Dream Project Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE DREAM PROJECT EMPOWERS STUDENTS FROM VIRGINIA'S IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, MENTORING, FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, AND HOLISTIC SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THEIR EDUCATION.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 9.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $85,104, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $583,603 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS:THE DREAM PROJECT AWARDED RENEWABLE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO TALENTED IMMIGRANT STUDENTS IN VIRGINIA. THE DREAM SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNIZES STUDENTS WHO DEMONSTRATE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND PERSEVERANCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY. IN 2025, WE AWARDED A RECORD-BREAKING RENEWABLE $4,000 TO EACH OF THE 105 STUDENTS. (100 FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS AND 5 CTE SCHOLARSHIPS WITH ANOTHER 5 TO BE AWARDED IN FALL 2025). IN 2026 WE EXPECT TO GRANT 100 ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND UP TO 10 CTE SCHOLARSHIPS AT A RATE OF $4,500 EACH. OUR LONGER TERM GOAL OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS IS TO INCREASE THE SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT TO $5,500, MORE CLOSELY APPROXIMATING IN-STATE TUITION AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES
- $85,571 spent. MENTORING: THE DREAM PROJECT OFFERS THREE MENTORING PROGRAMS THAT CONNECT IMMIGRANT HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WITH MENTORS WHO HELP THEM PREPARE FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE CAREERS, OR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PATHWAYS. COLLEGE TRACK: THE YEAR-LONG COLLEGE TRACK PROGRAM SUPPORTS HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AS THEY NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS. STUDENTS RECEIVE GUIDANCE IN RESEARCHING SCHOOLS, WRITING PERSONAL STATEMENTS, AND UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL AID. MENTORSMANY OF WHOM ARE PROFESSIONALS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, OR ALUMNISERVE AS ROLE MODELS, HELPING STUDENTS BUILD CONFIDENCE AND DEVELOP REALISTIC, ACHIEVABLE COLLEGE PLANS. BRIDGE TO DREAMS: LAUNCHED IN SUMMER 2025, BRIDGE TO DREAMS IS A PARTNERSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM WITH STANFORD UNIVERSITY ALUMNI. THIS 8-WEEK VIRTUAL SUMMER MENTORSHIP PAIRS COLLEGE-READY RISING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WITH STANFORD GRADUATE STUDENT MENTORS. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION, INCREASE COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE RATES FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS, AND PROMOTE BROADER REPRESENTATION IN ACADEMIA. MENTEES RECEIVE A $250 STIPEND FOR COMPLETING THE PROGRAM. CTE MENTORING PROGRAM: OUR CTE MENTORING PROGRAM SUPPORTS HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND NEW CTE SCHOLARS WHOSE IMMIGRATION STATUS LIMITS THEIR ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION. STUDENTS ARE PAIRED WITH VOLUNTEER MENTORS WHO GUIDE THEM IN PURSUING CAREERS IN CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) FIELDS. THIS PROGRAM RUNS FROM NOVEMBER THROUGH JUNE.
- $183,236 spent. SCHOLAR, AND ALUMNI SUPPORT:DREAM PROJECT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS RECEIVED COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT THROUGH ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO FOSTER SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND CAREERS: DREAM SUMMIT: THE DREAM PROJECT HOSTS AN ANNUAL, WEEK-LONG DREAM SUMMIT FOR STUDENTS FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND BEYOND. THIS YEAR'S SUMMIT FOCUSED ON RESILIENCE AND WELLBEING. COACHING SERVICES: COLLEGE CAN BE A SIGNIFICANT ADJUSTMENT ESPECIALLY FOR FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS. IN 2024-2025, THE DREAM PROJECT PARTNERED WITH BEYOND 12 TO PROVIDE PERSONALIZED COLLEGE COACHING SERVICES THAT HELPED STUDENTS THRIVE ACADEMICALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY. COACHING WAS OFFERED TO ALL FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS, AND STUDENTS TRANSFERRING FROM TWO-YEAR TO FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS. BEGINNING IN 2025-2026, THESE COLLEGE COACHING SERVICES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN-HOUSE TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN CONTINUITY OF SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION. MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT: RECOGNIZING THAT EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IS ESSENTIAL TO ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL SUCCESS, THE DREAM PROJECT PARTNERS WITH THE CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CPS) TO COVER THE COST OF EIGHT INDIVIDUAL TELEHEALTH COUNSELING SESSIONS FOR STUDENTS. THESE CONFIDENTIAL, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ADDRESS CHALLENGES SUCH AS DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, CHRONIC STRESS, EATING DISORDERS, AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS. CASE MANAGEMENT: AS NEEDED, THE DREAM PROJECT'S CASE MANAGER CONNECTED STUDENTS WITH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT RESOURCES PROVIDING ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES. LOANS: THE MOLLY AND JOSEPH HERMAN DREAM SCHOLAR LOAN FUND, WHICH PROVIDED INTEREST-FREE LOANS TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS FOR UNEXPECTED EMERGENCIES AND DACA APPLICATION FEES. STUDENTS RECEIVED LOANS UP TO $2,000 FOR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES, PAYABLE DIRECTLY TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. NON-DACA LOANS ARE REPAID AFTER GRADUATION WITHIN TWO YEARS, WHILE DACA LOANS ARE REPAID IN MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS OVER FIVE MONTHS. EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND: THE EMERGENCY RELIEF (ERF) IS A TARGETED FINANCIAL RESOURCE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT DREAM PROJECT SCHOLARS EXPERIENCING TEMPORARY, CRITICAL EXTERNAL EMERGENCIES THAT POSE A DIRECT THREAT TO THEIR ABILITY TO COMPLETE A COLLEGE OR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) DEGREE. IN LIGHT OF CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED RISKS, INCLUDING POLITICAL INSTABILITY, IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, AND THE THREAT OF DETENTION OR DEPORTATION. THE ERF WILL FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON IMMIGRATION-RELATED LEGAL EMERGENCIES THAT CREATE A DIRECT AND IMMEDIATE BARRIER TO COMPLETING A COLLEGE OR CTE PROGRAM. COMPUTER AID: A RELIABLE COMPUTER IS ESSENTIAL FOR COLLEGE. THE COMPUTER AID PROGRAM EITHER PAYS FOR THE REPAIRS OR PROVIDES SCHOLARS WITH A REFURBISHED COMPUTER. SHARING OUR STORIES: SHARING OUR STORIES IS A SIX-WEEK WORKSHOP THAT CREATES A SUPPORTIVE SPACE FOR REFLECTION, CONNECTION, AND HEALING THROUGH PERSONAL STORYTELLING. FACILITATED IN SMALL GROUPS MEETING WEEKLY FOR 75 MINUTES, PARTICIPANTS EXPLORE THEIR CHALLENGES AND STRENGTHS THROUGH POETRY, ART, AND WRITING. THE PROGRAM FOSTERS RESILIENCE, COMMUNITY, AND A DEEP SENSE OF BELONGING, ALLOWING PARTICIPANTS TO SHARE AT THEIR OWN PACE. SOLIDARITY CIRCLE: THE SOLIDARITY CIRCLE IS A MONTHLY VIRTUAL GATHERING FOR DREAM PROJECT SCHOLARS AND ALUMNI, FACILITATED BY BELINDA PASSAFARO, CASE MANAGER AND SENIOR CONSULTANT. THIS INCLUSIVE AND CONFIDENTIAL SPACE OFFERS TOOLS AND STRATEGIES FOR WELLNESS, MINDFULNESS, AND MUTUAL SUPPORT. PARTICIPANTS ARE INVITED TO REFLECT, CONNECT, AND GROW TOGETHER BUILDING A STRONGER, MORE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY. LEGAL CONSULTATION: THE DREAM PROJECT UNDERSTANDS THAT NAVIGATING THE LEGAL SYSTEM CAN BE COMPLEX AND INTIMIDATING. THE DREAM PROJECT IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ITS SCHOLARS WITH ACCESS TO QUALITY LEGAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES. AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, DREAM PROJECT OFFERS ONE OR MORE FREE CONSULTATIONS IN THE AREA OF IMMIGRATION LAW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OR PROVIDE A SECOND OPINION WITH VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS ON OUR BOARD. THESE REFERRALS ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO IS A DREAM PROJECT SCHOLAR OR ALUM OF OUR PROGRAMS. SCHOLARS CHECK-IN PROGRAM: THE DREAM PROJECT IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT EVERY SCHOLAR MAINTAINS ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOLARSHIP RENEWAL. THE SCHOLAR CHECK-IN PROGRAM SUPPORTS SCHOLARS WHO NEED ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO MEET ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOLARSHIP CYCLE. THROUGH REGULAR CHECK-INS, OUR CASE MANAGER WORKS CLOSELY WITH EACH STUDENT TO PROVIDE PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE ON ACADEMIC PROGRESS, TIME MANAGEMENT, AND OVERALL WELLNESSHELPING THEM STAY ON TRACK AND THRIVE ACADEMICALLY.
- $26,951 spent. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT:SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE DREAM PROJECT HAS THRIVED THANKS TO THE UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS. WHAT BEGAN AS A SMALL GROUP OF DEDICATED FOUNDING PARENTS DETERMINED TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION DESPITE NUMEROUS CHALLENGES HAS GROWN INTO A VIBRANT AND ENDURING COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORK.THIS YEAR, THE DREAM PROJECT TOOK INTENTIONAL STEPS TO INSTITUTIONALIZE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT BY INCORPORATING IT INTO OUR CORE PROGRAMMATIC GOALSENSURING THAT PARENT PARTICIPATION REMAINS A CORNERSTONE OF SUPPORT FOR OUR MENTEES AND SCHOLARS.FURTHERMORE, THE PARENTS' COMMITTEECOMPOSED OF BOTH FOUNDING AND NEWER FAMILIESHAS LONG PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN THE ORGANIZATION. THE COMMITTEE HAS SPEARHEADED FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES, FOSTERED NETWORKS OF MUTUAL SUPPORT, AND LED OUTREACH EFFORTS TO IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS. THIS YEAR, AN AGREEMENT WAS MADE TO FORMALLY INCORPORATE THE PARENTS' COMMITTEE INTO THE ORGANIZATION'S BYLAWS AS AN AD HOC COMMITTEE, ENSURING THAT PARENTS CONTINUE TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN STRENGTHENING THE DREAM PROJECT'S GROWTH, SUSTAINABILITY, AND COMMUNITY IMPACT.
- $43,991 spent. COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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