2026-06-25T09:19:03-04:00 2025-08-31 474306215 Mullins PC 7625 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda MD 20814 990 2024-09-01 352247059 Live It Learn It % Erin McSpadden LIVE 2025466223 1255 Union St NE STE 700 Washington DC 20002 ERIN MCSPADDEN Co-Executive Director 2025466223 2026-06-25 true true JOHN MULLINS P01429307 2027706371 2026-06-25 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X 1055133 false X www.liveitlearnit.org X 2005 DC LILI partners with public schools and cultural institutions to create and deliver experiential learning opportunities for students in order to increase their self-efficacy, build on their intrinsic motivation, and support their scholarly achievements. 13 13 9 11 0 0 617117 925502 121565 95035 10975 8877 27172 25719 776829 1055133 0 0 709555 609394 0 146451 288755 545453 998310 1154847 -221481 -99714 612515 448741 104994 40934 507521 407807 LILI partners with public schools and cultural institutions to create and deliver experiential learning opportunities for students in order to increase their self-efficacy, build on their intrinsic motivation, and support their scholarly achievements. false false 920914 95035 Live It Learn It (LILI) envisions a day when all learners feel empowered and motivated to engage with the world. We work alongside students, educators, and community partners to build meaningful connections between students in Washington, DCs Title I schools and the museums, landmarks, and historic sites that reflect the richness of their city. We recognize that due to systemic inequities, students in under-resourced communities have had unequal access to out-of-classroom learning opportunities that deepen academic engagement and foster a sense of belonging. In partnership with schools and cultural institutions, we expand access to immersive, place-based learning experiences that connect students to their communities and make classroom learning more relevant. Live It Learn It served approximately 1,809 DC students during the 202425 school year. Since 2005, LILI has served more than 28,000 2nd5th grade students and their teachers in Washington, DCs Title I schools through experiential learning that connects students with local historical, cultural, and environmental sites. Our model centers on facilitating thoughtfully designed field experiences that are directly connected to classroom learning. Teachers select from a menu of options to best support their curriculum and respond to their students strengths and interests. Each grade levels options include units in the arts, humanities, and STEM, developed in collaboration with educators and partners and aligned with DCPS curriculum. In FY25, Live It Learn It piloted Bridge the Gap, a DC Council-funded initiative designed to deepen partnerships with schools and respond more directly to priorities identified by educators and students. Through this pilot, LILI collaborated with school communities to co-design experiential programming that integrates sustained, in-class learning with field-based experiences. Bridge the Gap expands access to experiential learning while strengthening continuity between classroom instruction and out-of-school opportunities, with a focus on fostering belonging, reinforcing academic skills, and building meaningful connections to students communities. Early implementation has provided valuable insights into how more sustained and responsive programming can support student learning and engagement, and these learnings will inform future program development and potential expansion. Through these experiences, students build background knowledge, strengthen confidence as learners, and deepen their sense of belonging within the broader DC community. Our approach is designed to be accessible and engaging for all students, regardless of prior knowledge, language background, or reading level. Our program demonstrates impact on students literacy development and self-efficacy, while supporting meaningful connections to place during a critical phase of child development. Approximately 91% of our students are Black and Brown. More than 60% attend schools east of the Anacostia River. Our partner schools in Wards 1 and 4 serve large numbers of students (4053% of the school population) who are classified as English Language Learners. In Washington, DC, schools and cultural institutions recognize LILI as a trusted partner in experiential learning. Our model is designed to support meaningful engagement with cultural spaces and encourage continued exploration; after participating in a LILI experience, 83% of students report wanting to return to the site, and 90% express interest in learning more about the subject they explored. 920914 true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 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 false false false false false true 23 0 true 9 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 13 13 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X X Erin McSpadden 2025466223 1255 Union St NE Ste 700 Washington DC 20002 Maryam Trowell Co-Executive Director 40.00 0.00 X 84073 0 19803 Erin McSpadden Co-Executive Director 40.00 0.00 X 85711 0 9361 Nigel Atwell Secretary 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Penny Smith Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Juliana Su Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Alejandro Diasgranados Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Stephanie Myers Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Melanie Hunter Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Sharon Wiener Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Melissa Caceres Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kevin Harrell Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kimberly Lucas Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Andrea Wise Smith Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Tracy Shaw Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Gene Frazier Treasurer 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 169784 0 29164 0 false false false 430000 495502 5753 925502 Program Income 611710 95035 95035 95035 8877 8877 20703 20703 20703 20703 0 Miscellaneous 900099 5016 5016 5016 1055133 100051 0 29580 169784 118209 18099 33476 310776 216372 33129 61275 14042 9776 1497 2769 73860 49373 7560 16927 40932 28499 4363 8070 55750 45184 3522 7044 32500 26341 2053 4106 5767 83 194 5490 8879 6403 1092 1384 10887 6146 3346 1395 82724 78588 4136 3660 3660 14845 10392 1484 2969 Bank and Merchant Fees 1995 403 46 1546 Student Programming 328446 325145 3301 1154847 920914 87482 146451 363484 274464 65600 89672 39435 17085 22915 20692 11313 36602 42989 73166 3839 612515 448741 29783 37634 3300 3300 71911 104994 40934 X 385921 333777 121600 74030 507521 407807 612515 448741 -99714 0 X false true X true false X 809536 718593 623010 617117 925502 3693758 809536 718593 623010 617117 925502 3693758 636392 3057366 10975 8877 19852 30880 34044 28382 268 5016 98590 3812200 0.80200 0.80200 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X 1055133 1055133 1055133 1154847 1154847 1154847 Part X, Line 2-Text in footnote regarding FIN 48 (ASC 740) Live It Learn It is exempt from the payment of income taxes on its exempt activities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.Live It Learn It follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification, which provides guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in Live It Learn Its financial statements, if any. As of August 31, 2025, Live It Learn It had no unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions in its information return that would qualify for either recognition or disclosure in its financial statements. Live It Learn Its policy would be to recognize interest and penalties on tax positions related to its unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense in the financial statements. Through August 31, 2025, there have been no matters that would have resulted in an accrual for interest and/or penalties.Generally, the tax years before 2022 are no longer subject to examination by federal, state, or local taxing authorities. Form 990 governing body review Part VI line 11 The Organizations Board of Directors reviews the Organizations financial statements on a quarterly basis. In addition, the Organization has hired an accounting firm to oversee the accounting and financial reporting functions. The review process for Form 990 is as follows: 1) The Organizations Co-Executive Directors collaborate with an accounting firm to draft the 990; 2) The draft is reviewed by the Finance and Oversight Committee of the Board of Directors and subsequently revised, as needed; 3) The final draft of the 990 is sent to the full Board of Directors for comment and then put to a vote to file with the IRS as presented. Conflict of interest policy compliance Part VI line 12c Staff and Board are under a continuing obligation to disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest as soon as it is known, or reasonably should be known. Staff and Board are required to complete an annual conflict of interest disclosure and submit it to the Chair of the Board. An additional disclosure statement shall be filed at such time as an actual or potential conflict arises. CEO executive director top management comp Part VI line 15a In January 2024, we paid HRi to conduct a salary band review of all FTE and PTE positions. They use salary.coms CompAnalyst program, which narrows down the industry, region, and business size. They used the role descriptions we provided (FY 23 role descriptions) and compared salaries with a 70% or higher match to those descriptions using these parameters:Industry: Nonprofit, educational support servicesRegion: DCBusiness size: $5 million revenue The $5 million revenue is the smallest category available to this program. LILI is significantly smaller, with an operating budget of just over $1 million. Because of this, we use the midpoint of the provided salary band as our maximum. Best practice is to come within 60%-70% of the high number on the band provided by HRi. Generally, were prioritizing making sure that entry and mid-level positions are within a higher percentage of that, and well work to grow senior positions to at least that level. Other officer or key employee compensation Part VI line 15b See 15a Governing documents etc available to public Part VI line 19 Live It Learn Its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available to the public upon request at the Organizations office. General explanation attachment Mission Statement Continuation:Partnerships with Title I Schools: We offer our exceptional programs to students who attend schools in high-poverty neighborhoods that often lack the resources to provide experiential learning opportunities.Rigorous three-part learning model: Each Live It Learn It experience consists of a pedagogically sound learning loop extensive preparation, intensive experience, and guided reflection to ensure that students get the most out of every program.Engaging curricular materials: For each of our programs, our staff has developed rich, detailed curricular materials that are interdisciplinary, age-appropriate, and aligned with Common Core standards. Transformative effect on teachers: Partner teachers see firsthand the powerful effect that our experiential learning programs have on their students, and are often inspired to incorporate more active learning into their daily lessons.Emphasis on rigor and engagement: We understand that children learn best when they are highly motivated, so our programs are designed to challenge students while inspiring joy and excitement.