Instructional Telecommunications Foundation Inc (ITF, Inc.), operating as Mission Telecom, is a nonprofit telecommunications organization headquartered in Englewood, Colorado. Founded in 1983 and granted tax-exempt status in January 2001, the organization operates as a 501(c)(4) civic league and social welfare organization. ITF transforms connectivity by providing affordable broadband services to under-resourced communities, including nonprofits, schools, and libraries, while reinvesting surplus revenue into driving social change.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$38.0M
+4.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+0.0% YoY
Grant Count
41
-14.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$59K
+17.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: ITF is a nonprofit telecommunications organization transforming connectivity by providing affordable broadband to under-resourced communities, including nonprofits, schools, and libraries. The organization reinvests its surplus into driving social change, with products and services designed to empower organizations to thrive in an interconnected world.
Core Values:
- People-Centered: Prioritizing individuals' unique needs, aspirations, and concerns to empower and connect every person effectively
- Bold: Embracing challenges and pushing boundaries to lead in telecommunications with transformative solutions
- Data & Insights-Driven: Using data-driven approaches to inform strategies and decision-making for efficient resource utilization
- Respectful: Honoring the dignity and value of everyone through kindness, compassion, and professionalism
Program Areas:
- Grantmaking Program: Three areas of focus including 501(c)(4) multiracial democracy and power building, telecom justice, and movement infrastructure (technology, data, and capacity)
- Broadband Access Initiative: Developing programs to provide affordable, high-quality wireless broadband services to nonprofit and social good organizations
- Education Opportunity Project (EOP): Participation in initiatives aimed at measurably reducing educational opportunity gaps by providing capital and strategic advice to entrepreneurs and organizations working to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged populations
- VOQAL Fellowship: An investment in people as individuals and budding entrepreneurs; a talent and startup accelerator aimed at giving those often overlooked by traditional funders a chance to enact their visions
Grantmaking
ITF maintains an active grantmaking program with demonstrated grant activity:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization is based in Englewood, Colorado, with additional office locations in Boulder, Colorado. While specific geographic restrictions on grantmaking are not detailed in available sources, the organization's focus on under-resourced communities suggests a national scope.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024-2025):
- Total Revenue: $14,205,456 (2025)
- Total Expenses: $7,947,665 (2025)
- Total Assets: $38,048,145 (2025)
- Total Liabilities: $680,000 (2024)
Historical Financial Data:
- Revenue (2024): $6.2M
- Expenses (2024): $5.17M
- Total Assets (2024): $36.6M
Staffing:
- 17 employees (2025)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $38,048,145 | $36,556,987 | $32,105,835 |
| Revenue | $14,205,456 | $6,200,292 | $8,207,196 |
| Expenses | $7,947,665 | $5,166,202 | $6,451,581 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $6,419,691 | $391,110 | $275,613 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
234 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Instructional Telecommunications
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Executive Leadership:
- John Schwartz: Director & President
- Adam Miller: CEO/Secretary
- Frances Valdez: Director & Treasurer
- Barbara Hunter: CFO
- James Traynor: Director & Vice President
- Ashindi Maxton: Director
- Kim Bubon: Assistant Secretary
- Rhea Yaw-Ching: Principal Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEA YAW-CHING | Executive Dir. | 45 | $218,008 |
| STEPHEN KOWAL | CTO | 45 | $177,360 |
| BARBARA HUNTER | CFO & CAO | 45 | $180,030 |
| HILDA RIVERA | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATI | 45 | $158,480 |
| ASHINDI MAXTON | DIRECTOR OF GRANTMAKING | 45 | $174,889 |
| MARK COLWELL | DIRECTOR OF BROADBAND OPERATIONS | 45 | $152,924 |
| MARK LESLIE | IT MANAGER | 45 | $100,652 |
| JAMES TRAYNOR | Director & VP | 3 | $10,000 |
| JAMAA BICKLEY-KING | Director | 3 | $10,000 |
| NSE UFOT | Director | 3 | $10,000 |
| JOHN SCHWARTZ | Director & Pres | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
ITF has received recognition for its work in broadband access and digital capacity building. The organization has been involved in federally-supported initiatives, including participation in programs supported by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration focused on building and enhancing digital capacity in underserved communities.
Massachusetts awards $7.6M to support digital education and training - TelecompetitorThe organization continues to expand its broadband access initiatives and maintains active grantmaking programs supporting organizations working in multiracial democracy, telecom justice, and movement infrastructure.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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