What does Council Of The Great City Schools do?

The organization see schedule o, page 43. Through targeted programs and services, it works to achieve measurable outcomes aligned with this core mission.

Who can access services?

Programs serve children, youth, and families within the community. Services are designed to be accessible and responsive to diverse needs and circumstances.

How is the organization funded?

With approximately $11.5 million in annual revenue, operations are supported through grants, donations, and program fees. Financial information is publicly available through IRS Form 990 filings.

How can someone get involved?

Community members can connect through the organization's website or contact the Washington, DC office. Opportunities may include volunteering, donations, or program participation.

Council Of The Great City Schools

Washington, DC · Founded 1961

National coalition advocating for urban public school districts and educational equity

Primary audience

Youth and families

Work area

Education

Topic

Education access

Contact

Raymond Hart

Website Contact

About Organization

Council of the Great City Schools is the primary advocacy organization for the largest urban public school districts in the United States. Founded in 1961 and based in Washington, DC, the council operates with $15.1 million in annual revenue and 40 employees, representing 78 school districts that educate over 8 million students.

What They Focus On

Academic Excellence

Delivering high-quality educational programs to develop knowledge and skills.

Student Success

Supporting learners through comprehensive services and individualized assistance.

Innovation

Advancing educational methods through research and technology integration.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2021)

$11.5M

+55.6% vs 2020

Expenses (2021)

$7.5M

+27.3% vs 2020

Assets (2021)

$17.4M

+9.4% vs 2020

Employees (2021)

-8% vs 2020

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2021	$11,483,932	$7,544,253	$17,392,524	23
2020	$7,382,134	$5,926,905	$15,898,076	25
2019	$6,844,016	$7,015,881	$12,485,830	23
2018	$8,063,996	$6,971,879	$12,257,251	25
2017	$5,852,856	$7,747,823	$10,732,468	25

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

01

Assess Needs

Identify educational gaps through community consultation and data analysis.
02

Design Programs

Develop evidence-based curricula tailored to participant needs and learning goals.
03

Implement Services

Deliver educational programs with qualified instructors and support resources.
04

Measure Impact

Evaluate outcomes and program effectiveness to inform continuous improvement.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Council Of The Great City Schools

Sponsorship

Grant-funded initiative supporting organizational mission and community needs.

Support Services

Comprehensive assistance programs addressing diverse community needs and priorities.

Support Services

Comprehensive assistance programs addressing diverse community needs and priorities.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Council Of The Great City Schools.

Denise Walston

Title: Chief of Curriculum/Director of Mathematics

Full-time

Compensation: $154,212

Robin Hall

Title: Chief of Schools

Full-time

Compensation: $152,682

Michael D Casserly

Title: Strategic Advisor

Full-time

Compensation: $395,580

Manish Naik

Title: Director of Legislative Services

Full-time

Compensation: $156,680

Michael Hinojosa

Title: Superintendent-in-Residence

1 hrs/week

Ray Hart

Title: Executive Director

Teri Trinidad

Title: Director of Administration, Finance, and Conferences

Alka Pateriya

Title: Director of Partnerships and Strategy

Alisa Adams

Title: Finance Manager

Delisa Nuñez

Title: Manager of Strategic Initiatives

Alexis Vann

Title: Conference Manager

Michell Yorkman

Title: Manager of Conferences and Partnerships

Gregory Bacon

Title: Conference Specialist

Olivia Shaw

Title: Operations Administrative Assistant

Marilyn Banks

Title: Administrative Assistant

Tonya Harris

Title: Director of Communications

Joanne Coley

Title: Communications Manager

Kalin Hicks

Title: Communications Specialist

Nicole Mancini

Title: Chief of Academics

Mary Lawson

Title: General Counsel

David Lai

Title: Director of English Language Learner Policy and Research

AJ Crabill

Title: Director of Governance

Cindy Elsbernd

Title: Manager of Governance Services

Willie T. Burroughs

Title: Director of Management Services

Robert Carlson

Title: Senior Advisor

Akisha Osei Sarfo

Title: Director of Research

Brian Garcia

Title: Research Manager

Chester Holland

Title: Research Manager

Amanda Corcoran

Title: Manager of Special Projects

Eric Vignola

Title: Manager of Software Engineering

Raymond Hart

Executive Director

Full-time

Compensation: $246,645

Jeffrey Simering

Director Of Legislation

Full-time

Compensation: $210,543

Teresita Trinidad

1961

Organization Founded

1961

Council Of The Great City Schools was established to address community needs and advance its mission.

1969

Leadership Development

1969

Strengthened governance with expanded board and executive team.

2019

Program Expansion

2019

Significant growth in organizational capacity and service delivery.

2021

Community Impact

2021

Demonstrated effectiveness through measurable program outcomes.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Al Velarde Director 1.00 hrs/week

Amy Kohnstamm Director 1.00 hrs/week

Angelique Peterson-Mayberry Director 1.00 hrs/week

Barbara Hillard Director 1.00 hrs/week

Barbara Jenkins Chair 2.00 hrs/week

Brandon Hershey Director 1.00 hrs/week

Carol Cook Director 1.00 hrs/week

Carrie Olson Director 1.00 hrs/week

Charlotte Joyce Director 1.00 hrs/week

Cheryl Burke Director 1.00 hrs/week

Cynthia Elliott Director 1.00 hrs/week

Darrel Woo Director 1.00 hrs/week

David Tatman Director 1.00 hrs/week

Debbie Gerkin Director 1.00 hrs/week

Denise Link Director 1.00 hrs/week

Diane Arnold Director 1.00 hrs/week

Diane Porter Director 1.00 hrs/week

Dwana Bradley Director 1.00 hrs/week

Elyse Dashew Director 1.00 hrs/week

Eric MacK Director 1.00 hrs/week

Gary Yee Director 1.00 hrs/week

Jacinto Ramos Jr Director 1.00 hrs/week

Jason Meadows Director 1.00 hrs/week

Jennifer Adair Director 1.00 hrs/week

Jim Vue Director 1.00 hrs/week

Joseph Sokolovic Director 1.00 hrs/week

Josephine Garcia Director 1.00 hrs/week

Joyce Roberts Director 1.00 hrs/week

Joyce Wilkerson Director 1.00 hrs/week

Kandace Buckner Director 1.00 hrs/week

Karla Garcia Director 1.00 hrs/week

Kecia Mays Director 1.00 hrs/week

Kelly Gonez Chair-Elect 2.00 hrs/week

Kevin Woods Director 1.00 hrs/week

Kinzel Thomas Director 1.00 hrs/week

Latisha Anderson Director 1.00 hrs/week

Laurie Rich Levinson Director 1.00 hrs/week

Lela Alston Director 1.00 hrs/week

Leslie Grant Director 1.00 hrs/week

Lola Brooks Director 1.00 hrs/week

Marcia Andrews Director 1.00 hrs/week

Margo Bellamy Director 1.00 hrs/week

Mark Sanchez Director 1.00 hrs/week

Marta Perez Director 1.00 hrs/week

Megan Kerr Director 1.00 hrs/week

Michael O'Neill Immediate Past Chair 2.00 hrs/week

Mike Morowski Director 1.00 hrs/week

Nadia Combs Director 1.00 hrs/week

Pattie Radle Director 1.00 hrs/week

Paula Lewis Director 1.00 hrs/week

Polly Taylor-Gerkin Director 1.00 hrs/week

Rachael Ann Elrod Director 1.00 hrs/week

Robert Peterson Director 1.00 hrs/week

Rodney Jordan Director 1.00 hrs/week

Ronald McFadden Director 1.00 hrs/week

Sendhil Revuluri Director 1.00 hrs/week

Sharon Belton-Cottman Director 1.00 hrs/week

Sharon Whitehurst-Payne Director 1.00 hrs/week

Shavonna Holman Director 1.00 hrs/week

Shonda Harris-Muhammed Director 1.00 hrs/week

Siad Ali Director 1.00 hrs/week

Stacey Woolley Director 1.00 hrs/week

Stan Reeser Director 1.00 hrs/week

Sylvia Wilson Director 1.00 hrs/week

Teresa Jacobs Director 1.00 hrs/week

Tyler Murphy Director 1.00 hrs/week

Valerie Amezcua Director 1.00 hrs/week

Valerie Davis Director 1.00 hrs/week

William Hite Jr Secretary/Treasurer 2.00 hrs/week

William Smith Director 1.00 hrs/week

Winston McGregor Director 1.00 hrs/week

Yolanda Montoya-Cordova 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 (2021)

$1.8M

Highest Paid

$524K

Michael D Casserly

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Michael D Casserly	Strategic Advisor	$395,580	$128,726	$524,306	40
Raymond Hart	Executive Director	$246,645	$54,417	$301,062	40
Jeffrey Simering	Director Of Legislation	$210,543	$41,474	$252,017	40
Teresita Trinidad	Director Of Finance/Administration	$190,093	$30,809	$220,902	40
Robin Hall	Chief Of Schools	$152,682	$38,744	$191,426	40
Manish Naik	Legislative Manager	$156,680	$18,390	$175,070	40
Denise Walston	Director Of Mathematics	$154,212	$9,675	$163,887	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Michael D Casserly	Executive Director	$477,904	$138,326	$616,230	40
Jeffrey Simering	Director Of Legislation	$202,047	$39,742	$241,789	40
Raymond Hart	Director Of Research	$188,963	$47,753	$236,716	40
Teresita Trinidad	Director Of Finance/Administration	$183,363	$26,901	$210,264	40
Robin Hall	Director Of Ela	$146,674	$36,359	$183,033	40
Manish Naik	Legislative Manager	$151,266	$17,342	$168,608	40
Denise Walston	Director Of Mathematics	$147,966	$9,174	$157,140	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Michael D Casserly	Executive Director	$422,616	$96,355	$518,971	40
Jeffrey Simering	Director Of Legislation	$200,242	$38,202	$238,444	40
Raymond Hart	Director Of Research	$190,371	$42,801	$233,172	40
Teresita Trinidad	Director Of Finance/Administration	$185,071	$23,753	$208,824	40
Robin Hall	Director Of Ela	$150,847	$34,158	$185,005	40
Manish Naik	Legislative Manager	$154,575	$16,714	$171,289	40
Denise Walston	Director Of Mathematics	$148,412	$9,039	$157,451	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Michael D Casserly	Executive Director	$392,392	$136,802	$529,194	40
Jeffrey Simering	Director Of Legislation	$185,984	$36,428	$222,412	40
Raymond Hart	Director Of Research	$177,663	$37,432	$215,095	40
Teresita Trinidad	Director Of Finance/Administration	$172,679	$24,205	$196,884	40
Henry Duvall	Director Of Communications	$152,682	$34,763	$187,445	40
Robin Hall	Director Of Ela	$142,901	$31,450	$174,351	40
Denise Walston	Director Of Mathematics	$139,182	$8,597	$147,779	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Michael D Casserly	Executive Director	$381,429	$98,902	$480,331	40
Jeffrey Simering	Director Of Legislation	$183,631	$36,783	$220,414	40
Raymond Hart	Director Of Research	$172,385	$37,494	$209,879	40
Teresita Trinidad	Director Of Finance/Administration	$166,705	$25,565	$192,270	40
Henry Duvall	Director Of Communications	$148,480	$35,025	$183,505	40
Robin Hall	Director Of Ela	$140,007	$31,013	$171,020	40
Denise Walston	Director Of Mathematics	$135,749	$8,471	$144,220	40

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

Individual Political Donors

People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns

$30 Total Given

Democratic $30 (100%)

3 Contributions

$10 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

1 Individual Donor

Denise Walston 3 contributions • $10 avg

$30

Quick Insights

🏆

Most Active Donor Denise Walston with 3 contributions

💰

Highest Avg per Contribution Denise Walston at $10 each

🎯

Top Recipient NANCY PELOSI FOR CONGRESS — $30

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$48K Grants Received

2 Organizations

Top Funders

2 total

Greater Houston Community Foundation

$28K

College Board

$20K

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

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying

2 Registrations

1 Client

Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 1 total

Council Of The Great City Schools

2 filings

Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with Council Of The Great City Schools

Phone

(202) 393-2427

Social

Visit Website

1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW 1100n Washington, DC 20004

Council Of The Great City Schools

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Assess Needs

Design Programs

Implement Services

Measure Impact

Programs and Initiatives

Sponsorship

Support Services

Support Services

Team & Leadership

Denise Walston

Robin Hall

Michael D Casserly

Manish Naik

Michael Hinojosa

Ray Hart

Teri Trinidad

Alka Pateriya

Alisa Adams

Delisa Nuñez

Alexis Vann

Michell Yorkman

Gregory Bacon

Olivia Shaw

Marilyn Banks

Tonya Harris

Joanne Coley

Kalin Hicks

Nicole Mancini

Mary Lawson

David Lai

AJ Crabill

Cindy Elsbernd

Willie T. Burroughs

Robert Carlson

Akisha Osei Sarfo

Brian Garcia

Chester Holland

Amanda Corcoran

Eric Vignola

Raymond Hart

Jeffrey Simering

Teresita Trinidad

Addison Davis

Adrienne Batle

Alberto Carvalho

Aleesia Johnson

Alex Marrero

Alicia Thompson

Brenda Cassellius

Brent Jones

Chad Getson

Cheryl Logan

Colleen Russell-Rawlins

David Banks

Deborah Gist

Deena Bishop

Diana Greene

Diana Sayavedra

Donald Kennedy

Earnest Winston

Ed Graff

Eligio Hernandez Perez

Elizabeth Lolli

Eric Gordon

Errick Greene

Guadalupe Guerrero

Henderson Lewis Jr

Jason Kamras

Javier Montanez

Jerry Almendarez

Jesus Jara

Jill Baker

Joe Gothard

Jorge Aguilar

Joris Ray

Jose Dotres