irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $130KTHROUGH OUR PROGRAMMING, WE ADDRESS RISK FACTORS IN THE LIVES OF UNDERRESOURCED YOUTH AND HELP INCREASE SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT AND CAREER SUCCESS FOR YOUTH OF LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES.
- #2 $5KWE PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATIVES WITHIN OUR NETWERK, AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.
named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Werks
Donation-based dance class in Chicago that prioritizes emotional well-being and community connection over technical perfection, taught weekly by Mike D Chicago at Healthy Hood Chicago.
Professional Development for Creatives
Program providing training, mentorship, and performance opportunities to artists within the Creative Netwerk, supporting career growth in the arts and entertainment industry.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Dance Performance and Community Engagement 2 activities
- Community-based dance education and classesOffers weekly dance classes, workshops, and residency programs in multiple cities including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Scottsdale, AZ, focused on neighborhood-originated dance forms such as Lite Feet and Chicago Footwork. Programming includes donation-based classes like Community Werks at Healthy Hood Chicago and public Chicago Footwork classes and sessions in collaboration with local partners.
- Cultural events and dance battlesProduces cultural events and dance battles such as Footwork Frenzy, an all-styles battle and session event showcasing stand-up and floor footwork styles, to bring communities together and celebrate local cultural expression through dance.
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Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
- Arts education and workforce development for youthProvides arts education, DJ education, dance instruction, performance opportunities, and workforce development initiatives for young people across the United States, reaching thousands of youth annually. Operates a teaching artist roster in Los Angeles and offers structured programming to expand access to street dance and DJ culture.
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Published Narrative Projects 1 activity
- Creation of educational cultural resourcesDeveloped the first-ever Chicago Footwork book for children, serving as a research-based educational resource to document and share local dance culture with younger audiences.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Professional development for creatives and teaching artistsOffers professional development opportunities for creatives, teaching artists, and students in the arts and entertainment industry to support growth, diversification, and career advancement. Programs are delivered in cities including New York City and through broader national initiatives.
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Youth Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth development through arts and dance programmingProvides comprehensive youth programming that cultivates self-esteem, promotes healthy lifestyles, encourages creative expression, supports goal achievement, fosters belonging, and expands perspectives through community service and the arts. Programs specifically address risk factors and improve school engagement and career success for youth in low-income communities, with in-school, after-school, and community-based trial programs offered in partnership with local organizations.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Expansion of community programming operationsExpanded programming operations into Arizona, hosting weekly community programs at multiple public parks in Scottsdale, including Vista Del Camino Park, Cactus Park & Rec, and Mountain View Park, from April through May.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$941K
Contributions & grants$510K54%
Program service revenue$429K46%
Investment income$2K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$886K
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$674K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$583K
Cash$523K
Investments$0
Liabilities$39K
Net assets$544K
Liquid reserves7.1 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +29.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KELLI FORMAN | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $83K |
board members · 8
- ANTHONY DENERO — BOARD MEMBER
- DEBBIE LIU — BOARD SECRET
- ERNESTO DURAN — PRESIDENT
- JUNIOUS BRICKHOUSE — BOARD TREASU
- KENT JONES — BOARD MEMBER
- PAMELA DILLMAN HASKELL — BOARD MEMBER
- RICHARD REEVES — BOARD MEMBER
- TIFFANY JOHNSON — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 44
Who they work with
- ASAP After School Programs Partner — Partner in delivering after-school programming for youth.
- After School Matters Partner — Site partner for Creative Netwerk programming in Chicago
- Austin College & Career High School Partner — Site partner for Creative Netwerk programming in Chicago
- Beidler Elementary School Partner — Site partner for Creative Netwerk programming in Chicago
- Boys & Girls Club Partner — Site partner for Creative Netwerk programming in Chicago
- Boys & Girls Club of Harlem Partner — Hosts Creative Netwerk's youth-focused dance and cultural activities.
- Brooklyn College Partner — Partner institution for Creative Netwerk's dance and cultural programs.
- CFology Partner — Collaborates with Creative Netwerk by offering online Chicago Footwork camps and educational programming featuring international teaching artists.
- California Arts Council Funder — State-level arts funding agency supporting Creative Netwerk.
- City of Santa Barbara Funder — Municipal funder supporting the Santa Barbara chapter.
- City of Santa Barbara Government — Supported Creative Netwerk’s programming growth through funding and partnership
- City of Scottsdale Parks and Registration Partner — Collaborates to offer weekly programs at city parks in Scottsdale
- Community Werks Partner — Collaborates with Creative Netwerk on public Chicago Footwork classes and sessions in Chicago
- Creation Global Partner — Collaborative relationship through shared leadership and programming in Chicago Footwork culture.
- DP Foundation Funder — Private foundation funder supporting Creative Netwerk.
- Des Moines Performing Arts Partner — Partner in delivering in-school and after-school programming for youth.
- Des Moines Public Schools Partner — Partner in delivering in-school and after-school programming for youth.
- Dunlevy Milbank Community Center Partner — Community partner hosting Creative Netwerk's dance and cultural programming.
- Eastside Boys & Girls Club Partner — Community site hosting Creative Netwerk programs.
- Eichholz Foundation Funder — Private foundation funder of the Santa Barbara chapter.
- Fun In The Sun Partner — Program partner hosting Creative Netwerk activities at multiple sites.
- Goleta Unified School District Partner — Partner school district hosting Creative Netwerk programs at multiple schools.
- Healthy Hood Chi Partner — Collaborates with Creative Netwerk on public Chicago Footwork classes and sessions in Chicago
- Healthy Hood Chicago Partner — Hosts the Community Werks dance class in partnership with Creative Netwerk.
- Icrisis Partner — Site partner for Creative Netwerk programming in Chicago
- King Towers Community Center Partner — Hosts weekly Creative Netwerk dance classes on Wednesdays.
- Kirby Jones Foundation Funder — Private foundation funder of the Santa Barbara chapter.
- Leni Fe Bland Foundation Funder — Private foundation funder supporting the Santa Barbara chapter.
- Live And Believe Wellness Partner — Site partner for Creative Netwerk programming in Chicago
- Mainframe Studios Partner — Partner in delivering in-school and after-school programming for youth.
+ 14 more
strategies · 3
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.
- Arts-Based Youth Development with Holistic Supportmethodology: creative_youth_developmentBy integrating dance and DJing with youth development frameworks and workforce training, the organization improves educational and career outcomes for underresourced youth because creative engagement increases motivation, self-esteem, and sustained participation in supportive programming.
- Culturally Rooted Creative Engagementmethodology: culturally_rooted_engagementBy using culturally specific dance forms such as Black social dance and neighborhood-originated styles like Lite Feet, the organization fosters intergenerational healing, cultural memory, and community belonging because shared cultural heritage increases relevance, trust, and emotional resonance among participants.
- Healing-Centered Arts Pedagogymethodology: healing_centered_engagementBy creating safe, joyful, and relationally grounded environments through teaching artists and community-centered classes, the organization promotes emotional openness, healing, and personal reconnection because psychological safety accelerates vulnerability and artistic expression, particularly among underserved youth.