irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.38MCooke Institute (CI) furthers Cooke's mission principle by sharing its collective knowledge and commitment to improve the educational experience for all students, especially those with unique learning needs. through high-quality professional development for teachers and school leaders in literacy, special education, inclusion, and math, - ci partners include: public, parochial, and charter schools, early childhood programs, community-based organizations, cultural institutions, and business, so that all students have appropriate and equitable access to learning and improve outcomes. Annually, CI provides an average of 700 days of teacher and leadership coaching, serves an average of 170 classrooms through 40 coaching engagements in pre-k through 12th grade, impacting an estimated 6,000 students directly and indirectly, and offers almost 40 professional development sessions to professionals across NYS.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Cooke Institute Coaching
Provides on-site, evidence-based coaching for Pre-K–12 teachers and school leaders in literacy, special education, inclusion, and math, with a focus on differentiated instruction and data-driven practices.
Early Childhood Services
Provides coaching and consultation to early childhood educators in inclusive settings, focusing on developmentally appropriate practices, assessment, and preschool special education support.
Leadership Consulting
Supports school leaders in building instructional capacity, using data effectively, and advancing equity and inclusion across schools and programs.
Professional Development Workshops
Offers customized faculty workshops and training sessions on topics including the science of reading, executive functioning, language development, and sensory-friendly classrooms.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Teacher Professional Development 2 activities
- Conducting professional development for educators in inclusive practicesDelivers nearly 40 annual professional development sessions for educators across New York State, focusing on literacy, math, and special education strategies to support inclusive classrooms and improve outcomes for students in underserved communities.
- Providing teacher and leadership coaching to improve inclusive educationDelivers approximately 700 days of teacher and leadership coaching annually across New York State, serving 160–170 classrooms in pre-K through 12th grade, impacting around 6,000 students. Offers customized consulting and coaching in literacy, math, and special education for early childhood and K–8 educators in public, non-public, and charter schools, particularly in underserved areas of New York City.
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Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
- Advocating for special education reform in New York City public schoolsEngages in advocacy efforts aimed at reforming special education policies and practices within New York City public schools to improve access, equity, and quality of services for students with disabilities.
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Day Habilitation Services 1 activity
- Delivering daily adaptive and independent living skills trainingProvides daily adaptive skills training integrated into academic and vocational activities using real-life environments such as grocery stores, banks, restaurants, and an on-site apartment lab. Focuses on transportation use, meal preparation, money management, banking, and commuting to reinforce independence for students with disabilities.
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Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
- Offering art, music, and drama therapy as part of student curriculumDelivers art, music, and drama therapy to students aged 5–21 as part of the regular curriculum, led by licensed therapists to support social-emotional development in conjunction with traditional counseling and academic instruction.
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Summer Academic Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Operating a summer academy program for academic and social reinforcementRuns a six-week summer academy that reinforces academic and social skills through a thematic, multi-sensory curriculum, with integrated speech therapy, counseling, and occupational therapy for students with special needs.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Operating specialized schools for neurodivergent students and those with cognitive or developmental disabilitiesOperates a Lower School (grades K-5), Middle School (grades 6-8), and specialized high school (grades 9-12) for students with mild to moderate cognitive or developmental disabilities and severe language-based learning disabilities at 1713 Madison Avenue in East Harlem, and serves students ages 5–21 across campuses in East Harlem and SoHo. Provides integrated academics, clinical services, and adaptive skills training tailored to individual needs.
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Youth Workforce Readiness Programs 1 activity
- Providing vocational training and internship placements for students with disabilitiesOffers required and guided vocational internships for students ages 14–21 through the Upper School and Transitions programs, in partnership with community and corporate organizations. Internships focus on developing professional navigation, soft skills, workplace independence, and real-world experience, including paid roles and hands-on opportunities such as working alongside professional chefs or in talk show production.
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Self-Sufficiency Empowerment Workshops 1 activity
- Running the Transitions program for young adults with disabilitiesOperates Transitions, a program at 60 MacDougal Street for young adults ages 18–21, focused on academic, social, vocational, and life skills development using New York City as a living classroom. Includes off-site educational programming at public libraries, parks, museums, gyms, and recreational centers, along with support for accessing benefits and future programs through Transition Coordinators.
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Alumni Community Building 1 activity
- Sustaining alumni engagement and support through the Cooke Alumni AssociationSupports a community of over 300 graduates and their families through the Cooke Alumni Association, offering ongoing social, recreational, educational, and vocational support, including continuing education and recreational opportunities.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$39.62M
Contributions & grants$1.63M4%
Program service revenue$37.19M94%
Investment income$593K2%
Other revenue$203K
expenses
Total expenses$36.21M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$27.61M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$103.13M
Cash$28.27M
Investments$700K
Liabilities$47.33M
Net assets$55.80M
Liquid reserves9.6 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +4.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCIS TABONE | HEAD OF SCHOOL | 38 | $384K |
| DEBORAH COOPER | GENERAL COUNSEL | 38 | $268K |
| DALE SANTOS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 38 | $257K |
| MICHAEL EATON | Chief Advancement Officer | 38 | $248K |
| MARY CLANCY | ASSOCIATE HEAD OF SCHOOL | 38 | $241K |
| ELIZABETH SANTISO | DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES | 38 | $211K |
| JESSICA GARDNER | ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL | 38 | $202K |
| WILLIAM ENGLISH | DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS | 38 | $189K |
| PAUL FISHER | Director of Information technology | 38 | $187K |
board members · 16
- AMANDA LUKOF — TRUSTEE
- ANDREA POLLACK — CHAIR
- ANDREW MORRIS — TRUSTEE
- ARTHUR SKELSKIE — TRUSTEE
- Andrew Feller — TRUSTEE
- Brett Rogoff — Trustee
- DAGNALL FOLGER — TRUSTEE
- DAVID WARREN — TREASURER
- EAMON WALSH — TRUSTEE
- JUNE NIKLUS — TRUSTEE
- Julia Tung — Trustee
- KAREN ROBARDS — TRUSTEE
- Kimberly McCoy — TRUSTEE
- NICK JEREZ — TRUSTEE
- OZZIE RAMOS — TRUSTEE
- Rosemary Suh — TRUSTEE
relationships · 53
Who they work with
- 9-11 Memorial Museum Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- All Souls Church Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- American Institute of Architects Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Animal Haven Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Atlantic Theater Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Barry’s Bootcamp Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Beacon’s Closet Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- CVS Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Café Grumpy Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Carnegie Hill Neighbors Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Carter Burden Center Meals on Heels Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Circle of Confusion Queens Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Cooke Alumni Association Network — Supports graduates of the Cooke School through social, educational, and vocational programming.
- Costco Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Doodle Doo’s Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Educational Alliance Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- FLY Center Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Featherstone Designs Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Gallop NYC Therapeutic Riding Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- God’s Love We Deliver Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Gowanus E-Waste Facility Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Integrated Technology Systems Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Jan Hus Church Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- La Cocina Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Le Pain Quotidien Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Levain Bakery Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Middle Collegiate Church Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Modell’s Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
- Moody’s Partner — Hosts Cooke School students for internship opportunities.
+ 23 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.
- Education as a Pathway to Independencemethodology: education-for-independenceBy providing structured, individualized education centered on student strengths and developmental needs, we foster self-determination and lifelong independence for neurodivergent and disabled students, because education that builds agency produces more sustainable outcomes than caretaking models.
- Integrated Therapeutic and Academic Instructionmethodology: integrated_therapeutic_educationBy aligning clinical services—such as speech, counseling, and occupational therapy—with academic and project-based learning, we support holistic development, because embedding therapy in meaningful, interdisciplinary contexts improves engagement and functional outcomes more than isolated interventions.
- Long-Term, Person-Centered Transition Planningmethodology: person-centered_transition_planningBy engaging students and families in individualized transition planning starting in 9th grade, we produce more successful post-secondary outcomes, because sustained, collaborative planning aligned with personal interests and abilities increases ownership and real-world readiness more than time-limited or standardized approaches.
- Real-World Learning to Promote Generalization and Community Inclusionmethodology: real-world_learningBy embedding education in real-world contexts—such as internships, service projects, and community settings—we help students generalize academic and life skills, because experiential learning in authentic environments strengthens retention, independence, and social integration more effectively than classroom-only instruction.
- Strengths-Based, Individualized Instructionmethodology: strengths-based_learningBy tailoring education to student strengths, interests, and abilities—through individualized planning, internship placement, and differentiated instruction—we increase engagement and self-determination, because recognizing and building on existing capacities fosters greater motivation and long-term autonomy than deficit-focused models.