U-Go Initiative
U-go helps ambitious and promising young women in low-income countries to pursue tertiary education by providing financial scholarships funded by individuals and companies in high-income countries.
U-Go Initiative at a glance
In short: U-Go Initiative gave $959K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $192K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $958,895
- +120.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +66.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $191,779
- +32.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $157,000
- Total assets
- $5,565,295
- +60.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (48% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who U-Go Initiative funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Milaan Foundation ($383K). Together the top 5 received $959K.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 4 grants of 11 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $244K (2022) to $959K (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $959K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Milaan Foundation Hampshire, IL | Scholarships | $383,375 |
| Developments in Literacy Inc Irvine, CA | Scholarships | $267,858 |
| Give Foundation Inc San Ramon, CA | Scholarships | $157,000 |
| Nurturing Minds Inc Newtonville, MA | Scholarships | $119,641 |
| Coral Tree Education Foundation Campbell, CA | Scholarships | $31,021 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,565,295 | $5,549,716 | $3,456,874 | $958,895 | 5 | $200,583 |
| 2023 | $3,466,968 | $3,147,790 | $1,582,954 | $434,517 | 3 | $78,686 |
| 2022 | $1,887,331 | $2,542,513 | $656,501 | $244,143 | 3 | $221 |
About U-Go Initiative
Based on IRS filings
U-Go Initiative is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Solano Beach, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $959K. Net investment income was $201K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
U-Go Initiative is led by John Wood, CEO on every filing since 2022; 2 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Wood
CEO
On filings since 2022
30 hrs/week
$55K (2024)
Tom Monroe
Chief Programs Officer
Head of Programs → Chief Programs Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
$43K (2024)
Mariana Zobel De Ayala
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Nash
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Horgan
Board Member & Chief Compliance Officer
Board Member → Board Member & Chief Compliance Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Caflisch
CFO & Treasurer
Treasurer → CFO & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Powell
Chief Marketing Officer
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Happ
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Burke
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martina Lauchengco
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Anne Sutanto (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Archana Parekh (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ben Happ (2022–2023) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "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 $55K, to John Wood (CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about U-Go Initiative
How much does U-Go Initiative give each year?
U-Go Initiative gave $959K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $435K across 3 grants.
What is U-Go Initiative's typical grant size?
U-Go Initiative's median grant in 2024 was $157,000, and its average grant was $191,779, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does U-Go Initiative give grants?
U-Go Initiative's top state is California, with 48% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Illinois (40%) and Massachusetts (12%).
Does U-Go Initiative give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on U-Go Initiative's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (5 grants).
Who are U-Go Initiative's largest grantees?
U-Go Initiative's largest 2024 grantees include Milaan Foundation ($383,375), Developments in Literacy Inc ($267,858) and Give Foundation Inc ($157,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is U-Go Initiative?
U-Go Initiative reported $5.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.5M.
What is U-Go Initiative?
U-Go Initiative is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Solano Beach, CA. It holds $5.6M in total assets as of 2024.
What is U-Go Initiative's EIN?
U-Go Initiative's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-2788480. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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 November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 23, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Live grants for the work U-Go Initiative funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in U-Go Initiative's focus areas in our free grants database
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