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JOSE LIMON DANCE FOUNDATION INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 237012069 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A116 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · limon.nyc
revenue
$1.8M
expenses
$1.9M
net assets
$801K
employees
55
volunteers
20
program ratio
72%
mission · from form 990

TO PRESERVE AND PRESENT THE WORKS OF JOSE LIMON, AND TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION IN THE LIMON PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUE.

profile · synthesized from sources

The José Limón Dance Foundation preserves and advances the legacy of choreographer José Limón through dance performance, education, and training. It operates the Limón Dance Company and Limón2, a second company for emerging professionals, while offering rigorous training programs in Limón technique for dancers of all levels. The foundation also provides arts education to underserved youth in New York City public schools through its Limón4Kids program.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $303K
    LIMON SCHOOL: THE LIMON INSTITUTE, FOUNDED IN 1985, IS AN EDUCATIONAL AND ARCHIVAL RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE NEW YORK CITY DANCE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. THE INSTITUTE OFFERS DAILY LIMON TECHNIQUE TRAINING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, AND CHRONICLES LIMON'S DEVOTION TO MODERN DANCE THROUGH ACTIVE DOCUMENTATION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. CENTRAL TO THESE PROGRAMS IS LIMON4KIDS, A FREE ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT UTILIZES DANCE AND THEATER AS A TOOL FOR SOCIAL ACTION. THROUGH THE INSTITUTE, THE COMPANY CONTINUES TO CELEBRATE AND ADVOCATE FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY, PROVIDE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE ARTISTIC AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND CULTIVATE NEW ARTISTS AND DANCE AUDIENCE MEMBERS.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Limón Training Programs (LimónPro and LimónLaunch)
Accredited, six-month immersive training program for dancers aged 18+ focusing on Limón technique, repertory, and principles, with options for fall and spring modules and a certificate of completion.
Limón2
Second company of the José Limón Dance Foundation dedicated to developing young professional dancers and generating innovative programming and community engagement.
Limón4Kids
Free arts education program for underserved youth in New York City public schools that uses dance and theater as tools for social action.
LimónNext
Intensive training program for dancers aged 13–17 focusing on Limón technique, repertory, and artistic development, held in New York City.
Winter Intensive
Five-day intensive program in December offering instruction in Limón technique, repertory, principles, and contemporary repertory for intermediate to advanced dancers.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Ballet and Dance Education Programs 2 activities
    • Limon technique and repertory training programs
      Offers ongoing training in Limón technique and repertory through accredited programs, intensives, and workshops for dancers and teachers at various levels, including a 6-month accredited training program for dancers aged 18+ and summer and winter intensives for intermediate and advanced dancers. The program awards a NASD-recognized Certificate of Completion to trainees who complete both terms and a research project.
    • Limón4Kids arts education program
      Provides free modern dance education programs for students in grades 2–12 in underserved New York City public schools and community centers, using dance and theater as tools for social action. The program includes residencies that conclude with student performances and annual invitations to attend Limón Dance Company performances.
  • Performing Arts Archival Preservation 1 activity
    • Archival and educational resource center
      Maintains and digitizes a collection of moving and still images, audio recordings, playbills, posters, choreographic notes, music scores, and production designs to serve as an educational and archival resource for the dance community. Reaches approximately 5,000 students and scholars annually through this archive and related programs.
  • Dance Performance and Community Engagement 1 activity
    • Limón2 performance company and young artist development
      Operates Limón2, a second company established in the 80th anniversary year, to develop young dance professionals and provide innovative, accessible programming. Offers one-on-one artistic development sessions with members of the Limón Dance Company and artistic director, college audition preparation, and performance opportunities including studio shares and main stage performances.
  • Arts Education Professional Development 1 activity
    • Professional development for dance educators
      Conducts workshops and training for K–12 and higher education movement teachers to learn Limón technique and develop inclusive, safe teaching practices with master teachers, including an annual Summer NYC Teachers Workshop.
  • Community Wellness Movement Classes 1 activity
    • Public and community dance programs
      Offers free outdoor dance classes for participants of all ages and skill levels, including weekly classes in Bryant Park and monthly classes at West Harlem Piers Park, as well as free drop-in participation options during intensives.
  • Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
    • Scholarship and financial support for dance training
      Provides merit- and need-based scholarships for participation in dance intensives and training programs, including the LimónNext intensive and winter intensive, with scholarship amounts ranging from $50 to $150.
  • Original Dance Performance Production 1 activity
    • Staging and commissioning dance performances
      Presents annual performance seasons featuring reconstructions of José Limón’s works and new commissions, including the 80th anniversary season at The Joyce Theater with Mazurkas and Aszure Barton’s Join. Produces performances by Limón2 that feature young dancers, iconic Limón works, and new choreography by emerging choreographers.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Leadership and organizational support
      Holds leadership roles within the Limón Dance Company and supports the Limón Dance Company and Limón Institute as core organizational entities, including serving as Rehearsal Director and Associate Artistic Director.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.76M
Contributions & grants$860K49%
Program service revenue$829K47%
Investment income$28K2%
Other revenue$40K
expenses
Total expenses$1.88M
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$1.24M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.02M
Cash$251K
Investments$403K
Liabilities$215K
Net assets$801K
Liquid reserves4.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +7.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MICHELLE PRESTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $121K
DANTE PULEIO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 40 $108K
board members · 10
  • CECILIA PICON — DIRECTOR
  • IVAN SACKS — CHAIR
  • JILL JAVIER — DIRECTOR
  • JONATHAN LEINBACH MD — DIRECTOR
  • KATRINA ROBINSON — DIRECTOR
  • KURT DOUGLAS — DIRECTOR
  • PAULA CARRICO — DIRECTOR
  • ROBERT MEISTER — TREASURER
  • SYLVIA ANN HEWLETT — DIRECTOR
  • TINA EVANS — SECRETARY
relationships · 20

Who they work with

  • Ambrose Akinmusire Partner — Collaborated as composer on the 2025 commissioned work Join.
  • Ambrose Akinmusire Partner — Collaborator on the creation of the 2025 commissioned work Join.
  • Aszure Barton Partner — Choreographer commissioned to create the new work Join.
  • Aszure Barton Partner — Collaborated on the creation of the new work Join.
  • Bryant Park Partner — Hosts free outdoor dance classes in collaboration with the José Limón Dance Foundation at the Northeast corner of the Lawn.
  • City College Center for the Arts Partner — Hosts annual performances by the Limón Dance Company for Limón4Kids school attendees.
  • Everett Center for the Performing Arts Partner — Hosts the Limón Winter Intensive at its facility in Harlem.
  • Joyce Theater Partner — Hosted the memorial event for Carla Maxwell in partnership with the José Limón Dance Foundation.
  • Kristen Foote Partner — Master teacher co-leading the NYC Teachers Workshop on Limón pedagogy and inclusive teaching practices.
  • Kurt Douglas Partner — Master teacher co-leading the NYC Teachers Workshop on Limón pedagogy and inclusive teaching practices.
  • Limón Dance Company Partner — Core performing entity supported by the Foundation and part of the Limón organizational structure.
  • Limón Dance Company Partner — Provides world-renowned company members to lead one-on-one artistic development sessions for young dancers in the LimónNext program.
  • Limón Institute Partner — Collaborates on teaching, staging repertory, and training through shared faculty and programming.
  • Limón Institute Partner — Educational and archival arm supported by the Foundation, delivering classes, workshops, and public programs.
  • National Association of Schools of Dance Network — Accredits the Limón Training Programs
  • New York City Public Schools Partner — Provides free arts education programming to underserved youth through collaboration with New York City public schools.
  • The Joyce Theater Partner — Venue partner for the company's performance season.
  • The Lovelies Partner — Lena Lauer, Director of the Limón Institute, co-founded The Lovelies, a dance improvisation company that collaborates nationally.
  • Vail International Dance Festival Partner — Stages works by José Limón as part of festival programming.
  • West Harlem Piers Park Partner — Collaborates with the José Limón Dance Foundation to host monthly outdoor dance classes at West 125th St. & Marginal St.
strategies · 5

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 for Social Action through Dance
    methodology: arts-for-social-action
    By using dance and theater as tools for social action, the organization engages underserved youth and fosters community transformation, because artistic expression creates pathways for empowerment, inclusion, and social change.
  • Embodied Leadership and Mentorship
    methodology: mentorship-based leadership
    By grounding leadership and company direction in deep mentorship and sustained embodiment of Limón’s artistic principles, the organization ensures long-term artistic integrity and dancer development, because personal investment in dancers’ growth fosters enduring commitment and excellence.
  • Inclusive Pedagogy and Culturally Responsive Teaching
    methodology: culturally-responsive_pedagogy
    By training educators in inclusive practices and centering Limón’s identity and movement-based learning, the organization fosters safe, expressive learning environments that affirm students’ cultural identities and promote equity in dance education, because pedagogy rooted in respect and representation increases engagement and belonging.
  • Legacy-Through-Innovation Model
    methodology: repertory_reconstruction
    By reconstructing and preserving José Limón’s original works while commissioning new pieces, the organization sustains artistic vitality and relevance, because balancing historical fidelity with contemporary creation deepens audience engagement and ensures cultural continuity.
  • Need-Based Access to Arts Training
    methodology: need-based_access
    By prioritizing scholarships for dancers facing financial, caregiving, medical, immigration, or community service barriers, the organization increases equity in access to professional dance training, because removing structural barriers enables broader participation and diversifies the field.