We seek to support state and federal policymakers through research, policy analysis, and advocacy about building a better, more affordable, and higher quality higher education system.
Key facts about The Institute for College Access & Success
In short: The Institute for College Access & Success gave $140K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $28K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 20-1368860
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $139,900
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- Average grant
- $27,980
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $6,559,890
- Primary geography
- New York (59% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$6.6M
+3.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$140K
+85.6% YoY
Grant Count
5
+150.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
-25.7% YoY
How The Institute for College Access & Success gives
- Giving fell 47% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About The Institute for College Access & Success
Based on IRS filings
The Institute for College Access & Success is a public charity focused on Education, based in Oakland, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $140K. Net investment income was $160K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $75K (2023) to $265K (2021). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $140K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was MDRC ($83K). Together the top 5 received $140K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 16 (69%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MDRC New York, NY | Rural implementation support | $82,900 |
| BLU Educational Foundation San Bernandino, CA | Uplifting Cal Grant Reform | $15,000 |
| Dolores Huerta Foundation Bakersfield, CA | Uplifting Cal Grant Reform | $15,000 |
| Go Public Schools Sacramento, CA | Uplifting Cal Grant Reform | $15,000 |
| Parent Institute Quality Educ National City, CA | Uplifting Cal Grant Reform | $12,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,559,890 | $6,350,544 | $6,754,975 |
| Revenue | $6,050,138 | $5,167,138 | $4,632,509 |
| Expenses | $5,583,508 | $5,268,438 | $3,661,599 |
| Net Investment Income | $159,830 | $138,996 | $11,901 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Institute for College Access & Success is led by Sameer Gadkaree, President on every filing since 2021; 7 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sameer Gadkaree
President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$67K (2021) → $237K (2024)
Zakiya Smith Ellis
Chairman
Director → Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michele Zampini
Senior Director College Aff
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$129K (2024)
Frank Chong
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Deich
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zaldwaynaka Z Scott
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Greenstein
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracie D Hall
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pronita Gupta
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Thompson
Senior Vice President
Associate Vce President → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Senior Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$124K (2020) → $182K (2024)
Cynthia Schaal
CFO & COO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$125K (2022) → $200K (2024)
Kyle Southern
Associate Vice President Heq
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$134K (2022) → $144K (2024)
Onjila Odeneal
Senior Dr Pol & Adv Mi
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$130K (2023) → $134K (2024)
Tanya Garcia
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$170K (2024)
Rosa Armendariz
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Eddinger
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Angela Hanks (2023) — Director
- Former: Carrie Welton (2023) — Senior Director Pol & Advisor
- Former: Chris Lechuga (2023) — Associate Vice President of Ext Af
- Former: Kate Tromble (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Patricia Balana (2020–2022) — CFO & COO
- Former: Marshall Anthony (2022) — Research Director
- Former: Michele Shepard (2022) — Senior Director College Aff
- Former: Heidi Ramirez (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jacob Schak (2020–2021) — Research Director
- Former: James Kvaal (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Lindsay Ahlman (2020–2021) — Associate Director Development & Ops
- Former: Richard Kazis (2020–2021) — Chair & Sradvisor
- Former: Catherine Brown (2021) — Senior Director
- Former: Shannon Serrato (2021) — Communications Director
- Former: Debbie Cochrane (2020) — Executive Vice President
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 $237K, to Sameer Gadkaree (President). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Institute for College Access & Success
How much does The Institute for College Access & Success give each year?
The Institute for College Access & Success gave $140K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $75K across 2 grants.
What is The Institute for College Access & Success's typical grant size?
The Institute for College Access & Success's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $27,980, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Institute for College Access & Success give grants?
The Institute for College Access & Success gives mostly in New York: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (41%).
Does The Institute for College Access & Success give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Institute for College Access & Success's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Uplifting Cal Grant Reform" (4 grants).
Who are The Institute for College Access & Success's largest grantees?
The Institute for College Access & Success's largest 2024 grantees include MDRC ($82,900), BLU Educational Foundation ($15,000) and Dolores Huerta Foundation ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Institute for College Access & Success?
The Institute for College Access & Success reported $6.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.1M.
What is The Institute for College Access & Success?
The Institute for College Access & Success is a public charity focused on Education, based in Oakland, CA. It holds $6.6M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Institute for College Access & Success's EIN?
The Institute for College Access & Success's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1368860. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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