named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
BISR Certificate for Critical Study
Year-long program offering personalized study through four curated courses and one-on-one faculty tutoring, culminating in a capstone project
BISR Language Learning and Critique
Year-long language program combining formal language instruction in classical and modern languages with critical exploration of cultural and historical contexts
Educator Access
Initiative connecting K-12 and community college educators to BISR's liberal arts courses
Office Hours
Individualized study sessions guided by BISR faculty members for students seeking personalized academic support
Praxis
Program providing workshops, training, and educational resources for non-profits, labor organizations, and public interest groups
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Senior Social & Enrichment Programming 1 activity
- Community-Based Liberal Arts SeminarsOffers interdisciplinary seminars in the humanities and social sciences for working adults, both online and in person in New York City and other locations. The curriculum includes affordable courses in philosophy, feminist theory, biology, economics, and literature, hosted in collaboration with community spaces and cultural organizations.
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Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
- Educator Access and Teacher Scholarship ProgramOffers a scholarship program enabling public K-12 and community college teachers to enroll in BISR liberal arts and sciences courses for $150 per course. Enrolled educators receive New York State CTLE credit (12 hours per course), can take up to eight courses per year, and are connected to specialized programming through the Educator Access initiative.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Podcast and Digital PublicationsProduces the Podcast for Social Research and other podcast series such as Pop-Cultural Marxism and Practical Criticism, featuring scholarly conversations on contemporary cultural and political topics. Each episode is accompanied by annotated bibliographies. Also publishes Tzeitung, a blog on social research.
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Political Leadership Training for Underrepresented Groups 1 activity
- Political and Organizational Education ProgramsDelivers workshops, classes, and hands-on training for non-profits, labor unions, political organizations, and public interest groups through BISR Praxis. Programs include curriculum development, political education initiatives, and convenings on structural forces affecting organizing work.
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Uncategorized 4 activities
- Individualized Faculty-Guided Study ProgramsProvides one-on-one, tailored study sessions for students through faculty mentorship, including customized syllabi and weekly discussions of readings and broader topics. These programs range from single sessions to 12-week courses and may include an optional writing component culminating in an essay. Offered in person or online.
- Language Learning and Critique ProgramsOffers intensive language courses in classical and modern languages, including 36-week courses covering grammar, syntax, and reception history, and 6-week Reading Groups focused on foundational texts in original languages. Courses are capped at 12–15 students to support intimate, discussion-based learning integrating literature, philosophy, and critical theory. Includes planned offerings in Modern German (Fall 2025) and Classical Chinese (2026).
- Public Events and Interdisciplinary Lecture SeriesHosts public events such as film screenings, book talks, roundtable panels, concerts, Days of Learning, and live discussions on contemporary political and cultural topics. Also hosts an annual interdisciplinary lecture series with up to 9 lectures per year, open to students and alumni. Examples include events on Roxanne Euben’s work on humiliation, the atomic bombings’ legacies, and a two-day symposium on reimagining classics for the 21st century.
- Year-Long Certificate for Critical StudyOffers a year-long certificate program allowing students to pursue in-depth, self-determined study on a topic of interest with faculty guidance. Students complete a personalized curriculum of four BISR courses and develop a capstone project in written or multimedia form, supported by nine one-on-one tutoring sessions and concluding with a capstone presentation to a faculty committee.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$1.17M
Contributions & grants$137K12%
Program service revenue$929K79%
Investment income$20K2%
Other revenue$88K
expenses
Total expenses$1.14M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$445K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$597K
Cash$32K
Investments$116K
Liabilities$155K
Net assets$442K
Liquid reserves1.6 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue -26.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AJAY SINGH CHAUDHARY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $71K |
board members · 5
- ELIZABETH CASTELLI — TRUSTEE
- GRAZIELLA MATTY — TREASURER
- MICHELLE MILLER — CHAIR PERSON
- MIRIAM HAIER — TRUSTEE
- ROBIN VARGHESE — TRUSTEE
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Brooklyn Public Library Partner — Co-hosts public seminars series "Sips & Scholars" with the Brooklyn Institute.
- Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes Funder — Provided grant funding for the symposium 'Radical Re-Imaginings: Classics for the 21st Century'.
- Institute for Social Research Partner — Named after and intellectually inspired by the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt, Germany.
- London Partner — Offers in-person courses in London, indicating a local partnership or operational presence.
- New York State Government — Provides Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credit eligibility for BISR enrollees.
- New York State Government — Provides Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credit for BISR course participants.
- Princeton University Press Partner — Collaborates on events marking the publication of books by political theorists associated with the Institute's podcast.
- Prosthesis Media Partner — Web design and programming partner
- Prosthesis Media Partner — Web design and programming partner for BISR's website
- Prosthesis Media Partner — Web design and programming partner for the organization's website
- Prosthesis Media Partner — Web design and programming services provider for the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research.
- Society for Classical Studies Funder — Provided grant funding for the symposium 'Radical Re-Imaginings: Classics for the 21st Century'.
- coworker.org Partner — Collaborated with coworker.org through Praxis programming, advancing internal thinking and engagement with related institutions.
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.
- Interdisciplinary Language and Cultural Reckoning 63 orgsmethodology: critical_language_pedagogyBy combining formal language instruction with critical analysis of historical, cultural, and political contexts, the organization deepens linguistic and textual understanding because language is taught not as a neutral tool but as embedded in systems of power and meaning.shared approach: Culture-Integrated Language Education →
- Community-Based Intellectual Integration 18 orgsmethodology: community-based_educationBy integrating rigorous academic study with the lived experiences and everyday contexts of working adults, the organization increases accessibility and relevance of liberal arts education, fostering deeper engagement because learning is grounded in real-world experience and community partnerships.shared approach: Peer-Powered Learning →
- Mentorship-Driven Personalized Learning 7 orgsmethodology: mentorship-based_customizationBy pairing students with faculty experts to co-create individualized study programs centered on personal interests and guided inquiry, the organization fosters sustained intellectual development because mentorship builds accountability, depth, and tailored academic support.shared approach: Mentorship-Driven Development →
- Critical Theory for Organizational Empowermentmethodology: critical_theory_for_organizingBy embedding critical theory and interdisciplinary research into political education and organizing practices, the organization strengthens public interest organizations’ strategic clarity and cohesion because shared analytical frameworks improve collective understanding and action.