Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Columbia, SC EIN: 38-4190832

The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation develops and sustains an in-to-end teacher pipeline. By upskilling educators to leverage data-driven, innovative strategies tailored to each learner, the epi center prepares teachers to create transformative educational and economic opportunities for lasting impact in classrooms and communities.

Key facts about Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc

In short: Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc gave $837K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $120K), mostly in South Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
38-4190832
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$837,000
Grants made (2025)
7
Average grant
$119,571
Median grant
$140,000
Total assets
$5,815,087
Primary geography
South Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$5.8M

+9.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$837K

Grant Count

7

Avg Grant Size

$120K

About Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc

Based on IRS filings

Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc is a public charity focused on Education, based in Columbia, SC. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $837K.

Focus Areas

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.

Cities

DenmarkColumbiaGeorgetownOrangeburgRock HillWinnsboro

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M0 grants2022 1 grant2023 0 grants2024 7 grants2025

From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $837K (2025) to $1.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $837K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 6 recipients in 2025

Voorhees University - Vnet: $210KVoorhees University - Vnet$210KGeorgetown County School District: $150KGeorgetown County SchoolDistrict$150KFairfield County School District: $150KFairfield County SchoolDistrict$150KRock Hill School: $140KRock Hill School$140KOrangeburg County School District: $105KOrangeburg County SchoolDistrict$105KRichland School District 2: $70KRichland School District 2$70K

The largest 2025 recipient was Voorhees University - Vnet ($210K). Together the top 6 received $825K.

Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($12,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

8 grants across all recorded years

1<$50K1$50–100K5$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 5 grants of 8 (63%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Voorhees University - Vnet Denmark, SCV-net (voorhees network for enhanced teaching) is a federal teacher quality partnership (TQP) grant that prepares and supports educators to improve teaching effectiveness and student achievement in high-need South Carolina schools. Assistance included $35,000 living wage stipends for teacher residents participating in an 11-month residency while completing certification requirements through the program.$210,000
Georgetown County School District Georgetown, SCLiving Wage Stipends to Fellows$150,000
Fairfield County School District Winnsboro, SCLiving Wage Stipends to Fellows$150,000
Rock Hill School Rock Hill, SCLiving Wage Stipends to Fellows$140,000
Orangeburg County School District Orangeburg, SCLiving Wage Stipends to Fellows$105,000
Richland School District 2 Columbia, SCLiving Wage Stipends to Fellows$70,000
1 grant to individuals Recipients not named —$12,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
$0$5M$10M$15M2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$5,815,087$5,292,442$1,489,512
Revenue$8,357,327$9,747,337$5,004,871
Expenses$8,572,767$6,887,330$4,659,320

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 14, 2026)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc is led by Damara H. Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer since 2025 (on filings since 2023); 3 of 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Damara H. Mitchell

    Chief Executive Officer

    CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2025

    On filings since 2023

    25 hrs/week

    $103K (2024) → $110K (2025)

  • Laronda Johnson

    Board Chair

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lamyra Sanders Dukes

    Board Chair

    New on the 2025 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Cinthia Wolfe

    Director of Administration & Leadership Development

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $125K (2025)

  • Tondaleya Green Jackson

    Chief Operating Officer

    New on the 2025 filing

    30 hrs/week

    $100K (2025)

  • Jamie Devine

    Secretary

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mamie Shippy

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Dmara Hightower Michell (2022) — CEO

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Cinthia Wolfe — Director of Administration & Leadership Dev.: $125KCinthia WolfeDirector of Administration &…$125KDamara H Mitchell — Chief Executive Officer: $110KDamara H MitchellChief Executive Officer$110KTondaleya Green Jackson — Chief Operating Officer: $100KTondaleya Green JacksonChief Operating Officer$100K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $125K, to Cinthia Wolfe (Director of Administration & Leadership Dev.). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc

How much does Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc give each year?

Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc gave $837K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.

What is Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc's typical grant size?

Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $140,000, and its average grant was $119,571, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc give grants?

Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc gives mostly in South Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.

Does Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Living Wage Stipends to Fellows" (5 grants).

Who are Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc's largest grantees?

Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Voorhees University - Vnet ($210,000), Georgetown County School District ($150,000) and Fairfield County School District ($150,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($12,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc?

Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc reported $5.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.4M.

What is Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc?

Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc is a public charity focused on Education, based in Columbia, SC. It holds $5.8M in total assets as of 2025.

What is Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc's EIN?

Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-4190832. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

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