named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Ashokan Archive
Online video archive launched in 2020 featuring recordings of concerts, workshops, and educational events in music, history, and culture; accessible via subscription or event registration
Catskill Conversations
Speaker series exploring regional history, environmental issues, and cultural themes, such as the impact of NYC reservoir construction on local communities
Old Time Rollick
Traditional American old-time music gathering featuring workshops, jams, concerts, and community singing, offered both in-person and online
Scottish String Fling
Music program focused on Scottish fiddle and cello traditions, including concerts and instructional sessions led by Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas, and other master musicians
Uke Fest & Uke Revue
Annual ukulele festival offering workshops and evening concerts featuring teaching artists and performers
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
- Awards financial aid grants for educational accessProvides need-based financial aid grants and supports accessibility at Music & Dance Camps through tiered pricing and Pay it Forward Scholarships, including stewardship of the Howie Brown Memorial Fund.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Delivers educational field trips and school programsProvides hands-on educational field trip programs for schools, serving approximately 5,000 students and teachers annually since 1967, featuring scientific investigations, living history classes, colonial crafts, ropes courses, and music instruction on its historic 385-acre campus.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Hosts music and dance camps and cultural gatheringsOrganizes and hosts multiple music and dance camps annually, including Scottish String Fling, Ariles Son Jarocho Camp, Ukulele Weekend, Old Time Rollick, Western & Swing Week, Northern Week, Acoustic Guitar Camp, Bluegrass Week, Southern Week, and Banjo Weekend, engaging over 1,300 individuals each year in participatory music and dance experiences.
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Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
- Hosts public music and community festivalsOrganizes public events such as the Southern Shindig, an evening of Cajun, Créole, Zydeco, and Old Time string band music with dance instruction and participatory dancing under an outdoor pavilion, contributing to over 4,550 annual attendees at public events on campus.
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Offers environmental and living history education programsOperates environmental education and living history programs on its campus designated as a Historic District on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, integrating nature, history, and sustainability into experiential learning for students and visitors.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Provides family and cross-generational camp programsOffers Family Camp annually, a cross-generational program featuring nature, music, arts, crafts, and interactive games for participants ranging from babies to grandparents, held on its 385-acre Catskill campus.
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Managed Campground and Retreat Operations 1 activity
- Provides lodging, meals, and event facilitiesOffers lodging options including private rooms, dorm-style bunkhouses, and campsites, provides meals for groups up to 200 guests, and rents event spaces to support programming and generate revenue for nonprofit work.
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Digital Music and Performance Archiving 1 activity
- Provides online educational video archiveOperates an online video archive launched in April 2020 featuring over 300 archived lessons and workshops in music, nature, history, and art, including instruction on ukulele, guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, accordion, piano, bass, and harmony singing.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$5.42M
Contributions & grants$2.67M49%
Program service revenue$2.47M46%
Investment income$46K1%
Other revenue$238K
expenses
Total expenses$3.75M
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$1.96M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.05M
Cash$343K
Investments$1.37M
Liabilities$1.85M
Net assets$3.20M
Liquid reserves5.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +484.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 12
- DAN GOTTFRIED — Treasurer
- JAY UNGAR — President
- JOAKIM LARTEY — Director
- KALE KAPOSHILIN — Director
- MARIANNE FAHS — Director
- MICHAEL MERENDA — Director
- MOLLY MASON — Vice President
- PETER COOK — Managing direct
- ROSEMARY NICHOLS — Secretary
- SAMRAT PATHANIA — Director
- TIM GUINEE — Director
- VINNIE MARTUCCI — Director
relationships · 30
Who they work with
- Alan Palmer Partner — Teaches and presents on the evolution of American jazz piano and cultural traditions at Ashokan Center events
- Alasdair Fraser Partner — Collaborates as a performer and instructor in Scottish fiddle music programs at the Ashokan Center
- Andrew Faust Partner — Shares expertise in permaculture design and education on food and energy security at Ashokan Center events
- Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Hudson Valley Chapter Government — Presented the 2026 Joan Gambeski Award for Outstanding Fundraiser to Ashokan Center’s Chief Development Officer.
- Central Hudson Funder — Provided a $10,000 grant to support summer camp programming.
- Debbie Miglione Partner — Partner educator whose testimonial highlights the educational impact of Ashokan's programs.
- Eileen Amy Ryan Funder — Provided the founding gift to launch the $100,000 Summer Match Campaign.
- Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Partner — Awarded Jay Ungar and Molly Mason the Lifetime Contribution Award for their work in music, culture, and environmental stewardship.
- JM McDonald Foundation Funder — Provided a $5,000 grant to support summer camp programming.
- James Ransome Partner — Participates as an illustrator and presenter on historical themes in children's literature at Ashokan Center events
- Jay Ungar Government — President & CEO of The Ashokan Center
- Jay Ungar Partner — Participates as a musician, composer, and instructor in fiddle and old-time music programs at the Ashokan Center
- Lesa Cline-Ransome Partner — Participates as an author and presenter on historical fiction and resilience in American history at Ashokan Center events
- Lisa Hurley Partner — Director of Private Events who coordinates site tours, weddings, and lodging arrangements.
- Lisa Hurley Partner — Point of contact for wedding guests to book lodging at the Ashokan Center.
- Marianne Kearney Funder — Provided a $25,000 lead gift during the Hudson Valley Gives campaign.
- Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation Funder — Supports Ashokan Music & Dance Camps and the Summer Hoot
- Molly Mason Partner — Participates as a musician and instructor in fiddle and old-time music programs at the Ashokan Center
- Natalie Haas Partner — Collaborates as a performer and instructor in cello and Scottish fiddle music programs at the Ashokan Center
- National Register of Historic Places Government — Site is designated as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Funds Ashokan Center programming
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provided a $145,000 Capital Design Match Award for planning and design of the Arts & Education Lodge.
- Project Green Schools Partner — Awarded the 2026 Green Difference Award in the Arts category to Jay Ungar, President & CEO of The Ashokan Center.
- Rhonda Rucker Partner — Teaches and performs blues, civil war songs, and social justice music at Ashokan Center events
- Sara Trapani Partner — Chief Development Officer who mentors and models stewardship practices for the Development team.
- Sheryl Brumer Partner — Partner educator who endorses Ashokan's programs as essential for school curricula.
- Sparky Rucker Partner — Teaches and performs blues, civil war songs, and social justice music at Ashokan Center events
- State Register of Historic Places Government — Site is designated as a Historic District on the State Register of Historic Places.
- United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Government — Recognized Jay Ungar’s contributions in a congratulatory letter for receiving the 2026 Green Difference Award.
- Wendy Dolber Funder — Provided $25,000 to renew the Howie Brown Memorial Fund for Music & Dance Camp accessibility.
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.
- Cultural Community Building Through Immersive Artsmethodology: cultural_community_buildingBy integrating traditional music, dance, and cultural gatherings into shared natural settings, Ashokan Center strengthens community belonging and personal well-being because participatory arts in nature create emotional resonance and foster inclusive group cohesion.
- Experiential Learning Through Nature and Culturemethodology: experiential_learningBy engaging participants in shared experiences across nature, history, music, and art, Ashokan Center fosters deep learning and community building because immersive, multisensory encounters enhance retention, emotional connection, and collective identity formation.
- Interdisciplinary Holistic Education Modelmethodology: holistic_interdisciplinary_learningBy combining hands-on learning across nature, history, music, and art, Ashokan Center renews engagement in education because integrating multiple domains fosters deeper understanding, creativity, and relevance for learners of all ages.