COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

TROPICALFETE INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 452940435 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A25 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · tropicalfete.com
revenue
$412K
expenses
$402K
net assets
$87K
employees
3
program ratio
68%
mission · from form 990

ESTABLISHED IN 1999 AS AN ONLINE PUBLICATION AMP CULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER. IN 2011 TROPICALFETE BECAME A NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION AND AIMS TO DEVELOP THE COMMUNITY IN THE AREA OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SERVICES WITH THE FOCUS ON EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON CARIBBEAN CULTURE.

profile · synthesized from sources

Tropicalfete Inc. is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving and advancing Caribbean arts and culture through community programming. The organization offers cultural arts education, performances, and events for youth, seniors, and families, with a focus on steel pan, stiltwalking, dance, and theater. It hosts annual festivals in Brooklyn and Times Square, provides scholarships to young artists, and partners with schools and community centers to promote cultural equity and artistic development.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $78K
    SENIOR CULTURAL PROGRAMMING REFERS TO ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR OLDER ADULTS THAT SUPPORT SOCIAL CONNECTION LIFELONG LEARNING CREATIVITY AND WELL-BEING THROUGH ARTS HERITAGE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. REDUCES SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS / SUPPORTS MENTAL STIMULATION AND COGNITIVE HEALTH / ENCOURAGES PHYSICAL MOVEMENT AND EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION / HONORS SENIORS LIFE EXPERIENCE TRADITIONS AND IDENTITIES / BUILDS A STRONGER SENSE OF COMMUNITY BELONGING
  2. #2 $50K
    HISTORICAL CULTURAL PRESENTATION PROGRAMS IS AN EDUCATIONAL EVENT OR ACTIVITY DESIGNED TO SHOWCASE THE HISTORY TRADITIONS VALUES AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF A PARTICULAR COUNTRY COMMUNITY OR TIME PERIOD. THE PROGRAM TYPICALLY COMBINES INFORMATIVE CONTENT WITH CREATIVE ELEMENTS TO MAKE LEARNING ENGAGING AND MEMORABLE.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Authors Connecting Cultural Reading Program
Month-long program celebrating Caribbean American heritage through literature and reading events
Caribbean Pop-Up Carnival
Annual free public festival in Times Square and Brooklyn celebrating Caribbean heritage through music, dance, mas, and steel pan performances
Scholarship and Youth Award Program
Recognizes and supports outstanding young artists in Tropicalfete’s programs with scholarships and public recognition
Spring and Summer Cultural Arts Classes
Instruction in steel pan, stiltwalking, dance, theater, yoga, and music production for children and adults
The Finale: A Cultural Gift for the Community
Annual year-end celebration featuring performances by ensembles, tribute to cultural practitioners, and award presentations
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Art Appreciation and Public Engagement 1 activity
    • Distributes educational and cultural resources to the community
      Produces and publishes informational content on Caribbean arts, culture, and the role of arts in education and economic development, while operating a family portal for class registration and program access, and accepting and distributing donated musical instruments to support artists and educational initiatives.
  • Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 1 activity
    • Hosts annual holiday and tribute productions celebrating Caribbean arts
      Stages annual performances that combine Caribbean music, dance, theater, and visual arts, including tributes to deceased cultural practitioners and recognition of new artistic members, culminating in events such as "The Finale: A Cultural Gift for the Community" and holiday productions.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Organizes cultural festivals and public celebrations of Caribbean heritage
      Hosts annual events such as the Caribbean Pop-Up Carnival in Times Square and the Carnival Festival in Brooklyn, featuring live music, dance, stilt walking, steel pan performances, masquerade, and cultural displays to celebrate and promote Caribbean arts and traditions. These festivals include tributes to cultural figures and are presented as community-wide celebrations of Caribbean American heritage.
  • Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
    • Produces literary and author engagement programs
      Organizes the Authors Connecting Cultural Reading Program and a multi-event literary series that connect published and emerging Caribbean-American authors through live interviews, community conversations, and public readings, presented annually as part of Caribbean American Heritage Month.
  • Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
    • Provides cultural arts education and classes for children and adults
      Offers ongoing cultural arts instruction in disciplines including steel pan, stiltwalking, piano, violin, guitar, drum set, singing, dance, theater, yoga, and music production for both youth and adults, with classes held weekly and at community partner sites such as schools and libraries. Programs include ensemble participation and are available in spring and holiday seasons.
  • Financial Literacy Education Programs 1 activity
    • Provides financial empowerment programming for creatives and communities
      Conducts workshops and panel discussions on financial literacy, budgeting, saving, and access to capital as part of community events such as the Mas at Chase series in Brooklyn, integrating financial education with cultural programming to support artists and local entrepreneurs.
  • Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
    • Supports emerging Caribbean artists through mentorship and professional development
      Provides capacity-building opportunities for emerging artists across visual arts, music, dance, theater, film, fashion, and new media through mentorship, workshops, and performance platforms, including a music law workshop to provide industry insights.
  • Senior Social & Enrichment Programming 1 activity
    • Supports seniors through cultural and wellness programming
      Provides targeted cultural enrichment, live skill support, and wellness activities for older adults, including weekly yoga classes and participation in cultural events, to promote social connection, lifelong learning, and well-being through Caribbean arts and heritage.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$412K
Contributions & grants$346K84%
Program service revenue$65K16%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$774
expenses
Total expenses$402K
Program expenses68%
Admin / overhead32%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$29K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$284K
Cash$9K
Investments$0
Liabilities$198K
Net assets$87K
Liquid reserves0.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +2.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
ALTON AIMABLE COMMUNITY CULTURAL LEADER ACCOUNT 40 $14K
board members · 6
  • KATHERINE V CHARLES — BOARD MEMBER
  • KEITH MARCELLE — CHAIRMAN
  • KERAN DETERVILLE — FINANCE OFFICER/ARTIST
  • PATRICIA MESCHINO — SECRETARY
  • PAUL DOLOR — BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST AND
  • ZOE FARRELL — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 24

Who they work with

  • Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso Government — Provided a citation to honoree Keith Marcelle for his contributions to steel pan culture in Brooklyn.
  • Brooklyn Public Library Partner — Co-hosted a celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month.
  • Brooklyn Public Library Partner — Co-hosted the 2026 Carnival Festival at the Central Branch location.
  • Brooklyn Public Library Partner — Collaborates with Tropicalfete on the annual Carnival Festival.
  • Brooklyn Public Library Partner — Collaborates with Tropicalfete, Inc. on the Authors Connecting Cultural Reading Program.
  • Brooklyn, NY community schools Partner — Hosts classes at local schools as part of community outreach.
  • Brooklyn, NY public libraries Partner — Conducts classes at public library locations.
  • Chase Bank Partner — Collaborated to bring Caribbean culture and financial empowerment to Brooklyn.
  • Chase Bank Partner — Collaborated with Chase Bank to host the Mas at Chase series of cultural and financial empowerment events in Brooklyn.
  • Chase Bank Partner — Collaborates with Tropicalfete to bring Caribbean culture and financial empowerment programming to Brooklyn.
  • Council Member Chris Banks Government — Attended the 2026 Carnival Festival and delivered remarks recognizing Tropicalfete's cultural contributions.
  • Council Member Farah N. Louis Government — Attended the 2026 Carnival Festival as a distinguished community leader.
  • Council Member Rita Joseph Government — Attended the 2026 Carnival Festival as a distinguished community leader.
  • Katherine V. Charles Partner — Board member contributing to organizational governance and leadership
  • Keran Deterville Partner — Board member contributing to organizational governance and leadership
  • La Perspectiva Parranda Partner — Collaborates with La Perspectiva Parranda to present Parang music as part of its cultural event.
  • New York City Council Members Chris Banks, Rita Joseph, Farah N. Louis, Crystal Hudson Government — Provided citations to scholarship recipients and outstanding staff at Tropicalfete, Inc.
  • New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams Government — Attended the 2026 Carnival Festival as a distinguished elected official.
  • New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud Government — Sent a representative to attend the 2026 Carnival Festival.
  • Patricia Meschino Partner — Board member contributing to organizational governance and leadership
  • Paul Dolor Partner — Board member contributing to organizational governance and leadership
  • Petal Harrigain Partner — Board member contributing to organizational governance and leadership
  • Zoe Farrel Partner — Board member contributing to organizational governance and leadership
  • info@tropicalfete.com Partner — Primary contact email for coordinating instrument donations.
strategies · 5

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.

  • Cultural Arts as a Vehicle for Social and Community Development
    methodology: arts-for-social-change
    By using Caribbean arts and cultural programming as a central medium, we advance community development, inspire youth engagement, and foster social transformation, because cultural pride and creative expression create pathways for inclusion, healing, and civic participation.
  • Culturally Grounded Therapeutic Engagement for Neurodiverse Youth
    methodology: cultural_engagement_therapeutic_model
    By combining autism expertise and scientific research with immersive cultural activities, we support healing, socialization, and self-expression, because culturally meaningful participation enhances engagement and outcomes for neurodiverse individuals.
  • Equitable Access Through Financial and Inclusive Program Design
    methodology: sliding_scale_access
    By offering sliding-scale fees, free programs, and individualized support planning, we ensure equitable access to arts education, because removing financial and ability-based barriers enables broader participation and inclusion across diverse communities.
  • Integration of STEM and Cultural Programming to Enhance Learning
    methodology: stem_and_culture_integration
    By integrating STEM education with Caribbean cultural arts, we promote academic engagement and learning through diversity, because connecting technical education to cultural identity increases relevance and retention for youth.
  • Intergenerational Cultural Transmission Through Arts Education
    methodology: intergenerational-cultural-pride
    By engaging participants across generations in hands-on cultural arts training, we preserve Caribbean heritage and build cultural pride, because intergenerational learning strengthens identity and ensures continuity of traditions.