The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Founded in 2004, NIET is committed to ensuring a highly skilled, strongly motivated and competitively compensated teacher for every classroom in America. The organization recognizes that an effective teacher is the most important school-based factor impacting student achievement and works to support states, districts and schools in attracting, developing, supporting and retaining high-quality educators.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$53.6M
+24.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.5M
-44.3% YoY
Grant Count
13
-45.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$346K
+2.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
NIET's mission is to ensure educator excellence and student achievement through comprehensive systems and tools that increase educator effectiveness. The organization pursues this mission by designing and implementing effective, cohesive professional learning systems across five primary service areas:
TAP System for Teacher and Student Advancement: NIET's comprehensive approach to establishing sustained structures for building educator excellence and increasing student achievement growth. Introduced in 1999, the TAP System has led to dramatically improved outcomes for students and changed the trajectory of entire schools. Over 95 percent of participating TAP schools are high-need institutions serving diverse areas from Phoenix to rural Tennessee.
School Improvement Solutions: A model rooted in proven principles from the TAP System that aims to create effective structures for teacher leaders.
Educator Evaluation: Strategic planning and assistance in the design, development and implementation of educator effectiveness policies and systems.
Career Pathways and Teacher Leadership: Support for developing career advancement opportunities and teacher leadership structures.
Performance-Based Compensation and Professional Development: Services related to fair evaluation systems and school-based professional development.
NIET's core service areas focus on Instructional Excellence, Collaborative Learning, Continuous Improvement, and Collective Leadership.
Grantmaking
NIET's grant-making focuses on Education, Human Services, and Arts, Culture & Humanities. Based on recent financial data, NIET distributed $4,507,285 in total giving, with typical awards ranging from $5,625 to $3,942,962. The organization has zero live grant opportunities listed.
Ready to take the next step with National Institute for Excellence in?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NIET funds primarily in Texas, Arizona, and South Carolina. The organization works with schools across diverse geographic areas, from urban centers like Phoenix to rural communities in Tennessee and beyond.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $53,630,259
- Total Revenues: $33,588,125
- Total Expenses: $24,916,717
- Total Giving: $4,507,285
- Number of Employees: 115
The organization maintains a strong financial position with a 96% rating reflecting excellent accountability and finance practices.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $53,630,259 | $43,086,249 | $36,544,716 |
| Revenue | $33,588,125 | $32,588,290 | $32,366,225 |
| Expenses | $24,916,717 | $26,506,610 | $29,032,340 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,184,436 | $450,079 | $140,717 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
99 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel mentioned include Gary Stark, who serves as Vice Chairman.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR JOSHUA H BARNETT | CEO | 40 | $420,933 |
| DR GARY STARK | CHAIRMAN (FROM 12/24) | 5 | $30,000 |
| LOWELL MILKEN | CHAIRMAN (UNTIL 12/24) | 15 | — |
| DR JAMES GUTHRIE | DIRECTOR | 5 | $30,000 |
| RAY SIMON | DIRECTOR | 5 | $30,000 |
| DR WAYNE D LEWIS | DIRECTOR | 5 | $30,000 |
| DR CANDICE MCQUEEN | DIRECTOR | 5 | $30,000 |
| DR J TED SANDERS | DIRECTOR (UNTIL 09/24) | 5 | $30,000 |
| DR BRYAN JOHNSON | DIRECTOR (UNTIL 12/24) | 5 | $30,000 |
| KRISTAN VAN HOOK | SENIOR VP POLICY | 40 | $256,319 |
| VICKY CONDALARY | SENIOR VP SERVICES & PARTNERSHIPS | 40 | $222,526 |
| STEPHANIE MOSQUEDA | SENIOR VP STRATEGIC PROJECTS | 40 | $210,432 |
| MOLLY KWAS | CFO | 40 | $190,982 |
| DR TANEE HUDGENS | VP RESEARCH AND EVALUATION | 40 | $155,665 |
| DR PATRICE PUJOL | SENIOR EXECUTIVE-IN-RESIDENCE | 40 | $205,177 |
| DR DAVITA LANCELIN | VP SERVICES | 40 | $150,977 |
| DR AMY WOOTEN | EXEC. DIR. OF HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHP | 40 | $145,140 |
| THERESA HAMILTON | SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR | 40 | $132,796 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
NIET was awarded a $47 million federal grant to strengthen educator effectiveness, with specific focus on teacher and school leader support in Indiana.
NIET Awarded $47 Million Federal Grant to Strengthen Educator ...Five teacher leaders from NIET partner districts were selected for participation in a Stanford University group focused on the future of teaching.
NIET released a study through the National Bureau of Economic Research and published an ASCD bestseller titled "Unleashing Teacher Leadership."
New IES Award Establishes the National Research Center on Advanced EducationThe organization hosted its National Conference featuring "Bubble Sessions" focused on effective instructional meeting structures.
Eastside Elementary School was selected as a finalist for NIET's Founder's Award, which includes a $10,000 cash prize.
Eastside Elementary School Selected as Finalist for National Institute for\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Running River School Inc
SEDONA, AZ
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Revelation Wellness Foundation
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
3
Total Given
$40K
Dennis Evans Charitable Foundation
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Assets
$33K
Grants
4
Total Given
$4K
Along Side Ministries Inc
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$6K
Arizona Western College Foundation
YUMA, AZ
Assets
$8.0M
Grants
1
Total Given
$25K
Sulphur Springs Valley Electric
WILLCOX, AZ
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
105
Total Given
$610K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with National Institute for Excellence in on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities