Elevate USA
Elevate USA is a public charity based in Lakewood, Colorado. It is a national organization that launches and supports a network of independent nonprofit affiliates serving young people; its 2024 filing says the network served over 12,000 students in 20 cities.
Elevate USA at a glance
In short: Elevate USA gave $499K across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $31K), top state Florida. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $498,795
- -7.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- +6.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $31,175
- -13.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $1,474,452
- +17.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (1 of 16, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (20% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Elevate USA
- Contact
Mailing address: 18475 W Colfax Ave Suite 132, Lakewood, CO 80401
Phone: (720) 320-0252
Website: https://elevatetheusa.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Elevate USA funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Elevate Louisville ($50K). Together the top 10 received $364K.
Grant Size Distribution
45 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 34 grants of 45 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Elevate USA describes its affiliate network as operating in 20 cities across the country. Its 2024 grants went to organizations in multiple states; the largest shares of grant dollars went to Florida (20%), Georgia (15%), Kentucky (10%), Arizona (10%), and Alabama (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Elevate USA open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 16 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $32K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 81% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $419K (2022) to $537K (2023). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $499K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Elevate Louisville Louisville, KY | Affiliate Support | $50,000 |
| Elevate Navajo Fort Defiance, AZ | Affiliate Support | $50,000 |
| Elevate Tampa Bay Tampa, FL | Affiliate Support | $50,000 |
| Elevate West Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL | Affiliate Support | $50,000 |
| Elevate Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT | Affiliate Support | $39,453 |
| Elevate Greater Atlanta Inc Atlanta, GA | Affliliate Support | $25,000 |
| Colorado Uplift Denver, CO | Affiliate Support | $25,000 |
| Elevate Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN | Affiliate Support | $25,000 |
| Elevate Jacksonville Jacksonvillle, FL | Affiliate Support | $25,000 |
| Elevate Metro KC Overland Park, KS | Affiliate Support | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Elevate USA?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,474,452 | $2,780,741 | $2,482,886 | $498,795 | 16 | $32,006 |
| 2023 | $1,256,988 | $2,132,106 | $2,694,390 | $537,435 | 15 | $5,882 |
| 2022 | $2,635,595 | $2,389,198 | $2,058,873 | $419,455 | 14 | $-6,539 |
| 2021 | $1,130,390 | $1,320,515 | $1,029,520 | — | — | $411 |
| 2020 | $1,245,716 | $850,872 | $743,772 | — | — | $600 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Elevate USA’s stated mission is to build long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth, equipping them to thrive and contribute to their community. Its 2024 filing describes its support for affiliates through training and equipping executives, program staff, and board members, as well as network-wide program measurement and evaluation.
The 2024 grantees’ own mission statements describe work building long-term, relationship-based support for youth. For example, Elevate Tampa Bay describes full-time staff who act as teachers, mentors, and life coaches; Elevate Navajo describes developing long-term relationships with Navajo youth; and Elevate New England describes preparing urban youth to thrive and contribute to their community. These are grantee missions, not statements of Elevate USA’s own programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Elevate USA reported 16 grants totaling $498,795. Grants ranged from $14,393 to $50,000, with a median of $25,000. The filing describes the listed awards as affiliate support.
Notable 2024 grants included $50,000 each to Elevate Louisville, Elevate Navajo, Elevate Tampa Bay, and Elevate West Alabama, and $39,453 to Elevate Bridgeport. Other listed awards included $25,000 each to Elevate Greater Atlanta, Colorado Uplift, Elevate Indianapolis, Elevate Jacksonville, Elevate Metro KC, Elevate New England, and Elevate Orlando.
The 2024 filing also says Elevate USA served as fiscal sponsor for affiliates and held funds at year-end for existing and prospective affiliates. This describes affiliate-related support, not a grant program for outside applicants. No application process or instructions are provided in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kevin Byerley as CEO, John Oliver as COO, Rhonda Richmond as Chief Program Officer, and Richard Speck as CFO. It also lists Dr. Robert Griffith and Jon Jay Seal as co-chairs; Shawn McLaughlin as secretary; Celso White as treasurer; and Debbi Speck and Chaz Mueller as board members.
The organization’s website identifies Kevin Byerley as CEO, Dr. Rhonda Richmond as Chief Program Officer, and Richard Speck as Chief Financial Officer. It also lists national staff including Adam Roybal, Art Williams, Pamela Perea, Emma Turnbull Onstott, Lacey Mabe, Jennifer Smith, Lindsey Speck, Jack McGill, Allison Shopland, Kelli Smith, and Aidan Porier.
Elevate USA is led by Kevin Byerley, CEO on every filing since 2020; 5 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kevin Byerley
CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$85K (2020) → $116K (2024)
Debbi Speck
Board Member
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$24K (2021) → $29K (2024)
John Oliver
COO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$121K (2022) → $132K (2024)
Rhonda Richmond
Chief Program
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2024)
Richard Speck
CFO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$83K (2024)
Chaz Mueller
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darren Dragovich
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Cleary
Board Member
Treasurer → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Jay Seal
Co-Chair
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Cook
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marydel Harris
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Griffith
Co-Chair
Secretary → Co-Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shawn McLaughlin
Secretary
Co-Chair → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zke Zimmerman
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Celso White
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christine Bess
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Ward
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Cousino
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Myron Lizer
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Mark Engstrom (2020–2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $132K, to John Oliver (COO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Elevate USA
How much does Elevate USA give each year?
Elevate USA gave $499K across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $537K across 15 grants.
What is Elevate USA's typical grant size?
Elevate USA's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $31,175, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Elevate USA that year got $25K on average.
Where does Elevate USA give grants?
Elevate USA's top state is Florida, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Georgia (15%) and Kentucky (10%).
Does Elevate USA give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Elevate USA's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Affiliate Support" (13 grants).
Who are Elevate USA's largest grantees?
Elevate USA's largest 2024 grantees include Elevate Louisville ($50,000), Elevate Navajo ($50,000) and Elevate Tampa Bay ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Elevate USA?
Elevate USA reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.8M.
What does Elevate USA fund?
Elevate USA’s stated mission is to build long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth, equipping them to thrive and contribute to their community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Elevate USA?
Elevate USA has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check elevatetheusa.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Elevate USA's EIN?
Elevate USA's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3637392. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 21, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Elevate USA funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Elevate USA's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Elevate USA funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/elevate-usa-morg_636a41c24a4a4a7bb588460325ce3248
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_463637392_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Elevate USA funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/elevate-usa-morg_636a41c24a4a4a7bb588460325ce3248},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Elevate USA's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Elevate USA down — hundreds of funders to go?