLINE PLATFORM, STUDENTS LEARN KEY PROGRAMMING CONCEPTS SUCH AS EVENTS, INPUTS, OUTPUTS, LOOPS, AND SEQUENCING. WORKING IN TEAMS, THEY DESIGN A TRANSPORTATION-THEMED FINAL PROJECT THAT INTEGRATES A SEQUENCE OF LEDS AND A BUZZER. THE CURRICULUM COVERS COMPUTER SCIENCE, THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS, LITERACY, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND ELEMENTS OF DESIGN AND THE ARTS.RECOMMENDED: 1 TIME A WEEK FOR 12 WEEKS OR 2 TIME A WEEK FOR 6 WEEKS (ONE HOUR WORKSHOPS)SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS.T.A.R. - SEL THROUGH ART AND READINGYOUNG LEARNERS WILL BUILD THEIR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) COMPETENCIES THROUGH A NEW FUN AND ENGAGING BOOK EACH LESSON, PAIRED WITH MOVEMENT, ART PROJECTS, AND PLAY-BASED LEARNING. FOCUSING ON SOCIAL AWARENESS, SELF-MANAGEMENT, SELF-AWARENESS, RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING, AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS, THIS SEL-INFUSED CURRICULUM WILL BUILD BOTH COMMUNITY AND CARE IN THE CLASSROOM. RECOMMENDED: K - 2NDGROWING CREATIVITYYOU DON'T NEED A LARGE GARDEN BED OR A GREENHOUSE TO GROW KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS FOR GARDENING AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES! THIS ADAPTED VERSION OF OUR GARDEN & GREENHOUSE PROGRAM IS NOW AVAILABLE TO ANY SITE WITH STUDENTS STRIVING TO MAKE THE WORLD AROUND THEM BETTER FOR ALL THROUGH PLANTS, GARDENS, FOOD, AND TAKING CARE OF OUR PLANET. TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLANTS AND GROWING METHODS, THE IMPORTANCE OF GARDENING, GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD, HEALTHY EATING, AND RECYCLING. SEL CONCEPTS AND THE ARTS ARE INTEGRATED INTO EACH EXPERIENCE TO ENSURE STUDENT-FIRST LEARNING.RECOMMENDED: 3RD - 5THGARDEN & GREENHOUSE: GROWING CREATIVITYSITES WITH GREENHOUSES CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY OUR POPULAR GARDEN & GREENHOUSE PROGRAM FOCUSED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GARDENING AND GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD COMBINED WITH NEW TOPICS AND ART FROM OUR GROWING CREATIVITY CURRICULUM. WITH ACCESS TO GREENHOUSE SPACE, STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLANTS, GROWING MEDIUMS, AND BEST PRACTICES WITHIN A GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE ENVIRONMENT. RECOMMENDED: 3RD - 5THSTEAM DREAM TEAMSTUDENTS WILL EXPLORE AMERICA'S FAVORITE PASTIME AND TAKE ON THE ROLES OF MUCH MORE THAN A PLAYER! FROM MASCOTS TO TEAM LOGOS TO BASEBALL CARDS, STUDENTS WILL ENGAGE IN HANDS-ON ART ACTIVITIES AND BECOME YOUNG DESIGNERS WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL BANK PARTNERSHIPS, THEY WILL LEARN HOW TO BUDGET FOR A BIG GAME AND BECOME FINANCIAL EXPERTS. AND THEY'LL PUT THEIR STEAM SKILLS TO WORK AS THEY RECORD AND WRITE UP STATS FOR ONE ANOTHER. THIS PROGRAM IS SURE TO BE A HOMERUN!RECOMMENDED: 3RD - 5THAI ARTSTUDENTS ENGAGE IN A DESIGN CHALLENGE INITIATED BY MIAD FACULTY MEMBERS WHILE VISITING THE FACILITIES ON AN EDUCATIONAL TOUR. DURING THE WORKSHOPS, STUDENT TEAMS LEVERAGE AI TECHNOLOGY TO GENERATE IDEAS AND CONTENT FOR AN EXPERIENTIAL DINING RESTAURANT DESIGNED INTO A MOCK WEBSITE. STUDENTS THEN SHOWCASE THEIR RESTAURANT CONCEPT AND WEBSITE TO A PANEL OF JUDGES. RECOMMENDED: 5TH - 8THREADING PROGRAMSSHARP PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COLLEGE SPORTS TEAMS LIKE THE MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES AND THE UW-MILWAUKEE PANTHERS TO IGNITE YOUNG STUDENTS' PASSION FOR READING AND LEARNING. PLAYERS JOIN 1ST THROUGH 3RD GRADE CLASSROOMS AT SHARP PARTNER SCHOOLS TO READ A BOOK AND SHARE HOW DEDICATION TO SCHOOL PLAYED A PART IN GETTING THEM TO WHERE THEY ARE TODAY. DURING SPECIAL VISITS, STUDENTS ARE JOINED NOT ONLY BY PLAYERS BUT ALSO MASCOTS!

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $977,300
Program Service Revenue $44,390
Investment Income $65,266
Other Revenue $7,370
TOTAL REVENUE $1,094,326

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $1,017,826
Fundraising Expenses $283,459
Program Expenses $896,362
Other Expenses $364,126
TOTAL EXPENSES $1,381,952

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $1,094,326 $1,184,554 -0.1%
Expenses $1,381,952 $1,590,682 -0.1%
Net Income $-287,626 $-406,128 -0.3%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
32
Independent Members
32
Employees
35
Volunteers
32

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
6
$237,457
Total Directors
32
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
LYNDA WELSH PRESIDENT/CEO 40.00
Officer
$210,318 $27,139 $237,457
MEGHAN SLOCUM CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
SCHUYLER FILE VICE CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
TODD CLEMENS TREASURER 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
LINDA FISCHER SECRETARY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
GEORGE BAUMANN PAST CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
JASON ALLEN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
LORI BECHTOLD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL ANDRADE DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JAMES BURKE DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
THOMAS GALE DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
NORRIE DAROGA DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TOM HECHT DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PATRICK HENDERSON DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RANDAL HOPPER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DANA JOHNSON DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MATTHEW KATZ DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
HANNAH KITZEROW DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SHANNON WEST DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JAN LENNON DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JESSICA VANDER ZANDEN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DANIEL MEYER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JIM MUELLER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BRITTANY LOPEZ NALEID DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
AMANDA PORTERFIELD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DEB ROESNER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ANDREA SCHLOEMER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
OMAR SHAIKH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CANDACE SPEARS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DEAN STIER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
NICK SULLIVAN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOHNNY ZIZZO DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARYBETH BUDISCH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $1,094,326 $1,381,952 $2,447,090 $-287,626
2024 No data No data No data No data
2023 $1,886,640 $1,584,028 $2,956,614 $302,612
2022 $1,650,018 $1,552,306 $2,635,652 $97,712
2021 $1,209,168 $1,091,467 $2,871,180 $117,701
2020 $1,097,554 $1,058,144 $2,520,477 $39,410
2019 $1,144,217 $1,056,513 $2,386,456 $87,704
2018 $1,013,286 $1,003,303 $2,226,508 $9,983
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