Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc
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.
Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $837,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- Average grant
- $119,571
- Median grant
- $140,000
- Total assets
- $5,815,087
- +9.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
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
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 5 grants of 8 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $837K (2025) to $1.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $837K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Voorhees University - Vnet Denmark, SC | V-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, SC | Living Wage Stipends to Fellows | $150,000 |
| Fairfield County School District Winnsboro, SC | Living Wage Stipends to Fellows | $150,000 |
| Rock Hill School Rock Hill, SC | Living Wage Stipends to Fellows | $140,000 |
| Orangeburg County School District Orangeburg, SC | Living Wage Stipends to Fellows | $105,000 |
| Richland School District 2 Columbia, SC | Living Wage Stipends to Fellows | $70,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $12,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,815,087 | $8,357,327 | $8,572,767 | $837,000 | 7 |
| 2024 | $5,292,442 | $9,747,337 | $6,887,330 | — | — |
| 2023 | $1,489,512 | $5,004,871 | $4,659,320 | $1,276,540 | 1 |
| 2022 | $266,643 | $2,134,789 | $1,899,203 | — | — |
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
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
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.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 14, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
Live grants for the work Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?