Financials

We believe financial transparency and accountability are critical and want you to be assured that your donation is being put to the best possible use. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, please send us an email at finance@making-waves.org and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.

Financials At A Glance

In Fiscal Year 2025

In Fiscal Year 2025, we had total cash inflows of $15.4M. We fundraised $12M and brought in $3.5M in other revenue.

In Fiscal Year 2025, we invested $15.8M. $7.8M on Programs, Scholarship and Operations, $2.4M on Making Waves Academy Campus Maintenance, and $5.5M on Making Waves Academy Campus Debt Service and Operations for Other Real Estate holdings.

Note: FY25 figures are unaudited.

Allocation of expenses, 85% program Services $13.4 million; 11% Management / Administration $1.7 million; 5% Fundraising $0.8 million
80% Real Estate Assets The vast majority of our assets are real estate assets because we own Making Waves Academy’s middle and high school campus which is a hub for community building, learning, and extracurriculars. We serve as the landlord and maintain the campus facilities. 20% other assets

Making Waves Impact Report

For more than three decades, Making Waves Academy and Making Waves Education Foundation have worked together to open doors of opportunity for young people — helping them excel in school, succeed in college, and graduate without debt. Now, we need to go further. A college degree still matters, but it is no longer enough on its own. In an increasingly fast-changing economy, young people need pathways that connect their education to careers with strong wages, growth potential, and purpose.

Guided by this shared vision, we are reimagining what it means to prepare students for the future. Together, we are creating pathways that blur the lines between high school, college, and career:

  • Connecting rigorous college prep academics with work-based learning experiences.
  • Developing students’ social capital networks.
  • Building the professional skills students need to land strong first jobs and thrive in the workplace.

Together, we are reimagining what it means to prepare Making Waves Academy students and students across Contra Costa County for the future, ensuring they have both the education and the experience to achieve economic mobility and fulfilling lives.

Learn more in our 2024-25 Making Waves Impact Report!

Most Wave-Makers graduate debt-free
Your donation supports students
We are committed to equity