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

FORUM FOR CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 471811249 · Form 990 · FY2025 · NTEE A23 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · fcengage.org
revenue
$724K
expenses
$731K
net assets
$387K
employees
3
volunteers
3
program ratio
82%
mission · from form 990

SEE PART III, LINE 1.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Forum for Cultural Engagement (FCE) is a cultural diplomacy organization founded by singer-songwriter Mary McBride in 2014. It produces interdisciplinary programs that connect artists and thinkers with social and cultural organizations globally to foster human connection and positive social change. FCE operates through live music initiatives and cross-sector partnerships in underserved and high-conflict communities.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Flash Acts
Pop-up performances in high-visibility public spaces to engage communities in unexpected cultural experiences.
Frame Work
Interdisciplinary program integrating art, music, and storytelling to address social challenges and build community resilience.
Shelter Sounds
Cultural program connecting artists with shelter residents to reduce isolation and promote healing through music and performance.
Shop Talks
Dialogue-based events pairing artists and thinkers in public forums to discuss cultural and social issues.
The Home Tour
Live music initiative that brings concerts to long-term healthcare centers, homeless shelters, veterans facilities, and prisons in partnership with over 100 social service organizations worldwide.
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Live Music Performances for Seniors and Isolated Populations 1 activity
    • Operating The Home Tour concert program
      Delivers live music concerts to long-term health care centers, veterans facilities, homeless shelters, supported housing, mental health facilities, and prisons in partnership with over 100 social service organizations worldwide through The Home Tour program.
  • Community-Engaged Public Art Projects 1 activity
    • Producing interdisciplinary cultural programming
      Creates and produces global, interdisciplinary cultural programs such as Shelter Sounds, Shop Talks, Flash Acts, and Frame Work since 2014, connecting artists and thinkers with social and cultural organizations to advance positive social change.
  • Music Therapy for Ill and Vulnerable Populations 1 activity
    • Running youth music and leadership programs
      Oversaw a music and leadership program for young people recovering from trauma and mental illness in coordination with the CT Mental Health Center and the Yale School of Psychiatry between 2012 and 2014.
  • Cultural Exchange and Mutual Understanding Programs 1 activity
    • Supporting cultural diplomacy and exchange
      Supports sustainable cultural diplomacy and exchange programs that build bridges between the United States and countries worldwide.
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$724K
Contributions & grants$537K74%
Program service revenue$187K26%
Investment income$630%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$731K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$252K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$399K
Cash$133K
Investments$0
Liabilities$12K
Net assets$387K
Liquid reserves2.2 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -41.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARY MCBRIDE PRESIDENT 40 $134K
board members · 3
  • ALEXANDRA WARREN — TREASURER
  • AMANDA CHARLTON — SECRETARY
  • KAREN FRIEDMAN — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 8

Who they work with

  • Adam Partner — Contact person for partnership inquiries at FCE
  • CT Mental Health Center Partner — Coordinated a music and leadership program for youth recovering from trauma and mental illness.
  • NGOs Partner — Partners with NGOs to advance cultural diplomacy and social change
  • Yale School of Psychiatry Partner — Coordinated a music and leadership program for youth recovering from trauma and mental illness.
  • academic institutions Partner — Collaborates with academic institutions on cultural engagement initiatives
  • corporations Partner — Partners with corporations to support interdisciplinary cultural programming
  • cultural organizations Partner — Works with cultural organizations to produce joint programming
  • embassies Partner — Collaborates with embassies on cultural diplomacy programming
strategies · 2

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 Diplomacy Through Collaborative Programming
    methodology: cultural_diplomacy_through_collaborative_programming
    By co-creating programs with diplomatic, academic, cultural, and nonprofit institutions, we build mutual understanding and reduce conflict and isolation, because shared creative experiences foster trust and humanize cross-cultural narratives.
  • Music as a Tool for Community Engagement
    methodology: music-for-community-engagement
    By bringing live music into institutional and care settings, we inspire connection and engagement within isolated communities, because shared musical experiences create emotional resonance and lower social barriers to participation.