Nonprofit · EIN 65-1144775
THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC
Tax-exempt · FORT MYERS, FL 33901
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $62,983,349 | $62,026,273 | $957,076 | $7,707,815 | $5,188,344 | $2,519,471 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $73,999,195 | $72,738,916 | $1,260,279 | $8,341,902 | $6,779,507 | $1,562,395 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $106,462,271 | $106,419,571 | $42,700 | $6,983,374 | $6,681,258 | $302,116 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $61,575,396
- of which government grants
- $61,527,730
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $0
- Other revenue
- $1,407,953
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $598,633
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,834,677
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $4,152,345
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $76,107
- Accounting fees
- $116,013
- Occupancy
- $491,174
- Travel
- $27,686
- Depreciation
- $323,692
- Program services (functional)
- $59,690,258
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,336,015
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $8,341,902
- Total assets, end of year
- $7,707,815
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $5,188,344
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,519,471
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $24,629
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,519,471
- Gross receipts
- $62,983,349
- Employees
- 69
- Volunteers
- 18
- Year formed
- 2000
- State of legal domicile
- FL
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 June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR MELANIE STEFANOWICZ | CEO Officer | 40 | $177,744 |
| GILDA DURAN | CHIEF PROG. Officer | 40 | $126,960 |
| WYNETTA UPSHAW | CAO Officer | 40 | $115,724 |
| RICHARD COCCHIERI | CFO Officer | 40 | $100,786 |
| LEONA ADKINS | CQO Officer | 40 | $77,418 |
| KAE MOORE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| LAURA BRIGHT | VICE BOARD C Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JAMIE MERCHANT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| SEAN KEMPTON | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DR ELIZABETH MCBRIDE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DRBETHANY QUISENBERRY | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MICHELE KING | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DRDEREK BURKHOLDER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DR KELLY ROSS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| CHANTEL PORTE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
8 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TANYA WILLIAMS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BARBARA SHORT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| CHAR-NEQUA SMITH | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BROOKE DELMOTTE GOLDSTEIN | TREASURER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| REBECCA MCKELLAR | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| AARON STITT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ALEX BREAULT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| TARA SHERROD | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 23 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR MELANIE STEFANOWICZ | CEO Officer | 40 | $118,137 |
| LEONA ADKINS | CQO Officer | 40 | $117,476 |
| LUGEENYA BLACKSTOCK | CFO Officer | 40 | $104,347 |
| GILDA DURAN | CHIEF PROG. Officer | 40 | $104,175 |
| WYNETTA UPSHAW | CAO Officer | 40 | $99,509 |
| SUSAN BLOCK | CEO Officer | 40 | $76,657 |
| AARON STITT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANGELA NADER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BARBARA SHORT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHAR-NEQUA SMITH | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR KELLY ROY | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TANYA WILLIAMS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR ELIZABETH MCBRIDE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REBECCA MCKELLAR | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TARA SHERROD | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BROOKE DELMOTTE GOLDSTEIN | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHANTAL PORTE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHELE KING | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHARON BAYATA LOVE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LAURA BRIGHT | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DOUGLAS SZABO | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY ROSS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ALEX BREAULT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN BLOCK | CEO Officer | 40 | $154,173 |
| LUGEENYA BLACKSTOCK | CFO Officer | 40 | $103,660 |
| LEONA ADKINS | CQO Officer | 40 | $96,608 |
| GILDA DURAN | CHIEF PROG. Officer | 40 | $84,868 |
| LAURA BRIGHT | INTERIM BOAR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DOUGLAS SZABO | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR ELIZABETH MCBRIDE | SECRETARY Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ALEX BREAULT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHELE KING | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHARON LOVE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REBECCA MCKELLAR | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BARBARA SHORT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARY GRACE ROMO | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TARA SHERROD | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHAY SMITH | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| AARON STITT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LAURA BRIGHT | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BROOKE DELMOTTE | TREASURER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHANTEL PORTE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY ROSS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TANYA WILLIAMS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2675 WINKLER AVE STE 300, FORT MYERS, FL 33901-9329
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- DR MELANIE STEFANOWICZ, 2675 WINKLER AVE RM/STE 300, FORT MYERS, FL 33901
- Signed the 990
- DR MELANIE STEFANOWICZ, CEO
- Phone
- (239) 935-6100
- Website
- ELCOFSWFL.ORG
- Return prepared by
- MKA ADVISORY LLC
Mission
THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF CHILDREN'S LIVES BY PROVIDING FAMILIES, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS, CARE- GIVERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN COLLIER, GLADES, HENDRY AND LEE COUNTIES, WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE FUTURE. THE EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS HAVE HIGH QUALITY STANDARDS, COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES, SEAMLESS DELIVERY SYSTEMS WITH DIVERSE SETTINGS, AND WELL-EDUCATED, COMPETENT STAFF. THE DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAMS ARE COMPRISED OF CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND OF SCHOOL-BASED SITES OPERATED BY PUBLIC AND NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Program accomplishments
- SCHOOL READINESS (SR) PROGRAMS: EMPOWERS PARENTS AS A CHILD'S FIRST TEACHER AND HELPS THEM PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN TO BE READY FOR SCHOOL THROUGH ENROLLMENT WITH SR PROVIDERS. THE PROVIDERS OFFER DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM; SUITABLE STAFF TO CHILDREN RATIOS TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF EACH CHILD; AND THE ABILITY FOR PARENTS TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE ABOUT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM THAT BEST FITS THEIR FAMILY'S NEED. THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SUPPORTS THE STATE PROGRAM IN COLLIER, GLADES, HENDRY AND LEE COUNTIES BY CONTRACTING FOR SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE SERVICES WITH 230 SCHOOL READINESS PROVIDERS; PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SR PROVIDERS; 7,426 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM.Expenses $29,949,193
- VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN (VPK): A LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED, STATEWIDE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PREPARE EVERY FOUR-YEAR-OLD AND YOUNGER FIVE-YEAR-OLDS IN FLORIDA FOR KINDERGARTEN AND BUILD THE FOUNDATION FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS. THE VPK PROGRAM GIVES EACH CHILD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PREPARATION TO PERFORM BETTER IN SCHOOL AND THROUGHOUT LIFE THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN VPK. PROVIDERS CONTRACT TO ASSURE HIGH LITERACY STANDARDS, ACCOUNTABILITY, APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM, SUBSTANTIAL INSTRUCTION PERIODS, MANAGEABLE CLASS SIZES, AND QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS. THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SUPPORTS THE VPK PROGRAM IN COLLIER, GLADES, HENDRY AND LEE COUNTIES BY CONTRACTING FOR VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN SERVICES AND SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH QUALITY VPK PROVIDERS. THE PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE FOR FOUR AND FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN IN 250 SITES SERVING 7,567 CHILDREN IN OUR 4-COUNTY REGION.Expenses $29,711,065
- AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT EARLY LEARNING DISCRETIONARY GRANT: THIS INITIATIVE IS FUNDED FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP) ACT DISCRETIONARY CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT TRUST FUND IN SECTION 53 OF CHAPTER 2023-239, LAWS OF FLORIDA. THE PURPOSE OF THIS FUNDING IS TO IMPLEMENT AN EARLY LEARNING DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: INCREASING/BUILDING THE SUPPLY OF CHILD CARE, TRAINING, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES, AND WORKFORCE INITIATIVES, LOCAL INITIATIVES/PILOT PROJECTS TO IMPROVE KINDERGARTEN READINESS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, CLASSROOM MATERIALS, CURRICULUM, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMPUTER SOFTWARE, EARLY LEARNING SOFTWARE AND TECHNOLOGY.Expenses $30,000
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 65-1144775
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2002
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B012)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $7,707,815
- Income (IRS master file)
- $62,983,349
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $62,983,349 | $62,026,273 | $7,707,815 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $73,999,195 | $72,738,916 | $8,341,902 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $106,462,271 | $106,419,571 | $6,983,374 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $68,403,647 | $68,469,393 | $7,578,436 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | 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 65-1144775).
Questions about THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC
- What is the EIN of THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC is 65-1144775.
- Is THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2002.
- Are donations to THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA 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 THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names DR MELANIE STEFANOWICZ.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 23 people; 5 received compensation from the organization, the highest $177,744 (DR MELANIE STEFANOWICZ, CEO).
- How much revenue does THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $62,983,349, expenses of $62,026,273 and total assets of $7,707,815 at year end.
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