2025-02-04T10:35:45-06:00 2024-03-31 390758449 WIPFLI LLP 2725 ROCKY MOUNTAIN AVE STE 400 LOVELAND CO 80538 990 2023-04-01 363833118 CHICAGO INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION INC CHIC 3035322852 205 KEN PRATT BLVD STE 120 PMB 1039 LONGMONT CO 80501 LISA REED CFO 3035322852 2025-02-03 1 1 HOLLY SCHMIDT P01867045 3037590089 2025-02-03 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z VOQAL CHICAGO BRENDA SEARS 205 KEN PRATT BLVD STE 120 PMB 1039 LONGMONT CO 80501 11728054 0 X WWW.CITF.ORG X 1983 IL SEE SCHEDULE O 4 4 0 4 -38771 0 485028 0 8255547 4017503 191131 466739 2466474 2505948 11398180 6990190 1807897 1616410 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9292758 5317401 11100655 6933811 297525 56379 16910873 18372367 454099 495311 16456774 17877056 X SEE SCHEDULE O 0 0 302693 VOQAL CHICAGO PARTICIPATES IN THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY PROJECT (EOP). THE EOP AIMS TO MEASURABLY REDUCE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GAPS BY PROVIDING CAPITAL AND STRATEGIC ADVICE TO ENTREPRENEURS AND ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR DISADVANTAGED POPULATIONS. VOQAL NONPROFITS COLLECTIVELY SPENT $427,669, IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 PROGRAM WITH VOQAL CHICAGO CONTRIBUTING $302,605 TO THE PROGRAM. 2261540 1616410 VOQAL CHICAGO IS PROUD TO BE PART OF THE VOQAL FELLOWSHIP. THE VOQAL FELLOWSHIP IS 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. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, EIGHT INDIVIDUALS WERE SELECTED AS FELLOWS AFTER A RIGOROUS SEARCH PROCESS. THEIR PROJECTS FOCUSED ON ISSUES RANGING FROM CIVIC MEDIA TO ONLINE TOOLS. VOQAL NONPROFITS COLLECTIVELY SPENT $384,103 IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 PROGRAM WITH VOQAL CHICAGO CONTRIBUTING $272,897 TO THE PROGRAM.VOQAL CHICAGO MAINTAINS A SEPARATE GRANTMAKING PROGRAM. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, VOQAL CHICAGO MADE GRANTS TOTALING $1,539,750 TO 30 GRANTEES. EXPENSES TOTAL $271,778. 3212759 4017503 ON BEHALF OF VOQAL CHICAGO, MOBILE CITIZEN PLACES LTE WIRELESS BROADBAND ACCOUNTS WITH SCHOOLS AND NONPROFITS BOTH LOCALLY IN COLORADO AND NATIONWIDE. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF LTE WIRELESS BROADBAND ACCOUNTS IS BASED ON VOQAL CHICAGO'S OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE OF ALL ACTIVE ACCOUNTS AT FISCAL YEAR-END. THE ESTIMATED MARKET VALUE, BASED ON $50/MONTH, OF ACTIVE ACCOUNTS IS MORE THAN $5.4 MILLION. VOQAL CHICAGO PROVIDES SCHOOLS IN THE CHICAGO METRO AREA WITH FREE AND SUBSIDIZED HIGH-SPEED WIRELESS BROADBAND INTERNET ACCOUNTS. THE SCHOOLS ARE BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, SERVICING GRADES K-12. WE ESTIMATE THAT THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THESE FREE AND SUBSIDIZED ACCOUNTS IS OVER $26,400 ANNUALLY. 5776992 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 12 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 4 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 IL X YAHEL MUNOZ 3035322853 825 DELWARE AVE SUITE 400 LONGMONT CO 80501 X DANIEL O'NEIL CHAIR 4.00 X X 0 0 0 LILLY GLEICH TREASURER/DIRECTOR 4.00 X X 0 0 0 BARBARA IVERSON SECRETARY/DIRECTOR 4.00 X X 0 0 0 MARIA HADDEN DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 BRENDA WILLIAMS-SEARS CEO/PRESIDENT 5.00 47.00 X 0 0 0 ADAM MILLER ADVISOR TO CEO/ASST SECRET 5.00 47.00 X 0 0 0 LISA REED CFO 5.00 46.00 X 0 0 0 KIM BUBON ASSISTANT SECRETARY 5.00 40.00 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EBS SUPPORT SERVICES LLC 205 KEN PRATT BLVD SUITE 120 PMB 10 LONGMONT CO 80501 MGMT SUPPORT 1795581 DAETC 1601 29TH ST STE 1292 BOULDER CO 80301 SUPPORT 128557 2 MOBILE CITIZEN 517000 4017503 4017503 4017503 292268 292268 2544719 2544719 4912335 4737864 174471 174471 174471 K-1 ROSE AFFORDABLE HOUSING 900099 220 220 K-1 GIAP II FUND 900099 -16913 -16913 K-1 EBS SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC 561000 -22078 -22078 -38771 6990190 4017503 -38771 3011458 1616410 1616410 1048070 491200 556870 87414 19470 67944 23650 5268 18382 75644 75644 62429 13905 48524 10877 10877 245804 11054 234750 22823 22823 259720 169969 89751 28573 28573 MOBILE CITIZEN EXPENSES 3212759 3212759 FELLOWSHIP/SHARED COSTS 226080 226080 ROYALTY EXPENSE 9100 9100 LICENSES AND FEES 4458 4458 6933811 5776992 1156819 0 512438 640852 619326 329878 15702 22148 89095 100100 12162390 13366857 3488776 3881852 23146 30680 16910873 18372367 138949 201854 110250 88147 204900 205310 454099 495311 X 16456774 17877056 16456774 17877056 16910873 18372367 X 56379 1422984 -59081 X 0 1 X 0 0 254000 254000 254000 1 SCHEDULE C: PART I THE ORGANIZATION MAKES GRANTS TO 501(C)(3) AND 501(C)(4) ORGANIZATIONS. SEVERAL OF THE 501(C)(4) ORGANIZATIONS CONDUCT 527 EXEMPT FUNCTION ACTIVITIES. 0 INDEPENDENT SPECTRUM 485513 C EBS SUPPORT SERVICES 97887 C MOBILE CITIZEN 2216096 C PREFERRED STOCK 90687 C ROSE AFFORDABLE HOUSING 273703 C GIAP II FUND 412966 C THIMBLE - PN 75000 C PEEKAPAK, INC. - PN 100000 C EDUCATION MODIFIED LLC - SAFE 130000 C 3881852 X 5124771 1422984 729100 2152084 2972687 4017503 4017503 6990190 3704490 59082 59082 3645408 3288403 3288403 6933811 PART X, LINE 2: IN ACCORDANCE WITH GAAP, ALL ORGANIZATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ANY MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT MANAGEMENT BELIEVES DOES NOT MEET A "MORE-LIKELY-THAN-NOT" STANDARD OF BEING SUSTAINED UNDER AN INCOME TAX AUDIT, AND TO RECORD A LIABILITY FOR ANY SUCH TAXES INCLUDING PENALTY AND INTEREST. MANAGEMENT OF THE FOUNDATION HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE THE RECORDING OF A LIABILITY MENTIONED ABOVE OR FURTHER DISCLOSURE. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: K-1 FROM MOBILE CITIZEN 804,744. INVESTMENT FEES AND EXPENSES -75,644. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: MOBILE CITIZEN REVENUE 4,017,503. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FORM 1120-POL TAX 59,082. PART XII, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: MOBILE CITIZEN EXPENSES 3,212,759. INVESTMENT FEES AND EXPENSES 75,644. 1 ACTION NOW 1901 W CARROLL SUITE 201A CHICAGO IL 60612 261396958 501(C)4 86660 0 CORE SUPPORT ASIAN AMERICAN MIDWEST PROGRESSIVES 4753 N BROADWAY SUITE 502 CHICAGO IL 60640 832889807 501(C)4 30000 0 CORE SUPPORT BALLOT INITIATIVE STRATEGY CENTER (BISC) 1660 L ST NE STE605 WASHINGTON DC 20036 043411708 501(C)4 50000 0 CORE SUPPORT BLACK IN APPALACHIA RESEARCH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PO BOX 37 WHITESBURG TN 37891 851323988 501(C)3 25000 0 CORE SUPPORT BLACKROOTS ALLIANCE 5055 S PRAIRIE AVE CHICAGO IL 60615 823487898 501(C)3 60500 0 CORE SUPPORT CENTER FOR MEDIA JUSTICE 436 14TH STREET SUITE 500 OAKLAND CA 94612 300520981 501(C)3 63250 0 NET NEUTRALITY CENTER FOR NULEADERSHIP ON URBAN SOLUTIONS 7 MARCUS GARVEY BOULEVARD BROOKLYN NY 11206 454968344 501(C)3 60500 0 CORE SUPPORT CENTER FOR RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY 2243-2245 EAST 71ST STREET CHICAGO IL 60649 454461853 501(C)4 20000 0 CORE SUPPORT CHICAGO FILMMAKERS 5720 NORTH RIDGE AVENUE CHICAGO IL 60660 362885210 501(C)4 50000 0 CORE SUPPORT CHICAGO FREEDOM SCHOOL 719 S STATE ST 4TH FLOOR CHICAGO IL 60605 204735643 501(C)3 60500 0 CORE SUPPORT CHICAGO VOTES EDUCATION FUND 234 S WABASH 6TH FLOOR CHICAGO IL 60604 460545127 501(C)3 60500 0 CORE SUPPORT CITY BUREAU 3618 S STATE STREET 400 CHICAGO IL 60609 811054499 501(C)4 25000 0 CORE SUPPORT EQUITY & TRANSFORMATION 1930 WESLEY AVE BERWYN IL 604021853 834701430 501(C)3 60500 0 CORE SUPPORT FREE PRESSMEDIA 2070 PO BOX 60238 FLORENCE MA 01062 412106721 501(C)3 50000 0 CORE SUPPORT GLOBAL ENTERPRENEURSHIP WEEK MN 1007 W BROADWAY AVE STE 100 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55411 881828304 501(C)3 25000 0 CORE SUPPORT GRASSROOTS ILLINOIS ACTION 637 S DEARBORN ST 3RD FLOOR CHICAGO IL 60605 271641931 501(C)4 30000 0 CORE SUPPORT ILLINOIS IMMIGRANT ACTION 228 S WABASH AVE SUITE 800 CHICAGO IL 60604 263187498 501(C)4 25000 0 CORE SUPPORT JANE ADDAMS SENIORS IN ACTION 1111 N WELLS STE 302 CHICAGO IL 60610 363476552 501(C)3 46000 0 CORE SUPPORT KENWOOD-OAKLAND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION 4242 S COTTAGE GROVE CHICAGO IL 60653 362598637 501(C)3 50000 0 CORE SUPPORT KUUMBA LYNX 4501 N CLARENDON CHICAGO IL 60640 364246321 501(C)3 50000 0 CORE SUPPORT PRESENTE ACTION FUND 1330 BROADWAY AVENUE STE 300 OAKLAND CA 94612 270587622 501(C)4 30250 0 CORE SUPPORT SOUTHSIDERS ORGANIZED FOR UNITY AND LIBERATION 11211 S ST LAWERENCE CHICAGO IL 60628 364174590 501(C)4 60500 0 CORE SUPPORT SPLINTER ART AND COMMUNITY FUND 901 N 13TH AVE TUCSON AZ 85705 861918619 501(C)3 60500 0 CORE SUPPORT THE PEOPLE'S LOBBY 810 N MILWAUKEE AVE CHICAGO IL 60642 461465650 501(C)4 15000 0 CORE SUPPORT UNITED WORKING FAMILIES 2229 S HALSTED CHICAGO IL 60608 471539202 501(C)4 45000 0 CORE SUPPORT URBAN GATEWAYS 1637 NORTH ASHLAND AVE STE 1 CHICAGO IL 60622 366083080 501(C)3 50000 0 CORE SUPPORT CHAINLESS CHANGE 4300 N UNIVERSITY DR STE F100 SUNRISE FL 33351 833657191 501(C)3 25000 0 CORE SUPPORT OPEN COLLECTIVE 340 S LEMON AVE 2717 WALNUT CA 91789 814004928 501(C)3 17750 0 CORE SUPPORT 19 11 PART I, LINE 2: IN THE CASE OF APPLICANTS WITH WHOM THE ORGANIZATION HAS A FORMAL GRANT AGREEMENT, THE AGREEMENT OUTLINES WHEN THE PAYMENTS ARE TO BE MADE AND USUALLY REQUIRES THE GRANTEE TO SAY HOW THEY USED THE FUNDS IN A NARRATIVE OF THE WORK. THE REPORTS ARE THEN REVIEWED BY ONE OR MORE STAFF MEMBERS, AND IF THERE IS ANY DISCREPANCY IT IS CORRECTED BEFORE PAYMENT IS SENT. FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: THE CORPORATION IS ORGANIZED AND WILL BE OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR "CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL AND "SOCIAL WELFARE" PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTIONS 501(C)(3) AND 501(C)(4), RESPECTIVELY OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. TO THIS END, THE NONPROFIT SHALL UNDERTAKE ACTIVITIES TO: SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF QUALITY AND DIVERSE INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA CONTENT AND CAPABILITIES TO EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DATA SERVICES AND INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO PROVIDED TO ACCREDITED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED IN THE FORMAL EDUCATION OF ENROLLED STUDENTS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 THRU BRENDA WILLIAMS-SEARS' ROLE IN EBS SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC, SHE IS EFFECTIVELY THE EMPLOYER FOR VOQAL CHICAGO'S CEO AND CFO. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 3 MANAGEMENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY: EBS SUPPORT SERVICES LLC 205 KEN PRATT BLVD, SUITE 120 PMB 1039 LONGMONT, CO 80501 SALARIES PAID BY EBS SUPPORT SERVICES LLC FOR THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDED TO VOQAL CHICAGO. IN 2009 THE VOQAL NONPROFITS FORMED EBS SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC. VOQAL CHICAGO OWNS 18.25% OF EBS SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC AND PAYS EBSSS, LLC FOR THE COST OF PERSONNEL PROVIDING SERVICES TO VOQAL CHICAGO , AS WELL AS SHARED OFFICE SPACE AND EQUIPMENT. EBSSS, LLC, AS WELL AS THE OTHER LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES LISTED BELOW, ARE ALL OWNED EXCLUSIVELY BY THE VOQAL NONPROFITS; THERE ARE NO OTHER OWNERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S ACCOUNTANTS, CFO, AND AT LEAST ONE CORPORATE OFFICER. ADDITIONALLY THE FORM IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD MEMBERS AFTER IT IS FILED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C EACH RESPONSIBLE PERSON WHO IS A DIRECTOR OR OFFICER HAS A DUTY TO DISCLOSE TO THE BOARD (OR TO ANY COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD THAT IS CONSIDERING A DECISION TO WHICH THE CONFLICT APPLIED) THE MATERIAL FACTS OF ANY PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR ACTION OF THE ORGANIZATION IN WHICH SUCH RESPONSIBLE PERSON HAS ANY CONFLICTS. EACH RESPONSIBLE PERSON WHO IS A STAFF MEMBER HAS A DUTY TO DISCLOSE TO THE MANAGER OF EBSSS, LLC AND SUPERVISOR THE MATERIAL FACTS OF ANY PROPOSED TRANSACTION OF THE ORGANIZATION IN WHICH SUCH PERSON HAS ANY CONFLICT. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST RELIES ON SUCH DISCLOSURE. A RESPONSIBLE PERSON WHO FAILS TO FOLLOW THE PROTOCOLS ESTABLISHED IN THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO MEANINGFUL DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UP TO AND INCLUDING REMOVAL FROM THE BOARD OR THEIR POSITION WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 ALL SERVICES PERFORMED ARE FROM SHARED EMPLOYEES OF A SHARED SERVICES COMPANY. THIS COMPANY HAS AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MADE UP OF BOARD MEMBERS OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT IT SERVES. THIS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN CHARGED BY THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BOARDS TO OVERSEE PERSONNEL MATTERS INCLUDING EXECUTIVE AND STAFF COMPENSATION. STAFF PREPARED AN ANNUAL SALARY BENCHMARKING REPORT FOR ALL STAFF POSITIONS AND AN ANNUAL CEO SALARY REVIEW WHICH COMPARES EACH POSITION TO MARKET WAGE COMPENSATION. STAFF USED 2 REPORTS, ONE REPRESENTING INDUSTRY AND ONE REPRESENTING FOUNDATION COMPENSATION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. IN ADDITION, THE SALARY BENCHMARK ANALYSIS PROCESS IS PERIODICALLY REVIEWED BY AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY CONTRACTOR TO ENSURE THE USE OF PROPER METHODOLOGY AND ETHICAL STANDARDS. THIS REPORT, THE THIRD PARTY CONTRACTOR REPORT, AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION WAS REVIEWED IN DEPTH BY THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WHICH SUMMARIZED ITS REVIEW TO ALL OF THE BOARDS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS 990 AVAILABLE BUT DOES NOT MAKE ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: FORM 1120-POL TAXES -59,081. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BACKGROUND THESE ADDITIONAL, VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURES ARE INTENDED TO GIVE THE INTERESTED READER GREATER INSIGHT INTO CHICAGO INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION D/B/A VOQAL CHICAGO. IN THE EARLY 1980'S VOQAL CHICAGO APPLIED FOR WHAT WERE THEN REFERRED TO AS INSTRUCTIONAL TELEVISION FIXED SERVICE (ITFS) LICENSES FROM THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION. IN THE YEARS THAT FOLLOWED, VOQAL CHICAGO PARTNERED WITH SEVERAL OTHER NONPROFITS (THE VOQAL NONPROFITS) THAT ALSO HELD ITFS LICENSES TO SHARE SOME OF ITS OVERHEAD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. THIS APPROACH RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS, ALLOWING VOQAL CHICAGO TO DELIVER BETTER EDUCATIONAL SERVICE. THE SHARING OF PERSONNEL AND OTHER RESOURCES AMONG THE VOQAL NONPROFITS WAS THE BEGINNING OF WHAT WOULD LATER BECOME EBS SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC (EBSSS) D/B/A VOQAL THE UMBRELLA SERVICE ORGANIZATION THAT TODAY PROVIDES PERSONNEL AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT TO ITS NONPROFIT OWNERS. TO EXPAND THEIR ABILITY TO FULFILL ITS EDUCATIONAL MISSION AND OTHERWISE BENEFIT THE PUBLIC, THE VOQAL NONPROFITS ENTERED INTO VARIOUS SPECTRUM USE AGREEMENTS WITH COMMERCIAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPERATORS. VOQAL ALLOWED COMMERCIAL FIRMS TO USE THEIR ITFS, AND, LATER, EDUCATIONAL BROADBAND SERVICE (EBS) EXCESS SPECTRUM CAPACITY IN THEIR WIRELESS NETWORKS. IN EXCHANGE, THESE AGREEMENTS PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL BENEFITS THROUGH SPECTRUM ROYALTY PAYMENTS, AS WELL AS MATERIAL IN-KIND EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS SUCH AS HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND INTERNET ACCOUNTS. THE VOQAL NONPROFITS' CURRENT SPECTRUM AGREEMENTS ARE WITH CLEARWIRE SPECTRUM HOLDINGS II, LLC, A T-MOBILE SUBSIDIARY (HEREAFTER REFERRED TO AS T-MOBILE). WITH THE INCREASED RESOURCES AFFORDED BY THESE MOST RECENT SPECTRUM AGREEMENTS, THE VOQAL NONPROFITS, INCLUDING VOQAL CHICAGO, EXPANDED THE NUMBER AND REACH OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE NEW EDUCATION VENTURES, AFFORDABLE INTERNET SERVICE FOR SCHOOLS AND NONPROFITS, CASH GRANTS, EBS SPECTRUM ADVOCACY AND MORE. AS IT EXPANDED, VOQAL CHICAGO CONTINUED TO SHARE RESOURCES WITH THE OTHER VOQAL NONPROFITS. FOR THIS REASON, IN 2009 VOQAL NONPROFITS FORMED EBS SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC. VOQAL CHICAGO PARTIALLY OWNS EBS SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC AND REIMBURSES IT FOR THE COST OF PERSONNEL, AS WELL AS SHARED OFFICE EXPENSES AND EQUIPMENT. VOQAL HAS STRIVED TO FULFILL THE MISSION OF EBS, FROM ITS BEGINNINGS PROVIDING FREE, ITFS VIDEO TO SCHOOLS TO RECENT EFFORTS TO SUPPORT CHANGE-MAKERS IN EDUCATION. WHILE SOME VOQAL CHICAGO PROGRAMS SERVE WHAT MANY WOULD CONSIDER TRADITIONAL EDUCATIONAL ENTITIES LIKE K-12 SCHOOLS, VOQAL EMBRACES A BROADER VIEW OF EDUCATION AND AIMS TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE TO FOSTER A STRONGER, HEALTHIER DEMOCRACY. OUR PROJECTS ARE OFTEN AIMED AT THE ROOT CAUSES THAT BAR ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE BOTH IN AND OUT OF TRADITIONAL BRICK AND MORTAR INSTITUTIONS. EXAMPLES OF MORE TRADITIONAL EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS INCLUDE PROVIDING SCHOOLS WITH FREE AND HIGHLY SUBSIDIZED INTERNET ACCOUNTS AND MOBILE CITIZEN'S EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET BOTH AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME. VOQAL CHICAGO ALSO PARTICIPATES IN THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY PROJECT (EOP). THE EOP AIMS TO MEASURABLY REDUCE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GAPS BY PROVIDING CAPITAL AND STRATEGIC ADVICE TO ENTREPRENEURS AND ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR DISADVANTAGED POPULATIONS. VOQAL CHICAGO HELPS COVER THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE EOP. VOQAL CHICAGO IS PROUD TO BE PART OF THE VOQAL FELLOWSHIP. THE VOQAL FELLOWSHIP IS 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 AT CENTER STAGE. VOQAL CHICAGO MAINTAINS A SEPARATE GRANTMAKING PROGRAM. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, VOQAL CHICAGO MADE GRANTS TOTALING $1,539,750 TO 30 GRANTEES, INCLUDING ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) AND 501(C)(4) OF THE REVENUE CODE. THESE GRANTEES INCLUDE ORGANIZATIONS FOCUSED ON SUCH ACTIVITIES AS VOTING MODERNIZATION AND ACCESS, DIGITAL AND YOUTH ORGANIZING, PROGRESSIVE MEDIA EXPANSION AND MEDIA PRODUCTION. IN ADDITION TO THE PROJECTS LISTED ABOVE, VOQAL CHICAGO IS PART OWNER OF THE LLCS DETAILED BELOW. MOBILE CITIZEN, LLC (OWNED IN PART BY VOQAL CHICAGO) IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE VOQAL NONPROFITS' CURRENT SPECTRUM AGREEMENTS AND THE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCOUNTS RECEIVED AS PART OF THOSE AGREEMENTS. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF PROVIDING INTERNET SERVICE INDIVIDUALLY, THE VOQAL NONPROFITS FORMED MOBILE CITIZEN, LLC TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SOME OR ALL OF ITS MEMBERS' BROADBAND ACCOUNTS. MOBILE CITIZEN, LLC SERVES SCHOOLS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES AND HAS FOCUSED MUCH OF ITS EFFORT ON BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE. MOBILE CITIZEN OFFERS ONE OF THE LOWEST COST MOBILE BROADBAND RATE PLANS AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES NATIONWIDE, WITH NO DATA CAPS AND NO THROTTLING. MOBILE CITIZEN WIRELESS BROADBAND SERVICE COSTS APPROXIMATELY ONE-NINTH THE AMOUNT OF ITS COMMERCIAL EQUIVALENTS AND IS PROVIDED FREE IN SOME CASES. IN THE CHICAGO METRO AREA, MOBILE CITIZEN SERVES SCHOOLS AND NONPROFITS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES AS DIVERSE AS WORKFORCE PREPAREDNESS AND FREE COMPUTER TRAINING AND ACCESS PROGRAMS. THE MONEY THESE ORGANIZATIONS SAVE ON THE INTERNET WITH MOBILE CITIZEN ALLOWS THEM TO PUT THOSE DOLLARS TO USE FULFILLING THEIR ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. ANOTHER BENEFIT OF THE CURRENT SPECTRUM AGREEMENT WITH T-MOBILE IS THE ABILITY, THROUGH CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT, TO ADD ADDITIONAL SPECTRUM AND THUS HELP MAXIMIZE THE EDUCATIONAL POTENTIAL OF OTHER LICENSES. INDEPENDENT SPECTRUM, LLC (OWNED IN PART BY VOQAL CHICAGO) WAS FORMED TO DO JUST THAT. INDEPENDENT SPECTRUM ACCOMPLISHES THIS TASK IN ONE OF TWO WAYS: 1) THE DIRECT PURCHASE AND TRANSFER OF AN EBS LICENSE TO AN INDEPENDENT SPECTRUM SUBSIDIARY AND SUBSEQUENT SPECTRUM USE AGREEMENT WITH SPRINT; OR 2) A SPECTRUM USE AGREEMENT WITH THE EBS LICENSEE AND SUBLICENSE OF SPECTRUM RIGHTS TO SPRINT. INDEPENDENT SPECTRUM LLC PO BOX 6060 BOULDER CO 80306 412183115 EDUCATION CO ROYALTIES 0 83038 485513 0 0 0.09100 MOBILE CITIZEN LLC PO BOX 6060 BOULDER CO 80306 461777398 EDUCATION CO ORDINARY INCOME 1 804744 2216096 0 0 0.69800