named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Crafting Stories
Hands-on storytelling workshop combining crafts like bookbinding, weaving, and clay modeling with narrative development
Kandi Bracelets
Workshop teaching youth to make colorful beaded bracelets as a form of creative expression
Poetry Outside
Outdoor poetry adventure program meeting at P.S. 187 and exploring Fort Tryon Park
Snobby Poetry
Poetry workshop for self-motivated young writers focusing on observation, expression, and literary tradition
Students of the Sidewalk
Student-run publication project at Columbia Secondary School featuring journalism and creative writing
Untold Uptown
Youth collective using storytelling to address important issues across New York City
Uptown Ink
Digital magazine featuring fiction, poetry, essays, comics, and news written by students
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Youth Writing Contests & Recognition Programs 2 activities
- Creative writing workshops for youthOffers after-school, weekend, and summer creative writing workshops for children and youth ages 8 to 18 in Upper Manhattan, including specialized workshops in poetry, personal essays, fairy tales, myths and fables, screenwriting, and game design, taught by professional authors and artists. Programs run seasonally and use a Pay-What-You-Can Tuition model to ensure accessibility.
- School-based and in-school writing programsProvides in-school creative writing instruction and after-school enrichment programs as a registered vendor with the New York City Department of Education, including a student publication project at Columbia Secondary School and partnerships with schools like Amistad Dual Language School.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Storytelling through hands-on craftsOffers hands-on storytelling workshops that integrate tactile arts such as bookbinding, weaving, paper sculptures, clay modeling, and kandi bracelet-making to help youth create narrative worlds through craft. These workshops are offered during after-school hours and special sessions.
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Youth-Led Student Publications 1 activity
- Youth publication and anthology productionProduces and publishes student writing through printed anthologies and Uptown Ink, a digital magazine featuring fiction, poetry, essays, comics, and news by students. Each workshop concludes with a celebratory reading and a published anthology, making all participating students published authors.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth writing collectives and leadership developmentSupports youth collectives that use writing and voice to address citywide issues and fosters leadership development by transitioning former students into teaching roles, such as leading their own workshops or teaching kandi bracelet-making classes.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$816K
Contributions & grants$261K32%
Program service revenue$554K68%
Investment income$6920%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$743K
Program expenses62%
Admin / overhead25%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$596K
Grants paid out$259
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$474K
Cash$211K
Investments$0
Liabilities$39K
Net assets$434K
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +45.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHERINE REUTHER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $86K |
| JOSHUA JOHNSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $7K |
| GRAYDON HANSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $1K |
board members · 6
- CHRISTIAN MACLANE — BOARD TREASURER
- GLORIA BARONE ROSANIO — BOARD MEMBER
- JENNIFER MOTA — BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
- KRISTEN PELOQUIN — BOARD MEMBER - RESIGNED ON 6/16/2025
- STAN BRIMBERG — BOARD SECRETARY
- TED ALTSCHULER — BOARD PRESIDENT
relationships · 36
Who they work with
- A Sign of Success Partner — Collaborates with Uptown Stories on youth development initiatives.
- Amistad Dual Language School Partner — Uptown Stories provides creative expression programming at this school.
- Bank Street School For Children Partner — Collaborates with Uptown Stories in educational programming.
- Brooklyn College Partner — Collaborates on the TRiO Brooklyn College Summer '25 writing program for youth.
- Buunni Coffee Partner — Local business partner supporting Uptown Stories.
- Cabrini Immigrant Services NYC Partner — Partner organization serving immigrant communities.
- Columbia Secondary School Partner — Collaborates with Uptown Stories on a student publication project.
- Columbia Secondary School Partner — School partner for Uptown Stories' workshops.
- Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation Funder — Supports Uptown Stories through financial contributions.
- Cornerstone Center Partner — Community partner for Uptown Stories' programming.
- Early RAPP Partner — Collaborates with Uptown Stories on youth programs.
- Find Your Light Foundation Funder — Provides funding support for Uptown Stories' programs.
- Gregorio Luperon High School for Science and Mathematics Partner — Educational partner for Uptown Stories' youth writing programs.
- HEIGHTSIGHTS Partner — Community events partner collaborating with Uptown Stories.
- Harbor Heights Partner — Partner in Uptown Stories' programming.
- Harlem Stage Partner — Raymundo has taught and engaged with community programs and projects through Harlem Stage.
- Hudson Cliffs Partner — Partner organization supporting Uptown Stories' initiatives.
- Le Cheile NYC Partner — Partner organization supporting youth and community programs.
- Leon Levy Foundation Funder — Provides financial support to Uptown Stories.
- Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine Government — Provides discretionary government funding to support Uptown Stories.
- Medical Center Neighborhood Fund Funder — Provides neighborhood-based funding from Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
- Muscota New School Partner — School-based partner for creative writing workshops.
- NY State Senator Robert Jackson Government — Provides state-level government funding support.
- NYC City Council Discretionary Funding Carmen De La Rosa Government — Provides city council discretionary funding to Uptown Stories.
- NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Government — Government funder supporting Uptown Stories' cultural programming.
- New York City Department of Education Government — Registered vendor providing in-school programming.
- PS 187 Partner — Hosts Uptown Stories workshops at its Ft. Tryon location.
- Publicolor Partner — Raymundo has taught and engaged with community programs and projects through Publicolor.
- SONYC Partner — Partner organization working with Uptown Stories.
- Shamie Cuthbert Partner — Lead teacher for the Game Masters workshop
+ 6 more
strategies · 3
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.
- Engaging, Process-Based Pedagogymethodology: engaging_pedagogyBy teaching writing through playful, interactive methods and a structured process of drafting, revision, and peer feedback, we build both technical skill and intrinsic motivation, because enjoyable, collaborative learning increases engagement and mastery more effectively than rigid academic instruction.
- Equitable Access Through Flexible Tuitionmethodology: pay-what-you-canBy using a Pay-What-You-Can tuition model, we increase accessibility and ensure participation across economic backgrounds, because removing financial barriers without stigma enables broader, more diverse engagement in youth writing programs.
- Youth Empowerment Through Storytellingmethodology: storytelling-for-empowermentBy supporting young people in authoring their own narratives through creative writing and storytelling, we foster self-expression, personal agency, and development, because owning one's story builds confidence, voice, and a sense of belonging.