Operation Breakthrough
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
-
Board Oversight
-
Board Size
-
Board Meetings
-
Board Compensation
-
Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
-
Effectiveness Policy
-
Effectiveness Report
Finances
-
Program Expenses
-
Fundraising Expenses
-
Accumulating Funds
-
Audit Report
-
Detailed Expense Breakdown
-
Accurate Expense Reporting
-
Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
-
Truthful Materials
-
Annual Report
-
Website Disclosures
-
Donor Privacy
-
Cause Marketing Disclosures
-
Complaints
Operation Breakthrough meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"To provide a safe, loving and educational environment for children in poverty and to empower their families through advocacy, emergency aid and education. Our vision is all children have the opportunity to achieve their full potential."
Year, State Incorporated:
1971, MO
Operation Breakthrough has served Kansas City families for more than 55 years. We support 750+ of Kansas Citys most vulnerable children and their 450 families, while reaching an additional 500+ students through school partnerships weekly. Our cradle-to-career programs include Early Care and Education, School Age before/afterschool and summer programs, Ignition Lab, Social Services, and Behavioral Health.
For the year ended October 31, 2025, Operation Breakthrough's program expenses were:
| Programs | $17,400,070 |
| Total Program Expenses | $17,400,070 |
Chief Executive
Mary Esselman, CEO
Chair of the Board
Richard Winston
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Fike Corporation
Board Size
20
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television, Grant proposals, Internet, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Membership appeals
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Operation Breakthrough's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended October 31, 2025.
Source of Funds
| Contributions and Grants | $11,266,760 |
| Federal Grants | $4,948,926 |
| Gain on Related Party Debt Forgiveness | $3,177,300 |
| Fundraising Income | $3,161,272 |
| School Age Programs and Transportation Fees | $2,885,991 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,437,349 |
| Miscellaneous Income | $950,411 |
| Rental Income | $61,831 |
| Loss on Disposal of Debt Issuance Costs | $-166,078 |
| Total Income | $27,723,762 |
Programs: 85% Fundraising: 5% Administrative: 10%
| Total Income | $27,723,762 |
| Total expenses: | $20,369,186 |
| Program expenses | $17,400,070 |
| Fundraising expenses | $1,022,682 |
| Administrative expenses | $1,946,434 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $7,354,576 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $39,167,638 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $46,522,214 |
| Total Liabilities | $1,307,649 |
| Total Assets | $47,829,863 |
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Meets Standards
-
Standards Not Met
-
Did Not Disclose
-
Review in Progress
-
Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB in Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas Plains & SW Iowa