Nonprofit · EIN 43-0971560
OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC
Tax-exempt · KANSAS CITY, MO 64109
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 31, 2025 | 990 | $29,299,897 | $20,092,828 | $9,207,069 | $48,012,957 | $1,108,049 | $46,904,908 |
| October 31, 2024 | 990 | $19,549,304 | $17,722,798 | $1,826,506 | $45,237,203 | $8,202,179 | $37,035,024 |
| October 31, 2023 | 990 | $17,987,372 | $16,219,873 | $1,767,499 | $42,895,521 | $8,512,240 | $34,383,281 |
| October 31, 2021 | 990 | $19,078,518 | $14,950,106 | $4,128,412 | $34,953,494 | $1,315,994 | $33,637,500 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended October 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $22,337,832
- of which government grants
- $6,854,113
- Program service revenue
- $5,703,896
- Investment income
- $1,050,840
- Net rental income
- $61,831
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $161,570
- Net income from fundraising events
- $108,326
- Net income from gaming
- $27,169
- Other revenue
- $207,329
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $900,118
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $279,232
- Other salaries and wages
- $11,038,868
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $13,641,053
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $9,645
- Occupancy
- $1,062,788
- Travel
- $64,175
- Depreciation
- $1,194,303
- Program services (functional)
- $17,393,857
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,909,947
- Fundraising (functional)
- $789,024
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $45,237,203
- Total assets, end of year
- $48,012,957
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,108,049
- Net assets, end of year
- $46,904,908
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $25,479,822
- Publicly traded securities
- $9,983,185
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $46,712,769
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $192,139
- Gross receipts
- $29,556,913
- Employees
- 290
- Volunteers
- 150
- Year formed
- 1971
- State of legal domicile
- MO
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended October 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARY ESSELMAN | CEO Officer | 60 | $192,904 | $14,705 |
| MARY MULKEY | DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Highest-paid employee | 50 | $121,203 | $845 |
| JANIE BISHOP-DEEGAN | ASST DIR SCHOOL AGE PROGRAMMING Highest-paid employee | 50 | $103,908 | $13,831 |
| BRIGITTE BARTON | CONTROLLER Highest-paid employee | 60 | $105,884 | $8,745 |
| ASHLEY BLAND | DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $100,412 | $8,958 |
| KIMMIKKA BROWN | DIRECTOR OF HEALTH & QUALITY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $100,384 | $8,978 |
| KEVIN BOYER | CFO/COO/TREASURER Officer | 12 | $42,194 | $19,087 |
| WENDY HILL | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD WINSTON | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBBIE HOUSH | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL ADAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHAN BENJAMIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMEY BERTRAM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| LESLEY ELWELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS GOODE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
12 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHRYN HARVEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| SMITH HOLLAND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| BRIDGETTE JONES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| JOLIE JUSTUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| ERIC KELLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| KRISTA KLAUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| SHERRI LATHROP | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| JON OTTO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| DYLAN PLEMONS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| SABINA SAFDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| WILLIAM WALKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| TANNER WYCOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
990 for the year ended October 31, 2024: 26 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BERTA SAILER | FOUNDER Highest-paid employee | 4 | $280,856 | $16,268 |
| MARY ESSELMAN | CEO Officer | 60 | $198,995 | $8,751 |
| MARY MULKEY | DIR OF EDUCATION Highest-paid employee | 50 | $120,499 | $4,379 |
| KIMMIKKA BROWN | DIR OF HEALTH/QUALITY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $114,518 | $8,983 |
| JANIE BISHOP-DEEGAN | SCHOOL AGE PROGRAMMING Highest-paid employee | 50 | $101,053 | $19,311 |
| PATRICIA THOMPSON | FACILITIES MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $110,054 | $9,850 |
| KEVIN BOYER | CFO/COO/ TREASURER Officer | 12 | $61,994 | $32,306 |
| JAMEY BERTRAM | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDY HILL | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD WINSTON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHAN BENJAMIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| LESLEY ELWELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS GOODE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| SPENCER HARDWICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHRYN HARVEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| SMITH HOLLAND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBBIE HOUSH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIDGETTE JONES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JOLIE JUSTUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC KELLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTA KLAUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERRI LATHROP | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JON OTTO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| SABINA SAFDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BETH SOUKUP | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| TANNER WYCOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended October 31, 2023: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BERTA SAILER | FOUNDER Highest-paid employee | 4 | $304,152 | $13,724 |
| MARY ESSELMAN | CEO Officer | 60 | $200,139 | $7,855 |
| JAMES THOMAS | COO Highest-paid employee | 50 | $105,294 | $8,864 |
| MARY MULKEY | DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Highest-paid employee | 50 | $112,192 | $0 |
| KEVIN BOYER | CFO/COO/TREASURER Officer | 12 | $99,098 | $9,883 |
| BETH SOUKUP | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMEY BERTRAM | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDY HILL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD WINSTON | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID AYRES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| VIC DYSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS GOODE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| SPENCER HARDWICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHRYN HARVEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| SMITH HOLLAND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JOLIE JUSTUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERRI LATHROP | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| EMMETT THOMPSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| TRAY VEDOCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended October 31, 2021: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARY ESSELMAN | CEO/PRESIDENT Officer | 60 | $189,643 | $6,940 |
| MIKE THOMAS | COO Highest-paid employee | 60 | $138,521 | $6,940 |
| BERTA SAILER | FOUNDER Highest-paid employee | 5 | $142,865 | $0 |
| CHERYL DUFFY | TREASURER/CFO Officer | 40 | $103,250 | $6,940 |
| MARY MULKEY | DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Highest-paid employee | 60 | $101,546 | $0 |
| JAMIE BERTRAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JOAN COHEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DR LAURA FITZMAURICE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MARTHA GERSHUN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS GOODE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| TAMMY HAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| SPENCER HARDWICK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| SMITH HOLLAND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JOLIE JUSTUS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| RAMSEY MOHSEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BETH SOUKUP | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| PAM UNGASHICK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| TRAY VEDOCK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD WINSTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID AYRES | BOARD VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHACE BRUNDIGE | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDY HILL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 3039 TROOST AVE, KANSAS CITY, MO 64109-1540
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- MARY ESSELMAN, 3039 TROOST AVE, KANSAS CITY, MO 64109
- Signed the 990
- KEVIN R BOYER, CFO
- Phone
- (816) 756-3511
- Website
- OPERATIONBREAKTHROUGH.ORG
- Return prepared by
- CBIZ ADVISORS LLC
Mission
TO PROVIDE A SAFE, LOVING AND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN IN POVERTY AND TO EMPOWER THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH ADVOCACY, EMERGENCY AID, AND EDUCATION.
Program accomplishments
- EARLY CHILDHOOD, SCHOOL AGE, AND PARENT SERVICES: DURING FISCAL 2025, OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH OPERATED AT OR NEAR CAPACITY SERVING APPROXIMATELY 400 PRESCHOOLERS AND INFANTS IN ITS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS, 250 SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN IN ITS BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, AND 300 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ITS YOUTH PROGRAMS. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE HEALTH AND WELLNESS, FAMILY SERVICES, MEALS, AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. PROGRAMS ARE PRIMARILY FUNDED BY CONTRIBUTIONS AND GRANTS AND SERVE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES BASED ON FEDERAL GUIDELINES. THE PROGRAM ALSO RECEIVES HEAD START FUNDS.Expenses $17,393,857 · grants $900,118 · revenue $5,703,896
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in October, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | October 31, 2026 | March 15, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | October 31, 2025 | March 16, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | October 31, 2024 | March 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 43-0971560
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- School
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1975
- Accounting year ends
- October
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B20)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $48,012,957
- Income (IRS master file)
- $29,556,913
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | October 2025 | $29,299,897 | $20,092,828 | $48,012,957 | XML |
| 990 | October 2024 | $19,549,304 | $17,722,798 | $45,237,203 | XML |
| 990 | October 2023 | $17,987,372 | $16,219,873 | $42,895,521 | XML |
| 990 | October 2022 | $16,723,338 | $17,442,439 | $34,402,392 | IRS |
| 990 | October 2021 | $19,078,518 | $14,950,106 | $34,953,494 | XML |
| 990 | October 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | October 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | October 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 43-0971560).
Questions about OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC
- What is the EIN of OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC is 43-0971560.
- Is OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1975.
- Are donations to OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending October 31, 2026) is due March 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended October 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC?
- The 990 for the year ended October 31, 2025 names MARY ESSELMAN.
- Who are the officers and directors of OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC?
- The 990 for the year ended October 31, 2025 lists 27 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $192,904 (MARY ESSELMAN, CEO).
- How much revenue does OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended October 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $29,299,897, expenses of $20,092,828 and total assets of $48,012,957 at year end.
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