2026-07-02T10:43:11-07:00 2025-12-31 471293169 Axume & Associates CPAS AAC 5001 California Ave Ste 124 Bakersfield CA 93309 990 2025-01-01 472931858 THRIVE IN JOY NICK FAGNANO FOUNDATION THRI 2132204686 612 S BROADWAY 525 LOS ANGELES CA 90014 MARY FAGNANO Executive Dir. 2026-05-15 true Oscar I Axume P00503596 6613281815 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z 453303 false X WWW.THRIVEINJOY.ORG X CA The mission of the Thrive in Joy Nick Fagnano Foundation is to encourage young people to discover their character strengths and the joy of service through programs inspired by the life of Nick Fagnano. The core program: the Thrive in Joy Collective: Character, Community, College, Career; is an innovative, inclusive, peer-led after-school program for high school students from low-income communities in Los Angeles. First gen college students provide mentorship within programming that recognizes critical gaps in teen social connection by enhancing the structure, function, and quality of interaction among participants. Students network with business and community leaders and collaborate to create change on their campus and in their community. The Collective transforms elements of social isolation into social innovation. Thrive in Joys programming has also been delivered by volunteers who travel internationally to serve vulnerable populations. A legacy program, from which Thrive in Joy orig 11 10 5 217 0 385990 313358 123424 2532 16451 70 388522 453303 70050 0 115473 98685 0 30670 249079 193628 364552 362363 23970 90940 202067 233194 15456 15164 186611 218030 The mission of the Thrive in Joy Nick Fagnano Foundation is to encourage young people to discover their character strengths and the joy of service through programs inspired by the life of Nick Fagnano. The core program: the Thrive in Joy Collective: Character, Community, College, Career; is an innovative, inclusive, peer-led after-school program for high school students from low-income communities in Los Angeles. First gen college students provide mentorship within programming that recognizes critical gaps in teen social connection by enhancing the structure, function, and quality of interaction among participants. Students network with business and community leaders and collaborate to create change on their campus and in their community. The Collective transforms elements of social isolation into social innovation. Thrive in Joys programming has also been delivered by volunteers who travel internationally to serve vulnerable populations. A legacy program, from which Thrive in Joy orig false false 220070 123424 Thrive in Joy Nick Fagnano Foundation Origin StoryMary Fagnano and her husband, Jay, founded Thrive in Joy in memory of their son Nick, a young man whose joy, heart for service, strength of character, and inclusive friendship touched everyone he met. Nick passed away at the age of 20 when a rare and unexpected lighting strike occurred at Venice Beach, CA on July 27, 2014. Nicks presence continues to be deeply felt by the students who participate in Thrive in Joys programming.The Thrive in Joy Collective ProgramRecognizing teens today are living in a world that increasingly emphasizes technology over human connection and more teens are reporting loneliness than ever before, Thrive in Joy's after-school program known as Club Thrive in Joy addresses this issue head on. The student-led program provides social interaction, self-awareness, community engagement, and preparation for what lies ahead after high school. With an eye on the future, the Club Thrive in Joy format is evolving. Renamed as the Thrive in Joy Collective: Character, Community, College, Careers; in summer of 2026, this innovative approach addresses the growing needs of the population Thrive in Joy serves, consisting of ethnically diverse high school students from low-income communities currently attending one of five partner Title I high schools throughout Los Angeles. As a student-led program, the Collective empowers teens to create supportive human connection outside of the frequently isolating framework of social media and other social determinants impacting their well-being. The Thrive in Joy Collective provides a comprehensive, research-informed approach to supporting low-income high school youth by placing a first-gen college student in the role of Advisor for each Collective. This near-peer mentorship enhances students confidence as they grow their leadership skills and set their sights on higher education and career goals working closely with someone from a similar background who has recently achieved that to which they aspire. Desired outcomes are a heightened sense of self-awareness and purpose for every student who participates resulting in students who feel connected, motivated, joyful, supported, seen, and heard.Each student in the Collective completes the 3-session C11 Strength of Character Workshop led by the Collective student Co-chairs, after which any participating student can be certified to lead the workshops for others. Collective Co-chairs also lead weekly meetings facilitating peer dialog structured around Grows (things students are working on improving) and Glows (things they are proud they have accomplished) as well as needs they identify on their campus and in their surrounding community. Collective members host hands-on service-learning projects focused on character strengths, open to all students on campus providing support for students' mental-health by integrating intentional de-stressing activities. Emphasizing leadership and career interests, students in the Collective organize speaker panels, engage in career exploration, and plan Entrepreneurial Social Impact Projects (ESIPs). Each project addresses a need the students identify in their school or community, building long-term leadership capacity and fostering a culture of service and agency. Through these ESIPs, students learn critical thinking, public speaking, teamwork, and civic engagement. Collective activities and initiatives build durable skills for life-long success by exposing students to real-world experience in networking, marketing, budgeting, project management, and outreach; while also supporting students' mental well-being and need for authentic friendships. These activities build peer-to-peer connections while creating student awareness of the meaning and value of Thrive in Joys 11 character strengths: gratitude, honesty, humility, humor, kindness, love, perseverance, perspective, spirituality, teamwork, and zest. College readiness is enhanced with professional application guidance and access to individualized college counseling leveling the playing field for first-generation college applicants whose families often cannot provide this guidance. Current data shows 100% of seniors actively involved in Thrive in Joys program attend a four-year college upon high school graduation. By equipping students with emotional resilience, community engagement, and resources for academic success, Thrive in Joy improves high school graduation rates, college enrollment, and long-term life outcomes creating a multiplier effect as students uplift their peers, families, and communities.Thrive in Joy Collective InternationalThrough a partnership with the nonprofit organization, Retail Orphan Initiative, U.S. volunteers have launched the Thrive in Joy Collective program at schools in Jeffreys Bay South Africa and at a womens learning center in Munnar, India. The Future of the Thrive in Joy Collective By replicating with other universities the work-study partnership established between Thrive in Joy and the University of Southern California (USC), the Thrive in Joy Collective has the potential to expand to more low-income high school campuses by providing the benefit of what is an essential element of the programa college student Advisor for each Collective. Future fundraising will seek support for a scalable training model provided through a digital train-the-trainer platform allowing any high school with a budget for program supplies to implement the program on their campus under the mentorship support of a first-gen college student. This model is a win-win for both the high school students and the first-gen college students who gain valuable career experience. Past Advisors come from a broad field of college degree majors- including Business, Public Policy, and NGO and Social Change.Thrive in Joy in the Dominican Republic A Thrive in Joy legacy initiative provides support for children and youth from low-income communities in the Dominican Republic including youth from 3 years-old to 19 years-old living at the Remar Orphanage. Teams of volunteers join Thrive in Joy staff on service trips two to three times per year. Trips typically are designed for college students in March and high school students in June with an October trip open to all volunteers in partnership with Casa Misionera RD who provides all trip logistics in the Dominican Republic. 220070 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 5 0 true 5 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 11 10 true false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false CA X X X THRIVE IN JOY NICK FAGNANO FOU 2132204686 612 S BROADWAY STE 525 LOS ANGELES CA 90014 MARY FAGNANO Executive Dir. 4.00 0.00 X X 54000 0 0 ELIZABETH ROJAS Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JAY FAGNANO Treasurer 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 HUGO SANCHEZ Treasurer 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 DR DANNY GARCIA Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KRIS WILLIAMS Secretary 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 JOSUE NAJERA Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 SARAH BATIZY Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 AMY GODINEZ Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTT HAGIZADEGAN Director 0.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JOYE SWAN Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 54000 0 false false false 0 13164 300194 313358 DONATIONS - DESIGNATED 26913 26913 DONATIONS - RESTRICTED 19723 19723 DONATIONS - UNRESTRICTED 72626 72626 IN KIND CONTRIBUTIONS 4162 4162 123424 16451 16451 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 OTHER REVENUE 70 70 70 453303 139945 X 70050 70050 0 0 0 54000 29117 18412 6471 0 36142 18304 13508 4330 0 1062 538 397 127 7481 3789 2796 896 0 400 400 11213 11213 0 0 0 20000 34 19936 30 3870 1166 1647 1057 1696 224 1472 0 0 4606 608 2376 1622 3750 762 419 2569 0 0 0 0 0 1497 1497 PROGRAM TRAVEL 27803 27594 209 IN KIND EXPENSES 22726 4262 18464 DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS 18260 4799 8163 5298 PROGRAM FOOD & BEVERAGE 17785 17603 182 60022 41220 10714 8088 362363 220070 111623 30670 8193 6308 177092 214945 0 0 0 0 0 0 2024 1648 0 14758 10293 0 0 0 0 202067 233194 15456 15164 15456 15164 X 127646 197357 58965 20673 186611 218030 202067 233194 X 90940 -59521 X false false false X 254479 227970 296084 385990 427270 1591793 9890 6880 16770 0 0 0 254479 237860 302964 385990 427270 1608563 4134 4134 0 4134 4134 1604429 725 10 4537 16451 21723 0 725 10 4537 16451 21723 0 27 9512 9539 255204 237870 307528 385990 453233 1639825 0.97840 0.99290 0.01320 0.00400 X false CASA MISIONERA PO BOX 18 POWEL OH 43065 853178025 501 (c)3 70050 0 ASSIST WITH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 1 0 Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 2 MARY AND JAY ARE SPOUSES.DAN SHANAHAN, THE OWNER OF SHANAHAN PRINTING + GRAPHICS PROVIDES THRIVE IN JOY PRINTING SERVICES AT COST. DAN IS THE BROTHER OF MARY FAGNANO. THE PRINTING SERVICE EXPENSES ARE BELOW THE REPORTING THRESHOLDS FOR SCHEDULE L AND AS SUCH THIS SCHEDULE IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE INCLUDED. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b A PAID PREPARER PREPARES THE 990 WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CFO/TREASURER. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE 990 DRAFT. A COPY OF THE FORM 990 IS PROVIDED TO THE BOARD PRIOR TO FILING. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c BOARD MEMBERS HAVE SIGNED A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND MUST DISCLOSE IN WRITING AND POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST TO BE PART OF OFFICIAL BOARD POLICY DOCUMENTS IN ADDITION TO BYLAWS THAT ALSO ADDRESS CONFLICT OF INTEREST. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a AS A SMALL NONPROFIT, OUR STAFF IS GROSSLY UNDER-PAID BUT THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT WHEN YOU ARE SEEKING TO GROW. WE LOOKED AT DATA FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS AS WELL AS THE CENTER FOR NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT AND FOUND THAT OUR WAGES ARE ABOUT 30 OF WHAT OTHERS IN COMPARABLE POSITIONS WOULD BE PAID. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 18 Infomation available on https://www.guidestar.org/ Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 No documents available to the public. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e BANK CHARGES: Column (A) - Total = $2611; Column (B) - Program Services = $0; Column (C) - Management & General = $1336; Column (D) - Fundraising = $1275 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e CONTRACTORS: Column (A) - Total = $15597; Column (B) - Program Services = $13443; Column (C) - Management & General = $2154; Column (D) - Fundraising = $0 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e EVENTS: Column (A) - Total = $7588; Column (B) - Program Services = $2226; Column (C) - Management & General = $67; Column (D) - Fundraising = $5295 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e HONORARIUM: Column (A) - Total = $288; Column (B) - Program Services = $288; Column (C) - Management & General = $0; Column (D) - Fundraising = $0 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e MEALS: Column (A) - Total = $1512; Column (B) - Program Services = $589; Column (C) - Management & General = $375; Column (D) - Fundraising = $548 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e MEETING: Column (A) - Total = $3785; Column (B) - Program Services = $469; Column (C) - Management & General = $3177; Column (D) - Fundraising = $139 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e MERCHANDISE EXPENSES: Column (A) - Total = $4209; Column (B) - Program Services = $2260; Column (C) - Management & General = $1660; Column (D) - Fundraising = $289 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e MISSION EXPENSES: Column (A) - Total = $3037; Column (B) - Program Services = $3037; Column (C) - Management & General = $0; Column (D) - Fundraising = $0 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e PHOTOGRAPHERS: Column (A) - Total = $10774; Column (B) - Program Services = $9675; Column (C) - Management & General = $1099; Column (D) - Fundraising = $0 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e Postage and Shipping: Column (A) - Total = $1045; Column (B) - Program Services = $42; Column (C) - Management & General = $617; Column (D) - Fundraising = $386 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Column (A) - Total = $385; Column (B) - Program Services = $0; Column (C) - Management & General = $229; Column (D) - Fundraising = $156 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e PROGRAM CAPITAL PROJECTS: Column (A) - Total = $0; Column (B) - Program Services = $0; Column (C) - Management & General = $0; Column (D) - Fundraising = $0 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e PROGRAM SUPPLIES: Column (A) - Total = $2253; Column (B) - Program Services = $2253; Column (C) - Management & General = $0; Column (D) - Fundraising = $0 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e SCHOLARSHIP: Column (A) - Total = $300; Column (B) - Program Services = $300; Column (C) - Management & General = $0; Column (D) - Fundraising = $0 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e SERVICE GRATUITIES: Column (A) - Total = $376; Column (B) - Program Services = $376; Column (C) - Management & General = $0; Column (D) - Fundraising = $0 Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e STIPEND: Column (A) - Total = $6262; Column (B) - Program Services = $6262; Column (C) - Management & General = $0; Column (D) - Fundraising = $0 Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 CHANGES IN TEMPORARY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS = -$59521