2022-2023 Axis Impact Report

2022-2023

Impact Report

Letter From the Founder

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As I reflect on an incredible second year of growth here at Axis, I am filled with gratitude for all of you who have generously supported and championed our work to bridge the gap between people of color and independent schools.

When I established Axis as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2020, I had a vision of building diverse independent school communities here in Los Angeles that would ensure equal access and opportunity for all students and educators. What I did not anticipate, however, is the groundswell of support that has propelled this organization to the heights we have reached in just two short years of operation.

Over the past year alone, we have:

Doubled the number of BIPOC families we are serving from admissions through graduation, from 40 families in 2022 to 86 in 2023; Grown our network of Partner Schools to 35 independent schools that are facilitating access for BIPOC students and educators;

Hired a full-time Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accountability (DEIA); and Raised over $150k at our inaugural Axis Glow Up Gala.

None of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of our phenomenal team and the generosity of our supporters. It is your commitment to a more equitable education system for our children that pushes our work forward.

As we forge ahead toward our strategic vision for 2023-2024, we invite you to join us Together, we can open the doors of educational opportunity to students of color and change lives for generations to come

Sincerely,

Collette Bowers Zinn, J.D., M.Ed. Founder & Executive Director

Together, we can open the doors of educational opportunity for students of color and change lives for generations to come.

Our Mission

Axis' mission is to partner with Los Angeles area independent schools to create pathways for underrepresented students and families of color to access, navigate, and thrive in private education.

We accomplish this by:

guiding, supporting, and representing families of color as they navigate the admissions process and for the duration of their independent school journey; helping educators of color connect with our Partner Schools and find employment at a school that aligns with their educational philosophy and professional goals; and providing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accountability (DEIA) consulting and accreditation for our Partner Schools.

and Vision

We envision diverse independent school communities that ensure equal opportunity for all students and educators in Los Angeles.

Research shows that diversity enriches the learning experience for all students. Racial and socioeconomic diversity in educational settings reduces prejudice and improves students' critical thinking by allowing them to consider perspectives different from their own (The Century Foundation).

By supporting more students and educators of color to access independent school opportunities, we improve learning outcomes for all students and take strides toward diversity and equality in our society as a whole.

Our Programs

Student Placement

Axis guides, supports, and represents students and families of color throughout the independent school admissions process and for the duration of their independent school journey. We are there every step of the way to serve as advocates and partners for the families in our cohorts as they navigate their new school communities.

2

Your expertise and professionalism in the field of education were impressive and evident throughout the entire Axis process. We are confident our daughter will thrive under your guidance and leadership.

-Cohort 3 parent

Educator Placement

In addition to ensuring that student populations are representative of the diversity of Los Angeles through our Student Placement Program, we also actively support the diversification of independent school faculties. We help educators of color connect with our Partner Schools and find employment at a school that aligns with their educational philosophy and professional goals We provide tailored support to members of our annual cohort as BIPOC employees in independent schools.

DEIA Professional Development & Accreditation

Axis is developing a first-of-its-kind Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accountability (DEIA) Accreditation to support our Partner Schools in assessing and strengthening their DEIA policies and practices. We provide ongoing professional development and consulting to ensure our Partner Schools are the healthy, inclusive spaces needed to attract and sustain diversity

Chuck Neddermeyer

Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accountability

Our school partners with Axis because it is important to us to support organizations that are working to transform the culture of independent schools, particularly for students and families of color."

-The Episcopal School of Los Angeles

Associate

Axis to Equity Fund

Purpose

The Axis to Equity Fund is an innovative solution supporting our work of providing equitable opportunity for students and families of color in Axis Partner Schools.

When considering the cost of private school, we must also consider the supplemental costs of education books, technology, uniforms, student activities, and more. Our Axis to Equity Fund will help cover some of these expenses for the families in our cohorts who are financially unable to meet them.

Seed Funding Provided by Goal

The goal of the Axis to Equity Fund is to ensure that the families in our cohorts have equitable access to all of the benefits of an independent school education, and financial support for the unexpected expenses that inevitably arise along the independent school journey.

Le From the Founder

Metrics

86

An impact report is a way for organizations to communicate the issues they are trying to improve, as well as their strategy on how they facilitated change.

30

What should you be including in your impact report? You can start with a brief review of your organization's goals From there, it's important to take note of the following questions:

As a Nonprofit, what problem/s are you trying to address?

Families of Color in 3 Axis Cohorts Axis Partner Schools

35

It measures the impact that NFPs make in people's lives, focusing on their social or environmental outcomes, It isn't merely a description of the activities undertaken by the organization either, but it also provides the analysis on the results of these activities.

There are several reasons why organizations create impact reports, such as:

Being able to review your projects against your mission and goals

Improving and implementing changes depending on the results of the report

Building trust with funders, supporters, and beneficiaries

Cultivating a culture of learning among similar organizations

Celebrating the achievements of staff and volunteers

93%

How are you addressing it? What projects or steps have you put in place?

What are the results of your actions?

How do you measure the success of your actions? How do you know if you ' ve made a difference?

What challenges did you face? How will you improve your plans?

Families Served in Cohort 2 Families Currently in Cohort 3

Based on your learnings, what steps are you likely to take in the future?

Impact reports cater to a variety of audiences, so it's best to adjust it accordingly. First, identify your target reader. Next, you can shift your focus on what they need to know. For example, your future plans are in the interest of your beneficiaries Some readers might prefer details like a breakdown of your funding while others, like your trustees, will be more interested in the challenges you encountered and the lessons you learned from them

Creating a good impact report means being transparent with your audience Back up your claims with relevant data Keep your sentences concise when necessary, but dive into detail when it comes to qualitative and quantitative evidence. Remember: an impact report is a combination of understanding your mission, your work, and your audience, and communicating that clearly with the rest of the world.

Events Held for the Axis Community

46 Cohort 2 Acceptance Rate

19 Partner Schools Applied to Axis Student Interns

25 7

Events

Axis Orientation + Partner School Fair

Cohort 3 families met each other and Axis Partner Schools, and gained insight from a panel of Cohort 2 parents.

New friends of the organization gathered to break bread and discuss "Equity + Education: From Vision to Reality." Dialogue

Dinners are structured to invite listening, learning, connection, and collaboration.

Axis Glow Up Gala

The inaugural Axis Glow Up Gala brought 270+ guests together to honor education pioneer Reveta Bowers and raise over $150k in support of Axis' work to bridge the gap between people of color and independent schools.

Click to watch

Axis Dialogue Dinners

Interview Exposure Event

Cohort 2 families participated in mock interviews and received feedback, tips, and resources to gain exposure to the admissions interview process at our Partner

We held five Information Sessions for over 200 families of color who signed up to learn more about the Axis Student Placement Program. The Axis team answered their questions and concerns about applying to independent schools.

State of the Organization

Cocktail Reception

Friends of Axis donors, the Axis Board, Partner Schools, and community partners gathered to hear from a panel of Cohort 2 parents and the Axis team about the state of the organization.

Click to watch

Impact Stories

The Sanders Family

When we initially applied to independent schools for our son, we did it on our own and it took us two years. We didn't know anything about the process! We weren't accepted the first time, so we applied again a second time, and finally got him in

When it came time for our older daughter to apply for high school, we knew we needed help The expectations were higher, and we wanted her to really consider college and become the best person she could be.

We heard about Axis, and knew they had the expertise we needed We really appreciated all of the information that they were so forthcoming about at the beginning of the process, letting us know what was ahead.

Even though we had gone through the admissions process with our son, Axis illuminated so much that we didn't know before. Thanks to them, our daughter will be attending one of her top choice schools in fall 2023

Axis made it less scary and intimidating for people like us who are not traditionally served at these schools. Throughout the whole admissions process, it just felt like family.

2023 Strategic Priorities

I originally discovered Axis when our family was in the process of applying to independent schools, and I was moved by the mission and passion of the team. After delving more into Axis' focus on equity in education, I was honored to join the Board of Directors and be elected Axis Board Chair. This year has been filled with excitement and progress, from growing our team to six members and expanding our cohort We have set the bar high in our third year, and we are excited to reach it. Outlined below are our three strategic priorities for 2023. I am confident that with our community's help, we will not only reach these goals but exceed them!

Cherie Matthews, Axis Board Chair VP of Global Talent Strategy & Development, Capital Group

2023 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Axis to Equity Fund

The Axis to Equity Fund is an innovative solution to provide equitable opportunity for students and families of color at our Partner Schools This fund will cover the supplemental costs of education, such as books, technology, and student activities, for the families in our cohorts who are financially unable to meet them. Our goal is raise $100,000 by the end of 2023.

Educator Placement Program

In 2023 we are ramping up our Educator Placement Program, recruiting and placing more educators of color in our Partner Schools We will also be hosting a mixer event for BIPOC educators across our Partner Schools this fall

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accountability (DEIA) Accreditation

We will also be piloting our DEIA Accreditation this fall There will be four phases to the roll out of this program, beginning with school self-assessments and moving through site visits, evaluations, and consultations We are excited to be working with our new Associate Director for DEIA on this roll out

Financials

Axis is proud to report a year of strong, foundational support from our donors As we continue to build and expand our programs, we remain committed to fiscal prudence to ensure the sustainability of our organization and maintain high-quality programming for our students and the schools we serve.

$2,188,297

Raised in 2022

With the generous support of an anonymous foundation, Axis expanded significantly in 2022. This transformative grant allowed us to build a team and operational capacity. We have since developed a three-year strategic fundraising plan focused on increasing individual and major giving

We hosted our first annual Axis Glow Up Gala in 2022 to generate awareness and community engagement, and we plan to increase individual donations and major gifts by 28% through the 2023 Axis Glow Up Gala.

Our goal in 2023 is to grow individual and major giving by 65% Six months into 2023, we have already reached 75% of that goal 2022 was a transformative year for Axis, and we look forward to continuing to bolster the organization's financial diversity and sustainability in 2023

Individual Donations

4% Gala

10 3%

Transformative Grant

85 7%

$779,400 Expenses in 2022

In 2022, Axis invested significantly in building organizational capacity to create a strong foundation for sustained growth.

In our second full year of operation, we built a team of three full-time staff including the Executive Director, Director of Operations, and Advancement Communications Coordinator and one part-time staff, the Associate Director for Admissions and Programs

We built the Axis brand and established key partnerships to reach new beneficiaries and expand our network of community partners and Partner Schools

With the foundation of organizational capacity in place, Axis' goal moving forward is for programming costs to comprise the majority of expenses by year four of operation

Operational Expenses (Rent, Marketing, Partnership Development, Supplies)

24 2%

Programming

41.4%

Admin Salaries

34 4%

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2023

The Axis Glow Up Gala

is an annual fundraiser

celebrating the "glow up" of Los Angeles independent school communities through the diversification of student and educator populations, equitable access for underrepresented students and families of color, inclusive educational practices, and genuine accountability.

The 2nd Annual Axis Glow Up Gala will be

a vibrant evening of art, music, food, and community celebrating the transformational impact of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accountability in Los Angeles independent schools The event will feature BIPOCowned food and drink, interactive experiences, live performances, and an inspiring program.

Learn more at privateschoolaxis.org/glow-up-gala.

MEET THE HONOREE

Bridgid Coulter Cheadle is an award-winning

entrepreneur and philanthropist with a long history of advocating for access to education and protection of the environment. Bridgid is celebrated for her family's philanthropic work with a focus on climate change, social justice, political decency, women's equity, and education for the historically marginalized.

Bridgid has received numerous awards for her work as a producer, designer, and trailblazer, including the National Distinguished 400 Award from the 400 Years of African American History Commission, Stewardship of Sustainable Design from the City of Santa Monica, and Woman of the Year by the County of Los Angeles District 2.

2023 GLOW UP GALA COMMITTEE

KAHLANA BARFIELD

IMAN FARRIOR

RITA

BROWN Fashion and Beauty Editor and Expert

TV Business Affairs Executive, Creative Artists Agency

TODD HAWKINS Vice President, The Hawkins Company

BOLAJI IDAKOJI Co-Founder, Picnics in the Bay

MIA NOVACK CEO, Platinum Events + Productions Agency

SILVA Director of Leadership, Engagement & Student Life, The Country School

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

Foundation & Corporate Donors

Friends of Axis

The Friends of Axis donor circle includes generous individual donors who have given $1,000 or more to Axis in 2022 or 2023.

JoyceandAviArad

AllisonandLarryBerg

PaulineandGlennBoghosian

JessicaBowman

CindyandBobBroder

RobertCobb

GeorgiaEisner

ImanandJamesFarrior

LisaFieldandTheField FamilyFoundation

KellieHawkinsDavis

LindseyandMatthewKaratz

MariaLawrence

Barbara Lazaroff

Ellen Lee

Randy Lee

Bryan Lourd

Kay Madati

Anita Martin

Cherie Matthews

Vicki and Jim Mercer

Huey Merchant

Walter Mosley

Doreen and Don Oleson

The Olympia Collective

Brian Potiker

GraceandTarlinRay

DavidReganand

EdgarCervantes

FredricRosen

KathleenandChip Rosenbloom

SteveandKaaylaRoth

MiaSanders

KaraSax

JamesandEvisShaffer

AndrewSmithLewis

BenStewart

MelindaTsapatsaris

2022 Glow Up Gala Sponsors

Cindy and Bob Broder

Samantha Vincent and Frank E. Flowers

Don and Doreen Oleson

Lisa Field and the Field Family Foundation

Evis and James Shaffer

Glow

Joyce and Avi Arad

Axis Supporters

Jessica Aguirre

Sharona Alperin

Olympia Ammon

LaVonne Anderson

Anonymous (4)

Sarah Arlon

Cynthia Atterberry

Toyin Augustus

Jacquelyn Ayears

Robert Barta

Herran Bekele

Vanessa Bell Calloway

Mary Beth Barry

Rachel Blachman

Black Prep

Roger Bridges

Jennifer Burnham-Grubbs

Celso Cardenas

Angela Chang

Cynthia Cheung

Rese Clifton

Candace Cooper

Erika Cooper

Kalen Cornelious

Philip Covitz

Kara Corwin

Orpheus S. Crutchfield

Ashley Cunning

Bonnie and Kim Curtis Lincoln

AdaPia d'Errico

Jenny Dulay

Merrily and Bob Dunlap

Julie Edelstein

Rebecca Edwards

Breck and Georgia Eisner

Jordan Esensten

Sharon Fagen

Dana Feldstein

Bill Gerber

Jessica Golden

Loren Gomez

Johnny Gray

Green Door Learning, LLC

Dahlea Haas

Ashley Harding

Floy Hawkins

Todd Hawkins

Cherie Hines

Carol Horvitz

Chris Hurte

Ibrahim Idakoji

Vincent Jackson

Gila Jones

Helene Julius

Andrea L. Vande Kamp

Ross and Linda Kemper

Patricia Kong

Laurie and Alec Kouyoumdjian

Ethan Kraft-Hawkins

Danny Kramer

Olivia Krane

Diane Lander Simon

Debbie Lumpkin

Jovana Lara-Brooks

Ellen Lee

Sharon Lee

Susanna Lovell

Natalie and Gray Lusk

Orly Marley

Dorian Maynard

Sarah McDowell

Amber Melius

Brent Miller

KC Miller

Tammi Montier

Maia Morgan

Priya Nambiar

Winifred and Ken Neisser

Brittany Owens

Kevin Parker

Jim Patton

Catherine Phillips

Gail Porter

Harriet Posner

Heather Primus

PS1 Pluralistic School

Mateo Reyes

Christopher Rice-Shepherd

Aimee Richer

Javier Rivera

Paula Rodgers

Eve Rodsky

Heidi Rojas

Johnnetta Sanders

Nora Sarrawi

Shiva Shprits

Rita Smith

Louis Sterling

Arezoo Tarkian

Katie and Matt Tarses

Dauve Turner

Lauren Turner

Ekong Udoekwere

Melissa Unger

Barbara Wagner

Karen and Don Walker

Lisa Walker

Jawaan Wallace

Meena White

Luthern Williams

Aaliyah Williams

Ken and Madeline Wolf

Daniele Worth-Ochoa

Zoe Zeigler

Grover Zinn

Sue Zisko

Partner Schools

Team Axis

COLLETTE BOWERS ZINN, J.D., M.Ed.

Founder, Executive Director

KIKI WALKER Director of Operations

ANNIKA IHNAT

Advancement Communications Coordinator

ANTHONY GASKINS

Associate Director for Admissions & Programs

CHUCK NEDDERMEYER

Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accountability

DALIA CAUDLE

Executive Assistant to the Founder/Executive Director

Board of Directors

KAWANNA BROWN

Chief Operating Officer

Magic Johnson Enterprises

83%

RASHEDA CARROLL

Assistant Head of School

Westland School

NOAH FRANCIS

Vice President & Banker

J P Morgan Los Angeles Private Bank

of the Axis Board of Directors identify as people of color

YC (YANGCHEN) LAMA

Senior Vice President of Wealth Management

Morgan Stanley

MAI LASSITER

Board Member

Clara Lionel Foundation

CHERIE MATTHEWS - BOARD CHAIR

Vice President, Talent Strategy & Development

Capital Group

JOHN MCMICHAEL

Vice President & Banker

J.P. Morgan Los Angeles Private Bank

HUEY MERCHANT

Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist

Child and Family Guidance Center

Spencer Stuart

AARON MIESZCZANSKI

Consultant, Education and Social Impact Practice

ANDREW SMITH LEWIS - VICE BOARD CHAIR Founder & CEO ASL Industries

THA VINCENT President One Race Films

MELINDA TSAPATSARIS Head of School Westland School

Founding Advisory Board

ART BECERRA-FRAIJO

Co-Founder, Managing Partner

Toledo Development, LLC

CHARISSE BREMOND WEAVER

President & CEO Brotherhood Crusade

KELLIE HAWKINS DAVIS Partner EKA

JERMAINE JOHNSON

Manager & Producer

3Arts Entertainment

JANINE JONES

Assistant Head of School for Community and Belonging

Harvard-Westlake School

LAURA KONIGSBERG

Head of School

Turning Point School

80% of Advisory Board Members identify as people of color

JASON LUKOSE

Professional Development Consultant

Curriculum Associates

GRAY LUSK

Founding Partner

SoLa Impact

EMMANUEL MIDY

Manager, Media & Entertainment Performance Roku

FARAH VELASQUEZ

Capital Strategy Associate

Mission Driven Finance