irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $379KCREATIVE ARTS REBUILD
- #2 $279KPOSITIVE YOUTH TROUPE THEATER PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE TRAINING FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS THROUGH SUMMER WORKSHOPS AND AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES IN ACTING, IMPROVIZATION, AND MUSICAL THEATER AND PUBLIC PERFORMANCES. MORE THAN 30 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE ANNUALLY.
named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Folk Culture Program
Free internship program for ages 14–21 that trains youth to research, document, and present folk traditions through media and storytelling; includes summer intensive and school-year continuation.
Dance Department
Offers sequential training in ballet, modern, tap, hip-hop, West African dance, and acro for ages 3.5 to adult, including performance opportunities and a Dance Merit Scholarship Program for ages 10–18.
Martial Arts Program
Goju Ryu Karate instruction for ages 5–18 focusing on discipline, respect, physical control, and belt advancement; includes annual showcase.
Music Department
Provides private and group instruction in piano, voice, strings, brass, woodwinds, and drums for ages 4 and up; includes Stage Band for advanced students ages 11–18.
Positive Youth Troupe (PYT) Theater Program
Free theater program for ages 14–21+ offering training in acting, improvisation, musical theater, and public performances; includes stipends for participants.
Production Corps
Paid summer training program for ages 16–21 in backstage technical skills including lighting, sound, set design, and stage management for performing arts events.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program
Free full-day pre-K program for 18 children, offered under contract with the NYC Department of Education; serves families in the Bronx.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 2 activities
- Free theater training and public performance program for youthProvides free theater training through after-school and summer workshops in acting, improvisation, musical theater, and audition techniques, culminating in real production experience and public performances for over 30 students annually.
- Youth theater program with stipends focused on life skills developmentOperates a free theater program for youth aged 14–21+ that includes stipends and emphasizes life skills development through creative expression, training in theater arts, and public performance opportunities.
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Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
- Arts education for over 750 students annuallyDelivers arts education programs across disciplines to more than 750 students each year, including theater, dance, music, and cultural documentation, with free and subsidized access.
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Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
- Arts instruction through professional artist-facultyProvides high-quality, rigorous arts instruction in dance, theater, and music through expert musicians, dancers, and actors who serve as dedicated coaches, offering structured training in technique, tradition, and performance across disciplines.
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Youth Workforce Readiness Programs 1 activity
- Career exploration program in technical productionOffers a career exploration program for teens and young adults that provides paid training and hands-on experience in technical production and event design through involvement in the organization’s public events.
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Dance Performance and Community Engagement 1 activity
- Dance Ensemble community performancesFeatures the Dance Ensemble in annual community events, festivals, and citywide celebrations, providing students with regular performance opportunities as part of their training.
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Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
- Folk culture internship program for youthRuns a six-week summer intensive internship program in folk culture, with school-year continuation opportunities, where youth document and share traditional and folk artists through media production, interviews, and archiving; free participation with stipends available for qualifying youth.
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Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
- Free pre-kindergarten program under contract with NYC Department of EducationOffers free full-day pre-kindergarten services to 18 children annually under contract with the NYC Department of Education, expanding access to early childhood education as part of its facility growth and programming development since 2014.
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Martial Arts Instruction and Training 1 activity
- Goju Ryu Karate training for youthProvides structured Goju Ryu Karate instruction to youth to develop focus, respect, and physical control, culminating in an annual showcase for fall-spring students.
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Dance Program Access and Scholarship Support 1 activity
- Merk-based dance scholarship program with comprehensive trainingOffers a merit-based scholarship program for dancers aged 10–18 that includes full tuition waivers, discounted electives, repertory development, master classes, field trips, community service, professional mentorship, and teacher assistant training.
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Fitness Training and Group Exercise Programs 1 activity
- Movement-based fitness programsOffers group fitness classes including Soca-Fit, Zumba, guided stretch, and cardio-strength-fitness formats that combine rhythm, dance, and accessible movement to promote physical wellness and lifelong health.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$3.84M
Contributions & grants$3.14M82%
Program service revenue$680K18%
Investment income$18K0%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$3.78M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead21%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$2.75M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$14.40M
Cash$1.01M
Investments$115K
Liabilities$25K
Net assets$14.38M
Liquid reserves3.6 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -32.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NATASHA RICHARDS | AED OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS | 35 | $120K |
| JULIANA COPE | AED OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT | 35 | $113K |
| B MADAHA KINSEY-LAMB | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THROUGH 7/2023) | 35 | $113K |
| SHIRLEY TAYLOR | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $86K |
board members · 13
- BASIR MCHAWI — CO-CHAIR
- CHRISTINA CONNOR THOMPSON — SECRETARY
- CLARENER MOULTRIE — BOARD MEMBER
- CYNTHIA MARTIN — VICE-CHAIR
- DARISE JEANBAPTISTE — BOARD MEMBER
- JAMES CARNEY — BOARD MEMBER
- JEAN HODGE — BOARD MEMBER
- JEANNA HUSSEY — BOARD MEMBER
- KIARA LEE — BOARD MEMBER
- LATOYA WESTBROOKS KEELING — BOARD MEMBER
- LYNN KARAM — BOARD MEMBER
- RACHEL LISSY — CO-CHAIR
- TAD SHULL — TREASURER
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- Bronx Borough President’s Office Government — Funding and support partner for facility renovations and program expansion
- Bronx Delegation to the NYC Council Government — Provided funding support for the $9.1 million interior renovation of the facility
- Bronx Music Heritage Center Partner — Partnering organization involved in field trips and programming for the folk culture internship.
- Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute Partner — Partnering organization involved in field trips and programming for the folk culture internship.
- City Lore Partner — Partnering organization involved in field trips and programming for the folk culture internship.
- Crawford Memorial Church Partner — Rented space from the church for initial dance classes in 1978
- Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Supported the $9.1 million interior renovation of the building
- Former State Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson Government — Funded the 2023 backyard, playground, and outdoor performance space renovation
- Los Herederos Partner — Partnering organization involved in field trips and programming for the folk culture internship.
- NYC Government — Primarily serves students based in New York City, with priority given to those in the Bronx.
- NYC Department of Education Government — Funded the Pre-Kindergarten program added after 2014 renovation
- NYC Department of Education Partner — Contracts with MIND BUILDERS CREATIVE ARTS INC to deliver free full-day pre-kindergarten services.
- NYS Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie Government — Funded the 2023 backyard, playground, and outdoor performance space renovation
- Noelani Love Partner — Faculty member who leads training focused on artistic expression, personal growth, and problem-solving.
- Positive Youth Troupe Theater Network — Original traveling ensemble founded in 1984 as part of Mind-Builders' theater program.
- Senator Jamaal Bailey Government — Funded the 2023 backyard, playground, and outdoor performance space renovation
- Smithsonian Folklife Festival Partner — Partnering organization involved in field trips and programming for the folk culture internship.
- The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc. Partner — Supports the Mind-Builders Stage Band program.
- Thomas J. Bennett Partner — Faculty member and Sensei leading martial arts instruction.
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.
- Arts-Integrated Youth Developmentmethodology: arts_integrated_youth_developmentBy integrating arts training with personal development, the organization builds self-awareness, presence, and life skills in youth because artistic practice serves as a vehicle for holistic growth and identity formation.
- Culturally Grounded Professional Arts Trainingmethodology: culturally_grounding_professional_trainingBy employing actively performing professional artists in culturally rooted disciplines, the organization delivers high-quality, authentic arts education that prepares students for advanced study and performance because cultural legitimacy and expert mentorship enhance learning outcomes.
- Equitable Access Through Financial and Structural Inclusionmethodology: equitable_access_modelBy removing financial and physical barriers through scholarships, sliding-scale tuition, and accessible facilities, the organization increases participation in arts education because access is foundational to equity and engagement in underserved communities.
- Experiential and Project-Based Learning in the Artsmethodology: experiential_project_based_learningBy engaging youth in hands-on media production and real-world public performances, the organization deepens learning and ownership because experiential participation fosters technical skill, cultural connection, and sustained engagement.