Annual
Report
FY 2022

Mission & Vision

Communities In Schools’ mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

We envision a community where every child and family thrives and is positioned for positive economic mobility.

Message from the CEO

I am pleased to share our Annual Report for the 2021-22 school year. Last year marked our 37th year of providing critical services to students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Our North Star remains constant: ensure that all students are able to realize their full potential and have equal opportunities for success. After two years of serving as President and CEO of Communities In Schools, I am still taken aback by the immense need in our community. I am also exceedingly impressed by the generous support that CIS receives from individual donors, corporations, faith organizations and from the Charlotte community at large. I am extremely grateful and humbled to lead an organization that impacts thousands of youth each day.

As I reflect upon our many accomplishments, I’d like to highlight the following:

CIS provided individualized case management services to 5,360 students in 2021-22; this is up from 4,700 the prior year. This increase is due, in large part, to the generosity of donors like you. Because of your support, we were able to add more direct service positions and thus serve more students.
We resumed in-person College and Career Readiness opportunities in 2021-22. We conducted multiple campus tours, college fairs, and career showcases. Our team provided enhanced support and guidance through College Admissions 101 Sessions, ACT/SAT Prep, and assistance with admissions, financial aid, and scholarship applications. We also focused on Professional Development Workshops (Financial Literacy, Resume Writing, Interviewing, etc.). As a result, of the 383 CIS Seniors that graduated in June, 84% indicated plans to attend college and 15% planned to enter an apprenticeship, the military, or the workforce.

As CIS looks towards meeting the increased need in 2023, we are encouraged by new partnerships, innovative pilots, and the steadfast support of our donors and stakeholders. Thank you for your continued support of our work and for joining us in our efforts to remove the barriers to learning for CIS students.

Men Tchaas Ari, President and CEO

Our Commitment to Educational Equity

"CIS believes that race, socioeconomic status or the neighborhood in which one lives should not predicate student outcomes. Ensuring that all students have equitable school experiences and opportunities is foundational to our mission, and infused in everything we do. CIS-Charlotte is committed to examining the systemic inequities inherent in our education system and leading the way to find solutions so that all students will have an equitable education and the same opportunities to achieve success."

– Men Tchaas Ari, President and CEO

Advocating for Educational Equity

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Who We Serve - Student Demographics

During the 2021-22 school year, CIS provided targeted case-management services to 5,360 students in 55 CMS schools, identified as Title 1 schools and/or with high percentages of students from low-income households.

Income

Of those CIS families who disclosed their income, 70% reported an annual income of less than $35,000.

Earn < $15K	35.5%
Earn $15K - $35K	35%
Earn $35 - $50	16.5%
Earn > $50K	16.5%

Ethnicity

89% of CIS students identify as either Black or Latinx.

Black	60%
Hispanic	29%
White	4%
Asian	3%
Multi-Racial	3%
Not Listed	1%

CMS Schools Currently Served by CIS

Elementary Schools

PK-8 Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

* Only our Safe Journey (teen parents) program is offered at these two high schools.

How We Serve

CIS places full-time, trained professionals – our Site Coordinators – inside schools to connect students to resources and relationships they need to be successful inside and outside the classroom. Site Coordinators help identify and overcome roadblocks in students’ way, ensuring they have equitable opportunities and support to achieve their full potential.

CIS Services by Category in FY 2021-22

Specialized Interventions

In addition to our targeted case management services for students in grades K-12, CIS-Charlotte provides the following programs that address specific challenges of youth in our community:

Safe Journey

is a program for teen parents and their children ages birth to five. The goal is to assist teen parents in completing high school and delay additional pregnancies, while strengthening their parenting skills and connections with their children, families and community.

TRiO Talent Search

is a federally funded program providing college access/admissions support to students from
low-income backgrounds and/or who are first generation in their family to attend college.

Newcomer Services

provides support and resources for recently arrived immigrant/refugee/ELL (English Language Learner) students, many of whom have experienced trauma and extreme emotional/physical situations.

Program Outcomes

students received targeted case-management services in 55 CMS schools.

additional students received broad, school-wide services.

0 %

of CIS students stayed in school.

0 %

were promoted to the next grade.

0 %

of CIS students achieved or made progress towards their identified academic, attendance, behavior, and/or SEL goals.

0 %

were not chronically absent.* (“chronically absent” is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year)

(99%) CIS seniors graduated.
84% of CIS graduates plan to attend a 2-4 year college or university.
15% of CIS graduates plan to join the military, an apprenticeship program or workforce.

of CIS students stayed in school.

0 +

partner companies, groups, and individuals donated time or resources.

Financial Summary

July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022‡

Financial Support by Source

Individuals/Family Foundations*	6,690,162
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	2,212,643
Federal Government**	1,197,925
Mecklenburg County	931,204
Private Foundations	814,129
Corporations/Organizations	751,478
State of North Carolina	435,000
Charlotte Merchants Foundation	400,000
Religious Organizations/Civic Groups	125,153
Total**	$13,557,694

Functional Expenses

89% of CIS students identify as either Black or Latinx.

Program Services	7,125,608
Management/General	621,547
Fundraising	606,188
Total**	$8,353,343

‡Based on 990 prepared by C. DeWitt Foard and Company.
*Includes $5 million gift from MacKenzie Scott
**Contains PPP Loan Forgiveness

"No child chooses their circumstances, but every child has potential. It is up to us, as a community, to remove barriers, remove obstacles, in order that that child can thrive. My husband and I remain committed to Communities In Schools because it works."

– DeeDee Dalrymple, longtime donor and former Board member