activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Competitive and Learn-to-Swim Programs 6 activities
- Advocate for water safety education in public schoolsAdvocates for mandatory water safety education in all public schools (grades K-12) across New York State to reduce drowning and promote lifelong water safety awareness.
- Build capacity in international water safetyShares the Swim Strong model at global forums such as the World Conference on Drowning Prevention and establishes water safety partnerships in seven African countries to expand international impact.
- Conduct community outreach to promote swimming in communities of colorPartners with NAACP, churches, and civic groups to screen the film “A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim” and deliver water safety education, reaching approximately 2,500 people since 2019 to address cultural barriers and increase participation in swimming.
- Host free community water safety events and clinicsOrganizes free community events such as WaterPalooza and local clinics in New York City boroughs, offering swim lessons, CPR training, and water safety education to increase public access and engagement.
- Support pathways into swim teams, coaching, and water-related careersFacilitates participation in competitive swim teams, US Swimming, high school and college programs, and supports career development in lifeguarding, coaching, military service, and emergency response. Has supported over 3,000 participants in joining swim teams and helped more than 500 become certified lifeguards or swim coaches.
- Teach swimming and provide water safety educationOffers structured swim lessons for individuals aged 3 and up, including Learn to Swim, Get Ready Get Wet, and Competitive Stroke Enhancement classes, with skill-based placement and year-round sessions. Provides low or no-cost lessons to families in need and has taught over 12,200 people since 2007, including over 5,000 low-income students.
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Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Produce and distribute water safety educational materials and videosCreates and publishes water safety resources including videos such as “We Can No Longer Avoid Water,” downloadable infographics, and discussion guides designed for parents, schools, and community organizations to extend reach beyond in-person programming.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Deliver “Know Before You Go™” water safety education programsProvides water safety education through the “Know Before You Go™” program, delivered in person, remotely, or in hybrid formats using platforms like Zoom and Google Classroom. The program has reached over 104,000 students across 109 schools since 2018 and includes age-specific curricula, videos, and downloadable resources for schools and community groups.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$195K
Contributions & grants$136K70%
Program service revenue$55K28%
Investment income$4K2%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$167K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$90K
Grants paid out$524
balance sheet
Total assets$417K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$323K
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +17.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| shawn slevin | Executive Dir. | 40 | $83K |
board members · 4
- ANDREW ROBIN — BOARD MEMBER
- JACOB POSADA — BOARD MEMBER
- SHEVONNE BASCOMB — BOARD MEMBER
- denis venturino — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- Black Swimming Association of Britain Partner — Connected with during a global tour to build international water safety partnerships.
- City Experiences Partner — Corporate sponsor at the Swim Strong Supporter level.
- Ed Accura Partner — Collaborates on the film “A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim” to raise awareness about swimming in communities of color.
- Ed Accura Partner — Showcased “A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim” by British hip hop artist and activist Ed Accura in community outreach efforts.
- Ed Acura Partner — Collaborates on the documentary "A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim" to address cultural barriers to swimming in communities of color.
- Google Classroom Partner — Uses Google Classroom as a digital platform to deliver water safety education programs.
- Google Classroom Partner — Uses Google Classroom as a digital platform to deliver water safety education remotely.
- Greek Lifesaving Sports Association Partner — Listed as a club and membership partner.
- Joan N. and Norman Bluestone Foundation Funder — Corporate sponsor at the Swim Strong Supporter level.
- Laureus Sport for Good Partner — Corporate sponsor at the Swim Strong Champion level.
- NAACP Partner — Collaborated with NAACP groups to screen “A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim” as part of community water safety outreach.
- NAACP Partner — Collaborates with NAACP groups to deliver water safety education and film screenings.
- New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker Government — Presenting partner and participant in WaterPalooza 26, representing state government support.
- RW Genting Partner — Corporate sponsor at the Swim Strong Leader level.
- Rotary Club Partner — Listed as a club and membership partner.
- Rotary Club Partner — Met in person during a global tour to establish water safety partnerships and present the Swim Strong model.
- SGRho Queens 1922 Partner — Corporate sponsor at the Copper Sponsor level.
- Seven Roses Legacy Foundation Partner — Presenting partner for WaterPalooza 26, a community water safety and swim clinic event.
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Partner — Co-hosted free water safety events including WaterPalooza 26 and Water Safety Month events in NYC.
- Surfrider Foundation Partner — Collaborates with Surfrider Foundation on a joint petition to promote water safety education in New York public schools.
- USA Swimming Partner — Collaborates to encourage participation in swimming programs and competitions.
- USA Swimming Foundation Partner — Recipient of a 2025 grant from the USA Swimming Foundation.
- Zoom Partner — Uses Zoom as a digital platform to deliver water safety education programs.
- Zoom Partner — Uses Zoom as a digital platform to deliver water safety education remotely.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Equity-Focused Water Safety Outreachmethodology: equity-focused-outreachBy targeting water safety education and affordable programming to communities of color disproportionately affected by drowning, we reduce disparities in swimming participation and water safety outcomes, because addressing systemic inequities in access leads to more effective prevention in high-risk populations.
- Individualized Skill Development for Water Safetymethodology: individualized placementBy assessing and placing individuals according to their swimming ability, we ensure effective skill-building and safety education, because instruction matched to developmental level increases learning efficacy and confidence, reducing drowning risk.
- Life-Saving Swim Instruction with Competitive Pathwaymethodology: life-saving swim instruction with competitive pathwayBy teaching swimming as a life-saving skill and integrating it with competitive and community-based programs, we prevent drowning and promote sustained engagement in healthy lifestyles, because mastery and ongoing challenge increase long-term participation and personal development.
- STEM-Integrated Water Safety Educationmethodology: stem-integration-in-safety-educationBy integrating STEM-based learning into water safety instruction, we enhance engagement and understanding of water risks, because connecting scientific principles to practical skills strengthens decision-making and reinforces lifelong safety behaviors.