irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $50K"Authenticity in the Classroom" Professional Development Program: In 2024, the Guild continued to focus on professional-development programs for educators in New York City and the tri-state area. We offer "Authenticity in the Classroom" courses in partnership with the After School Professional Development Program (ASPDP) of the NYC DOE and as independent professional-development opportunities for educators and school communities who are looking to deepen their practice. In total, in 2024, 120 educators, who taught over 6,000 students, participated in nearly 450 hours of Authenticity in the Classroom programming.
- #2 $23KGeneral Program: In 2024, we continued to offer a small number of philanthropically-funded programs to NYC DOE schools.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Authenticity in the Classroom
Professional development program for educators focusing on social-emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching, and fostering student authenticity through creative expression.
My Creative Quest
Out-of-school program for grades K–12 offering six-week tracks in found materials, self-portraiture, and art history to support student-driven creative exploration.
Portfolio Preparation
Six-week course for teens ages 13–18 to develop exceptional art portfolios for academic or personal advancement.
Self-Portraits: The Original Selfie
Arts program for children ages 4–15 using drawing and clay to explore identity and self-expression through guided self-portrait projects.
Visual Storytelling: Curiosity, Imagination, and Authenticity in the Classroom
In-school arts program for K–8 students that builds social-emotional, storytelling, and visual skills, including a teacher training component.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
- Advocate for arts and cultural education in public policyEngages in advocacy by presenting formal testimony to public bodies such as the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations, focusing on the impact of the pandemic on art and cultural education programming in New York City.
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Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
- Deliver in-school arts and social-emotional learning residenciesProvides in-school direct service arts residencies for K–8 students that build social-emotional, storytelling, and visual skills through programs like "Visual Storytelling: Curiosity, Imagination, and Authenticity in the Classroom." These programs are delivered under contracts with the New York City Department of Education, including Multiple Task Award Contracts (MTACs), and have reached over 6,000 students with nearly 450 hours of programming in recent years.
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 1 activity
- Host adult book clubs and personal growth workshops on authentic relationships with childrenOperates a book club and personal growth workshops for adults focused on supporting children's authentic development and improving adult-child relationships through empathy and authenticity. These include live, interactive sessions that guide participants in reflective practices to examine their own identities and those of children.
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Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
- Operate online store to fund creativity education programsRuns the "Gifts of Authenticity" online store featuring unique gifts created and donated by community members, with all proceeds supporting the organization’s mission of providing creativity education programs for children. Sales revenue directly funds initiatives that help children explore and develop their authentic selves.
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Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
- Partner with schools and districts to expand social-emotional and arts programmingHas partnered with dozens of schools, school districts, and organizations over the past ten years to support social-emotional learning and arts education, including implementing advisory programs and submitting proposals for new curricula to the New York City Department of Education.
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Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Provide professional development for educators in authenticity-based learningOffers professional development workshops and 16-hour interactive courses for K–12 educators and administrators on "Authenticity-Based Social-Emotional Learning," including programs such as "Authenticity in the Classroom" and "Authentic Advisories." The organization is an approved vendor for the NYC Department of Education’s Safe & Supportive Schools Professional Development Program, and served 120 educators in 2024 across New York City and the tri-state area.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Run out-of-school creative skill-building programs for youthOperates after-school and virtual programs such as "My Creative Quest," a six-week out-of-school program launched in October 2020 offering K–12 students class tracks in creative skills including working with found materials, self-portraiture, and art history. Also offers a 6-week portfolio preparation program for youth aged 13–18.
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Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
- Support children's authentic self-development through creative expressionUses art, poetry, journaling prompts, and creative tools—such as making a celestial map of one's inner universe and reflective selfie exercises—to support self-discovery and the development of authentic selves in children and adults. This approach is central to the organization’s "Authenticity-Based Social-Emotional Learning" educational model.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Host public events on adult authenticity in child developmentHosted an event titled "Becoming the Adults Children Want to Talk To" in New York City on April 19, 2025, aimed at helping adults reflect on their roles in fostering open, authentic relationships with children.
- Launch creative exhibitions for children's pandemic reflectionsLaunched a virtual exhibition titled "The Spring We Stayed In" inviting children to submit artwork and writing reflecting on their experiences during the pandemic, supporting emotional expression through creative outlets during remote learning periods.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$123K
Contributions & grants$106K87%
Program service revenue$2K1%
Investment income$14K12%
Other revenue$495
expenses
Total expenses$269K
Program expenses48%
Admin / overhead23%
Fundraising29%
Salaries & benefits$120K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$403K
Cash$261K
Investments$75K
Liabilities$12K
Net assets$391K
Liquid reserves15.0 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -60.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Kopelman | Founding President and CEO | 40 | $100K |
board members · 6
- Allison Keiley — Board Member
- Amy Comer — Chair, Governance Committee
- Ashley Stewart — Board Member
- Marcia Brumit Kropf — Chair, Program Strategy Committee
- Michael Kessler — Board Member
- Tess Frazier — Board Member
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- After School Professional Development Program (ASPDP) Partner — Collaborated with ASPDP of the NYC DOE to offer "Authenticity in the Classroom" professional development courses for educators.
- Lisa Walsh Partner — Artist who donated creative works to the Gifts of Authenticity online store
- Lower East Side Preparatory High School Partner — Worked with the school in 2023 to deliver Authentic Advisories training to its entire faculty to support the development of a school-wide advisory program.
- Mark LaRiviere Partner — Artist who donated creative works to the Gifts of Authenticity online store
- Melissa Fandos Partner — Artist who donated a set of postcards to the Gifts of Authenticity online store
- Mount Holyoke Club of New York Partner — Co-hosted an event titled "Becoming the Adults Children Want to Talk To" in New York City on April 19, 2025.
- Mount Holyoke Club of New York Partner — Co-hosted an event titled "Becoming the Adults Children Want to Talk To" in New York City.
- New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations Government — Presented testimony on the impact of COVID-19 on arts education in New York City.
- New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations Government — Presented testimony to this committee on the impact of COVID-19 on art and cultural education programming.
- New York City Department of Education Government — Approved vendor for the Safe & Supportive Schools Professional Development Program.
- New York City Department of Education Partner — Partnered as a vendor for the NYC DOE Safe & Supportive Schools program to deliver professional development.
- New York City Department of Education Partner — Partnered with the NYC DOE to deliver professional development programs, including "Authenticity in the Classroom," through the After School Professional Development Program (ASPDP) and Multiple Task Award Contracts (MTACs).
- The Ruffled Brit Partner — Creator who donated a hand crocheted scarf to the Gifts of Authenticity online store
- Xavier de Callatay Partner — Artist who donated creative works to the Gifts of Authenticity online store
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.
- Adult Modeling of Authenticitymethodology: adult-authenticity-modelingBy having adults model authentic, imperfect behavior in educational settings, children develop greater belonging and courage to express their true selves because visible adult vulnerability normalizes authenticity and builds relational trust.
- Authenticity-Based Social-Emotional Learning (AB-SEL)methodology: authenticity-based_social-emotional_learningBy integrating self-expression, self-reflection, and identity affirmation into social-emotional learning, we foster belonging, empathy, and courage in children and adults because seeing oneself and one's experiences reflected in education strengthens engagement and personal growth.
- Co-Creative, Child-Centered Learning Environmentsmethodology: co-creative learning environmentsBy co-creating learning spaces that integrate freedom and support for self-expression, children sustain authentic identities because participatory environments empower agency and reduce conformity pressures.
- Creative Self-Expression as Identity Developmentmethodology: creative-self-expression-and-researchBy using creativity, research, and personal narrative to explore internalized societal expectations, individuals develop empathy and authentic identity because structured creative exploration enables critical self-reflection and liberation from limiting norms.