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CIRCUSENSE INC
BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 814566698 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Small ($100K-$1M) · omniumcircus.org
revenue
$920K
expenses
$784K
net assets
$-119K
employees
0
volunteers
47
program ratio
82%
profile · synthesized from sources

Omnium Circus is a nonprofit circus arts organization that provides inclusive, accessible performances and educational programs for diverse audiences, including people with disabilities. It combines entertainment, employment, and education to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through circus arts. The organization serves schools, communities, and families with both in-person and virtual programming, primarily in New York and through national partnerships.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Corporate DEAIB Training
Experiential workshops for companies using circus arts to support Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Belonging training
STREB x Omnium Circus Arts Residency
Collaborative residency combining STREB’s PopAction technique with Omnium’s accessible circus model to provide inclusive movement experiences for students of all abilities
The Amazing Activity Zone
In-person school program where students learn basic circus skills and the science behind them, focusing on confidence, physical activity, teamwork, and fun
Virtual Circus Program
60-minute virtual performance featuring diverse, multi-abled circus artistry with accessibility features including ASL, captioning, audio description, and supportive language for neurodiverse audiences
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
    • Distributes circus tickets to low-income families
      Provides circus tickets to children from families who cannot afford them through a donor-supported access program.
  • Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
    • Employs and integrates disability community members in organizational roles
      Employs artists, staff, and board members from the disability community, with people with disabilities comprising 25% of the performing company and 40% of the total team.
  • Art Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
    • Offers inclusive circus arts residency programs with STREB
      Co-delivers an inclusive, in-person circus arts residency program with STREB that combines PopAction technique with accessible circus training for students of all abilities.
  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
    • Provides STEAM-based educational circus programs for schools
      Delivers in-person educational programs for schools, including full-day or half-day programs where students learn basic circus skills and related science concepts, as well as themed assembly programs such as Phenomenal Physics and Water Magic for pre-K. Programs integrate circus arts with science learning.
  • Workplace DEI Research and Training 1 activity
    • Provides corporate and in-school DEAI training using circus arts
      Provides virtual and in-school educational programming and in-person corporate training in Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) using circus arts as a teaching framework.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Produces inclusive professional circus performances
      Produces multi-generational, family-friendly circus performances featuring a comprehensively inclusive cast that is multi-ethnic, multi-racial, and multi-abled, including performers with disabilities showcased for their artistic contributions. Offers both in-person and 60-minute virtual performances.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$920K
Contributions & grants$331K36%
Program service revenue$589K64%
Investment income$2850%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$784K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$223K
Cash$223K
Investments$0
Liabilities$342K
Net assets$-119K
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +26.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 4
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
LISA B LEWIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $43K
NOE ESPANA BOARD DIR AND CREATIVE DIR 1 $25K
BARBARA PFLUGHAUPT BOARD DIRECTOR 1 $15K
STEVE MENDELSOHN ACTING DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 5 $14K
board members · 5
  • DION HARRISON — BOARD DIRECTOR
  • JILL SIEGEL — BOARD DIRECTOR
  • JOHNATHAN LEE IVERSON — BOARD DIRECTOR
  • KIM ANTHONY JONES — BOARD DIRECTOR
  • REGINA RILEY LATCHERAN — BOARD DIRECTOR
relationships · 15

Who they work with

  • Big Apple Circus Partner — Lisa B. Lewis worked in multiple capacities with the organization.
  • Brandeis University Partner — Lisa B. Lewis holds a BA from the university.
  • Eventbrite Partner — Platform used to distribute tickets for virtual circus performances.
  • Harmony Artists Partner — Partner organization responsible for booking and managing tour logistics for Omnium Circus performances.
  • IAAP International Association of Accessibility Professionals Network — Member organization, indicating professional affiliation in accessibility.
  • NBC 4 Partner — Featured Omnium Circus in press coverage.
  • National Organization on Disability Government — Recognized by the National Organization on Disability as a 2022 and 2023 Leading Disability Employer.
  • New York University (NYU) Partner — Lisa B. Lewis earned a Master’s Degree in Clown/Circus History from NYU.
  • QPTV Partner — Featured Omnium Circus in press coverage.
  • Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College Partner — Lisa B. Lewis is a graduate of the institution.
  • STREB Partner — Collaborates on an inclusive circus arts residency program combining STREB’s PopAction technique with Omnium’s accessible model.
  • Story Tapestries Partner — Nonprofit partner that partially sponsors Omnium Circus and collaborates on accessible arts programs.
  • Telemundo Partner — Featured Omnium Circus in press coverage.
  • Threadless Partner — Hosts and manages merchandise sales for Omnium Circus through an online storefront.
  • WETA PBS Partner — Featured Omnium Circus in press coverage.
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.

  • Culturally Responsive Circus-Based Education
    methodology: culturally_responsive_sustaining_education
    By embedding DEI and STEAM learning within circus performances and curricula aligned with the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education framework, the organization promotes deeper engagement and learning outcomes, because culturally grounded, multi-sensory experiences support diverse learners.
  • Inclusive Representation in Circus Arts
    methodology: inclusive_representation
    By centering performers, staff, and audiences with diverse identities and abilities in circus programming, the organization challenges societal perceptions and advances equity, because representation fosters belonging and shifts cultural norms.
  • Three-Pillar Model for Comprehensive Inclusion
    methodology: tripod_model
    By integrating entertainment, employment, and education into a unified model, the organization achieves systemic inclusion and accessibility, because sustained impact requires multi-domain engagement rather than isolated programs.
  • Universal Access Through Design
    methodology: universal_access_design
    By designing programs with built-in accessibility features such as ASL, captioning, and audio description, the organization ensures meaningful participation for people of all abilities, because equitable access must be proactively designed, not retrofitted.