irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $2.68MTOURING: ABT'S TOURING BRINGS CLASSICAL BALLET TO AUDIENCES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD. TOURING IN 2024 INCLUDED A REGULAR RESIDENCY AT THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN WASHINGTON, DC. ADDITIONAL TOURING IN 2024 INCLUDED PERFORMANCES AT THE SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA.
- #2 $7.67MEDUCATIONAL TRAINING AND OUTREACH: IN 2024, AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING REACHED OVER 40,000 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS. ABT'S PRIMARY OUTREACH PROGRAM IS ABT AT SCHOOL: SERVING 20 NYC SCHOOLS ENGAGING OVER 2,500 STUDENTS. ABT'S STUDENT TRAINING PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS SCHOOL (366 STUDENTS); SUMMER INTENSIVES HELD IN-PERSON (725 STUDENTS) AND ABT STUDIO COMPANY (12 STUDENTS), A PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM. ABT'S TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM (ABT NATIONAL TRAINING CURRICULUM) HAD 138 NEWLY CERTIFIED TEACHERS ENROLLED IN ITS 2024 COURSES. TO DATE, THE PROGRAM HAS CERTIFIED ALMOST 4,000 (3,982) TEACHERS IN 49 STATES AND 63 COUNTRIES.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
ABT National Training Curriculum
Teacher certification program that had enrolled 3,982 teachers across 49 states and 63 countries by 2024, training educators in ABT's standardized dance instruction method.
ABT Studio Company
Pre-professional program for advanced students, consisting of 12 dancers in 2024, offering performance experience and transition support into professional careers.
ABT at School
Outreach program serving public schools in New York City, engaging over 2,500 students annually through in-school dance education programs.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
Professional training program for aspiring dancers, enrolling 366 students in 2024, providing pre-professional ballet education.
Summer Intensives
Annual summer training programs held in-person, serving 725 students in 2024, providing intensive ballet instruction to aspiring dancers.
Touring
ABT's touring program brings classical and contemporary ballet to audiences across the United States and internationally, with regular residencies at major performing arts centers including the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and performances in cities such as Costa Mesa, Chicago, and Beijing.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Original Dance Performance Production 3 activities
- Commission new ballet works from prominent choreographersCommissions original ballets from renowned choreographers including George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Alexei Ratmansky, contributing to the expansion and diversification of the American ballet repertoire.
- Develop and present new choreographic works through ABT IncubatorHosts an annual choreographic development program, ABT Incubator, launched in 2018, in which emerging and established choreographers create original works on American Ballet Theatre (ABT) dancers. The 2025 edition featured four choreographers developing new pieces over a two-week period.
- Present classical ballet performances nationally and internationallyProduces and tours classical ballet productions across the United States and globally, including regular residencies at major venues such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA. In 2023, performances reached 300,000 people across cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Chicago, and Durham.
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Ballet and Dance Education Programs 2 activities
- Engage adult dancers through Open Division and ABT Masters SeriesOffers training and performance opportunities for adult dancers through the Open Division and the ABT Masters Series, fostering lifelong engagement with ballet technique and practice.
- Support pre-professional dancer development through ABT Studio CompanyOperates the ABT Studio Company, a pre-professional training ensemble of 12–15 dancers, providing performance experience and developmental pathways into the main company, including preparation for apprentice transitions such as Sooha Park’s.
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LGBTQ+ Community Events and Celebrations 1 activity
- Host special community events such as Pride NightOrganizes annual Pride Night events, such as the sixth annual event in 2026, featuring performances, speeches on inclusivity, and partnerships with LGBTQIA+ organizations and fundraising initiatives like Dancers Responding to AIDS.
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Membership Program Administration 1 activity
- Offer audience engagement and membership programsProvides ABT memberships and the ABT Insiders program, offering benefits such as early access to tickets and events, discounts, and curated content to deepen audience involvement and support.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Offer discounted tickets to young audiencesProvides $30 tickets for select performances to individuals aged 13 to 30 to increase accessibility and cultivate younger audiences.
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Digital Visitor Engagement via Mobile App 1 activity
- Produce digital educational content and video seriesCreates and distributes digital content including a video series on ballet history, repertoire synopses, and dancer interviews, as well as curated email updates and a digital guide via the Bloomberg Connects app, to enhance audience engagement and accessibility.
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Performing Arts Production Support 1 activity
- Rent ballet productions and scenic elements to other companiesMakes full-length ballet productions and individual scenic or costume components available for rental by other ballet companies, supporting broader access to ABT’s artistic resources.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Provide educational outreach and training programsReaches over 40,000 individuals annually through initiatives such as ABT at School, which serves New York City public schools; the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School; in-person and virtual Summer Intensives; and the ABT National Training Curriculum, which has certified nearly 4,000 teachers across 49 U.S. states and 63 countries.
- Stage full-length classical ballet productionsProduces and performs full-length classical ballets such as The Sleeping Beauty, featuring original choreography, elaborate costumes, and storybook sets. Scheduled performances include multiple shows in April 2027 at a New York venue.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$41.01M
Contributions & grants$19.91M49%
Program service revenue$19.28M47%
Investment income$1.57M4%
Other revenue$254K
expenses
Total expenses$55.10M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$30.91M
Grants paid out$937K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$63.57M
Cash$5.16M
Investments$29.30M
Liabilities$32.02M
Net assets$31.55M
Liquid reserves7.5 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +14.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN JAFFE | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | 40 | $519K |
| BARRY HUGHSON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (AS OF 3/2024) | 40 | $440K |
| HERMAN CORNEJO | PRINCIPAL DANCER | 40 | $258K |
| LOURDES LIZ | CHIEF MARKETING DIRECTOR | 40 | $256K |
| PAUL STEARNS | PRINCIPAL DANCER | 40 | $238K |
| CHERYL KOHN | DIRECTOR, LEADERSHIP GIFTS | 40 | $231K |
| KYLE RIDAUGHT | CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER | 40 | $230K |
| HEE SEO | PRINCIPAL DANCER | 40 | $229K |
| JENELLE VINCENT | CONTROLLER | 40 | $220K |
board members · 16
- ALEXANDRA AIRTH — TRUSTEE
- ALEXIS STILES — TRUSTEE
- ALISSA HSU LYNCH — TRUSTEE
- ANDREW F BARTH — CHAIRMAN
- ANGELA H HO — TRUSTEE
- ARIELLE PATRICK — TRUSTEE
- BETH CHARTOFF SPECTOR — TRUSTEE
- DMITRI POTISHKO — TRUSTEE
- DONNA CALAMARI — TRUSTEE
- DOUGLAS C WURTH — TRUSTEE
- DOUGLAS TABISH — TRUSTEE
- FRANCESCA MACARTNEY BEALE — TRUSTEE
- GWENDOLYN M FRAGOMEN — TRUSTEE
- HAMISH BOWLES — TRUSTEE
- JAMES HEXTER — TRUSTEE
- JANINE RACANELLI — TRUSTEE
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- American Ballet Theatre Network — BALLET THEATRE FOUNDATION INC operates as American Ballet Theatre, America’s National Ballet Company®.
- American Ballet Theatre Network — Identifies as America’s National Ballet Company® and offers production rentals through its institutional resources.
- Auditorium Theatre Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances in Chicago, Illinois.
- Ballez Partner — Highlighted Ballez as an organization working to make ballet inclusive and welcoming for all.
- Bloomberg Connects Partner — Collaborates to provide a digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app for audience engagement.
- Chrysler Hall Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Dancers Responding to Aids Partner — Partnered with Dancers Responding to Aids to conduct a fundraising appeal during Pride Night.
- Daniel Boulud Partner — Chef and restaurateur who provided a testimonial endorsement for ABT Kitchen.
- David Hallberg Partner — ABT Principal Dancer who directed the establishment of ABT Incubator in 2018.
- Durham Performing Arts Center at Duke University Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances in Durham, North Carolina.
- Elizabeth Kaye Partner — Hosts the video series "Behind the Ballet," providing historical and artistic insight into ABT's repertoire.
- Gaillard Center Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances in Charleston, South Carolina.
- Hancher Auditorium Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.
- Human Rights Campaign Partner — Invited board members from Human Rights Campaign to attend ABT's Pride Night.
- Javier Rivet Partner — Former ABT dancer and artist who created illustrations for ABT Kitchen.
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partner — Hosts a regular residency for American Ballet Theatre performances in Washington, DC.
- Jose Sebastian Partner — ABT dancer appointed director of ABT Incubator in 2020.
- Lied Center for the Performing Arts Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska.
- Live Out Loud Partner — Recognized Live Out Loud as a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ youth through resources and leadership opportunities.
- Mahalia Jackson Theater Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- NYC LGBT Community Center Partner — Highlighted NYC LGBT Community Center’s role in providing safe, affirming spaces and support services for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.
- National Center for the Performing Arts Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances in Beijing, China.
- National Queer Theater Partner — Highlighted National Queer Theater’s work in creating equitable spaces through theater and education.
- Queer the Ballet Partner — Recognized Queer the Ballet for creating diverse queer spaces in the ballet world through performance and education.
- Queer | Art Partner — Highlighted Queer | Art’s mentorship and public programming for LGBTQ+ artists.
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances in Costa Mesa, California.
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts Partner — Venue partner hosting performances of The Sleeping Beauty in Costa Mesa, California.
- Shanghai Grand Theatre Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances in Shanghai, China.
- Staller Center Partner — Hosts American Ballet Theatre performances in Stony Brook, New York.
- The Door Partner — Recognized The Door for providing comprehensive free services to youth in New York City.
+ 2 more
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.
- Blended Repertoire to Evolve Ballet as an Art Formmethodology: classical-contemporary blendBy balancing classical and contemporary works—including reconstructions, new choreography, and diverse narratives—the organization sustains artistic relevance and evolution because this duality honors tradition while fostering innovation.
- Contextual Storytelling to Enhance Artistic Appreciationmethodology: educational_enrichment_through_context_and_storytellingBy combining historical context, narrative synopses, and personal anecdotes, the organization enhances audience understanding and emotional engagement with ballet works because contextual framing makes performances more accessible and meaningful.
- Expert-Led Content to Deepen Audience Engagementmethodology: audience-engagement-through-expert-contentBy creating expert-led digital content that provides insight into ballet, the organization increases audience engagement because deeper understanding fosters appreciation and connection to the art form.
- Insider Access to Cultivate Community Supportmethodology: community-engagement-through-insider-accessBy offering supporters insider access to the creative process, the organization fosters a sense of community membership because proximity to artistic development deepens emotional investment and loyalty.
- Standardized Training to Scale Artistic Excellencemethodology: standardized_teacher_certificationBy using a standardized national curriculum to certify ballet teachers, the organization expands access to high-quality dance education because consistent pedagogical standards ensure fidelity and scalability across regions.