Academy For Urban School Leadership

Chicago, IL ยท Founded 2001

Trains diverse teachers and improves educational outcomes in underinvested Chicago communities

Primary audience
Students and Teachers
Work area
Education Training
Topic
Urban Education Equity
Contact
Donald Feinstein
Website Contact

About Organization

Academy for Urban School Leadership operates a nationally-recognized Teacher Residency Program that recruits and trains diverse educators for schools in underinvested neighborhoods. Based in Chicago, IL, the organization reported $10.4 million in revenue and employed 118 staff members in 2023. Founded in 2001, AUSL works to ensure all students have access to excellent education in their own communities.

What They Focus On

Teacher Development

Recruiting, training, and supporting diverse educators through residency programs and ongoing professional development

Education Equity

Ensuring students in underinvested neighborhoods have access to excellent teachers and quality education

Student Support Services

Providing tutoring, college readiness, social-emotional learning, arts, and athletics to enhance student success

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$10.4M

+9.4% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$9.8M

+8.7% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$10.1M

+6.7% vs 2022

Employees (2023)

118

+136% vs 2022

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $10,429,338 $9,761,530 $10,081,820 118
2022 $9,535,591 $8,981,787 $9,448,227 50
2021 $10,302,671 $8,013,520 $9,385,123 58
2020 $8,485,774 $10,155,149 $7,860,639 59
2019 $7,566,015 $10,454,328 $9,688,671 69
2018 $12,504,516 $13,466,465 $12,011,292 77
2017 $11,712,205 $12,583,444 $12,741,121 81

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Recruit Diverse Candidates

    Identify and select teacher candidates with long-term passion for urban education equity

  • 02

    Provide Residency Training

    Deliver intensive year-long preparation combining classroom practice with instructional coaching

  • 03

    Support Teaching Practice

    Offer ongoing professional development and instructional resources to improve teaching quality

  • 04

    Enhance Student Programs

    Implement tutoring, college readiness, and social-emotional support to boost student outcomes

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Academy For Urban School Leadership

Chicago Teacher Residency

Year-long training program that recruits and prepares diverse teachers with skills for urban classrooms

Teaching and Learning

Professional development and instructional support to improve teaching quality and student outcomes

Curricular Enhancements

Tutoring, social-emotional support, college readiness programs, arts and athletics for students

School Partnership Support

General operating support and resources for schools serving underinvested communities

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Academy For Urban School Leadership.

Adam Case

Adam Case

Executive Director, AUSL
Full-time
Robert E King

Robert E King

Salt Creek Ventures, LLC
5 hrs/week
Jennifer Chuang

Jennifer Chuang

Director
Lindsey Axel

Lindsey Axel

Bantam Capital
Drew Beres

Drew Beres

Partner, Croke Fairchild, Duarte & Beres
James E. Cowie

James E. Cowie

President & Chief Executive Officer, Collegis Education
Brian Doyal

Brian Doyal

Co-Head of Global Investment Banking, Robert W. Baird & Co.
Martin J. Koldyke

Martin J. Koldyke

Founder and Chair Emeritus, Golden Apple Founder and Chair Emeritus, AUSL
Liz Lefkofsky

Liz Lefkofsky

Lefkofsky Family Foundation
Arnie Rivera

Arnie Rivera

Chief Administrative & Equity Officer, Navy Pier
Cardelle Spangler

Cardelle Spangler

Chair, AUSL Managing Partner, Internal Affairs, Winston & Strawn LLP
Joseph Wise

Joseph Wise

Co-Founder, Acceleration Academies
DF

Donald Feinstein

Executive Director
Full-time
Compensation: $215,860
MW

Michael Whitmore

Managing Director, Teaching And Learning
Full-time
Compensation: $211,037
SC

Shane Caterino

Director Of External Affairs
Full-time
Compensation: $200,742
MM

Mary McKiernan

Chief People Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $150,769
SH

Shelby Hildreth

Chief Program Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $138,203
AJ

Amy Jackson

Chief Financial Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $132,635
AB

Antigone Blackwell

Senior Director, Major Gifts
Full-time
Compensation: $125,559
KP

Kathryn Peterson

Director, Chicago Teacher Residency
Full-time
Compensation: $118,518
US

Ulric Shannon

Director, Partner Engagement
Full-time
Compensation: $117,789
MG

Martin Green

General Manager Of Advisory Services
Full-time
Compensation: $182,019
CD

Christine Diaz

Leadership Development Partner
Full-time
Compensation: $111,523
MG

Munu Ghandi

Marketing/Communications C
1 hrs/week
AP

Anna Piepmeyer

Director
AM

Anthony Miller

Director
CC

Cheri Carter

Director
CG

Craig Goesel

Director
GW

Greg Wasson

Director
SP

Steve Pemberton

Director
ZA

Zaid Abdul-Aleem

Director

Milestones

2001

AUSL Founded

2001

Organization established to address education inequity in Chicago neighborhoods

2002

Tax-Exempt Status Granted

2002

Received IRS recognition as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

2018

Peak Revenue Reached

2018

Achieved highest annual revenue of $12.5 million supporting 77 employees

2023

Staff Expansion

2023

Grew to 118 employees with $10.4 million revenue serving more communities

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AP
Anna Piepmeyer Director 1.00 hrs/week
AM
Anthony Miller Director 0.25 hrs/week
BD
Brian Doyal Finance Committee Chair 5.00 hrs/week
CS
Cardelle Spangler Chair 1.50 hrs/week
CC
Cheri Carter Director 0.10 hrs/week
CG
Craig Goesel Director 0.50 hrs/week
GW
Greg Wasson Director 2.00 hrs/week
JJ
Jacqueline Jodl Advisory Services Co-Chair 2.00 hrs/week
JC
James Cowie Advisory Services Co-Chair 3.00 hrs/week
JC
Jennifer Chuang Director 1.00 hrs/week
LA
Lindsey Axel Vice Chair & Co-Chair Marketing And Communications 2.00 hrs/week
MK
Martin Koldyke Chair Emeritus 1.00 hrs/week
SP
Steve Pemberton Director 1.00 hrs/week
ZA
Zaid Abdul-Aleem Director 1.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$1.8M

Highest Paid

$219K

Michael Whitmore

Compensated Officers

11

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Michael Whitmore Managing Director, Teaching And Learning $211,037 $7,788 $218,825 40
Donald Feinstein Executive Director $215,860 $2,686 $218,546 40
Shane Caterino Director Of External Affairs $200,742 $2,518 $203,260 40
Martin Green General Manager Of Advisory Services $182,019 $8,189 $190,208 40
Mary Mckiernan Chief People Officer $150,769 $10,472 $161,241 40
Shelby Hildreth Chief Program Officer $138,203 $14,710 $152,913 40
Amy Jackson Chief Financial Officer $132,635 $11,392 $144,027 40
Antigone Blackwell Senior Director, Major Gifts $125,559 $14,102 $139,661 40
Kathryn Peterson Director, Chicago Teacher Residency $118,518 $14,089 $132,607 40
Ulric Shannon Director, Partner Engagement $117,789 $7,151 $124,940 40
Christine Diaz Leadership Development Partner $111,523 $2,421 $113,944 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$1.8M

Total Forgiven

$1.8M

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

100

Loan Details 2 loans

$898,500
Forgiven
Forgiven: $908,199 100%
Approved Apr 11, 2020
Lender BMO Bank National Association
Jobs Reported 50
Forgiven On May 20, 2021
$898,500
Forgiven
Forgiven: $908,667 100%
Approved Jan 30, 2021
Lender BMO Bank National Association
Jobs Reported 50
Forgiven On Mar 30, 2022

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$351K Grants Received
$96K Grants Given
3 Organizations

Top Funders

2 total
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$240K
TC
The Chicago Community Trust 2 grants
$111K

Top Grantees

1 total
CP
Chicago Public Schools CHICAGO, IL
$96K
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund The Chicago Community Trust Chicago Public Schools
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund The Chicago Community Trust Chicago Public Schools

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Academy For Urban School Leadership

Phone

(773) 534-0129

Social

Visit Website
Po Box 346165 Chicago, IL 606349998