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THE ANIMATION PROJECT INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 262318845 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B99 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · theanimationproject.org
revenue
$825K
expenses
$988K
net assets
$267K
employees
11
volunteers
12
program ratio
82%
mission · from form 990

The Animation Project nurtures the social and emotional growth of young people, using digital art technology as a therapeutic medium and a workforce development tool.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Animation Project nurtures the social and emotional growth of young people through digital art technology, combining creative arts therapy with animation training. Based in New York City, it serves low-income youth, many impacted by the carceral system, by providing free programs that build technical skills and support workforce development in the media and animation industries.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Animated Storytelling Programs
Free therapeutic and educational groups for youth ages 12–24 held in schools, community organizations, jails, and courts, where participants collaboratively create original animated films while developing social-emotional and technical skills.
Industry Access Events
Free virtual events connecting NYC youth ages 12–24 with media industry professionals through guest lectures, studio visits, and career development opportunities.
Made in NY Animation Training Program
Hands-on technical and career readiness training for creatives aged 18–24 who lack access to traditional education, leading to industry certifications and job placement.
TAP Studio
Professional animation studio where program graduates work as paid apprentices on client projects under the mentorship of industry professionals.
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 3 activities
    • Production of original animated content
      Supports youth in producing original animated videos through team-based, production-focused sessions, resulting in the creation of over 650 short films to date.
    • Workforce development and training program
      Provides hands-on technical and production training in industry-standard animation software and career readiness skills for individuals aged 18–24 who face barriers to traditional education. The program includes a certificate of completion, career readiness badges, and Adobe certification, with 100% graduation rate and 80% placement into jobs, internships, or further education.
    • Youth animation and creative arts therapy programs
      Offers free group programs for youth aged 12–24 to learn animation pipeline skills, create original animated stories from concept to completion, and develop social-emotional skills through story development and production. Programs are co-led by an animation teaching artist and a creative arts therapist and take place in schools, jails, courts, and community-based organizations across all five boroughs of New York City.
  • Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
    • Apprenticeship program in TAP Studio
      Hires program graduates as apprentices in TAP Studio, where they earn a living wage while working on client projects under mentorship from producers, professional animators, and visiting experts from partner studios, gaining real-world production experience.
  • Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
    • Public showcase and alumni engagement events
      Hosts an annual public screening of participants' completed animated films, accompanied by an alumni discussion panel and an artist market where former participants can sell original artwork and merchandise, fostering community and professional connection.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Partnership development with creative sector and community organizations
      Builds and maintains long-term partnerships with over 75 community-based organizations and animation studios in New York City to support youth artists, expand program delivery, and strengthen the local creative sector. Current partners include the Center for Justice Innovation, Classical Saxophone Project, Forsyth Satellite Academy, and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$825K
Contributions & grants$155K19%
Program service revenue$670K81%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$988K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$676K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$283K
Cash$248K
Investments$0
Liabilities$16K
Net assets$267K
Liquid reserves3.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -50.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
BRIAN AUSTIN Executive Dir. 40 $112K
NATASHA AMENDOLARA ASSOC EXEC DIR 40 $105K
board members · 7
  • FRANK MAISELLO — Treasurer
  • JOSE GOMEZ — Secretary
  • LAUREN MACKSOUD — Director
  • LAURENCE AUSTIN — Director
  • MATTHEW MUNN — Director
  • RAMONA ROOPNARINE — Chairman
  • ROSE POLIDORO — Director
relationships · 46

Who they work with

  • 75+ community organizations and studios Partner — Maintains long-term partnerships with over 75 community organizations and studios.
  • AEO Better World Foundation Funder — Foundation supporter of The Animation Project
  • Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Partner — Past program partner involved in youth animation programming.
  • Brithney Rivera Partner — Industry partner involved in the Made in NY Animation Training Program through guest lectures, studio visits, mentoring, or hiring.
  • CASES: Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (ATI and ATD) Partner — Past program partner focused on justice-involved youth.
  • Cartuna Partner — Corporate supporter of The Animation Project
  • Center for Community Alternatives Partner — Past program partner serving justice-impacted youth through educational programming.
  • Center for Justice Innovation Partner — Current program partner collaborating on animation programming initiatives.
  • Center for Justice Innovation Partner — Program partner for TAP's Animated Storytelling Programs in 2025-26.
  • Classical Saxophone Project Partner — Current program partner integrating animation with music education.
  • Classical Saxophone Project Partner — Program partner for TAP's Animated Storytelling Programs in 2025-26.
  • DuKode Studio Partner — Industry partner supporting the Made in NY Animation Training Program through engagement such as mentoring, guest lectures, or hiring graduates.
  • ETC Studio Partner — Industry partner contributing to the Made in NY Animation Training Program via mentorship, studio visits, or recruitment of trainees.
  • Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Partner — Past program partner in media arts education.
  • Find Your Light Foundation Funder — Foundation supporter of The Animation Project
  • Forsyth Satellite Academy Partner — Current program partner providing animation education within an alternative school setting.
  • Forsyth Satellite Academy Partner — Program partner for TAP's Animated Storytelling Programs in 2025-26.
  • Framestore Partner — Industry partner engaged with the Made in NY Animation Training Program through professional involvement such as mentoring or hiring.
  • Gretel Partner — Industry partner collaborating with the Made in NY Animation Training Program through mentorship, guest speaking, or employment opportunities.
  • HBO Partner — Partnered with TAP to provide industry access events for youth.
  • Hornet Partner — Industry partner involved in the Made in NY Animation Training Program through professional engagement like mentoring or hiring graduates.
  • Jamil Primas Partner — Industry professional partnering with the Made in NY Animation Training Program through mentorship, guest lectures, or recruitment.
  • Jonathan McCoy Partner — Industry professional supporting the Made in NY Animation Training Program through mentorship, studio visits, or hiring initiatives.
  • Matt Munn Partner — Industry professional collaborating with the Made in NY Animation Training Program via guest lectures, mentoring, or employment opportunities.
  • Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Government — Current program partner supporting media and entertainment initiatives for youth.
  • NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Government supporter of The Animation Project
  • NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Government — Government supporter of The Animation Project
  • NYC-based studios Partner — Partnership with animation studios in New York City to support youth training and creative development.
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funding for TAP in partnership with the City Council.
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Public funder supporting the 2026 showcase in partnership with the City Council.
+ 16 more
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.

  • Collaborative Creativity in Authentic Storytelling
    methodology: collaborative_creativity
    By grounding animation projects in lived experience and emphasizing collaborative creativity, the organization drives personal and community transformation, because authentic, group-developed narratives strengthen emotional investment and produce more impactful outcomes.
  • Creative Arts Therapy Integrated with Technology Training
    methodology: creative_arts_therapy_with_technology
    By combining creative arts therapy with digital animation and group-based learning, the organization fosters social-emotional development and workforce readiness, because therapeutic engagement enhances personal growth while technical training builds professional skills.
  • Pathway to Meaningful Careers through Industry Alignment
    methodology: industry-aligned_pathways
    By aligning curriculum with industry standards and partnering with media professionals, the organization prepares youth for passion-driven careers, because real-world relevance and direct exposure to professional environments increase placement success and career sustainability.
  • Tiered Learning with Incentivized Advancement
    methodology: tiered_learning_with_incentivized_advancement
    By using a tiered learning model with stipend-based advancement, the organization supports sustained participant engagement and professional development, because financial incentives and structured progression increase commitment and reduce drop-out rates.