irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $798KFREE ARTS DAYS:FREE ARTS DAYS ARE INTERACTIVE ARTS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 6-12. THROUGH ART PROJECTS AND ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING, THE DAY HELPS DEVELOP VISUAL LITERACY, CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND DESIGN SKILLS. THE ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP BUILDS PROTECTIVE FACTORS, SUCH AS COMMUNICATION SKILLS, COOPERATION, AND CONFIDENCE. THE PAIRS ARE GUIDED BY A CREATIVE PACKET WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE DAY'S THEME AND PROJECTS. THE CURRICULUM IS TIED TO THE COMMON CORE STANDARDS AND THE BLUEPRINT FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING.
named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Free Arts Days
Interactive arts education events for children ages 6–12 featuring child-directed art projects and one-on-one mentoring. Activities build visual literacy, creative problem-solving, and confidence, with curriculum aligned to Common Core standards. Includes in-person and virtual art kits distributed through community partners.
Teen Arts Program
Mentor-supported program for teens offering portfolio development, creative industry exposure through studio visits, and paid summer internships. Includes 21st-century skills workshops and networking opportunities with professionals in creative fields.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 2 activities
- Creative career exploration and professional exposureOrganizes Creative Career Workshops, studio visits, field trips, and company tours for 9th–12th grade students to expose them to careers in the creative industries. Partners with institutions like David Zwirner, Swiss Institute, Art Random, and Tiffany & Co. to provide hands-on experiences and networking opportunities with professionals.
- Paid internships and career readiness programs for youthOffers paid internships at creative companies for high school and college students, with 95% of program graduates securing their first paid job. Includes a 6-week summer Learning Pod program featuring career exposure, job training, project-based learning, and workshops in resume writing, financial literacy, mock interviews, and online presence building.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Annual Youth Showcase and public exhibitionsHosts an Annual Youth Showcase at Sotheby's since 2019, providing a professional platform for emerging young artists from Free Arts NYC to display their work and gain visibility in the art world.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Board governance and strategic supportProvides governance, strategic guidance, and philanthropic leadership to ensure organizational sustainability and mission alignment, supported by board members who engage in advocacy, fundraising, and mission-driven initiatives.
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Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
- Distribution of art supplies and remote programming supportDistributes thousands of art kits and backpacks to youth through collaborations with Supplies for Success and other partners, including six distributions per year to 21 community partners reaching 1,443 children each time. Also runs weekly virtual and in-person art classes and sends activity packets to ensure continued access to creative programming.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Free Arts Day events and community art engagementHosts Free Arts Day events across New York City, including an annual event in Madison Square Park where children aged 6–12 create art alongside exhibiting artists. Provides 1:1 art-making and mini-mentoring sessions during volunteer-led afternoons and events, reaching over 1,900 children annually through partnerships with schools, transitional housing facilities, and community organizations.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Fundraising through marathon team and donor engagementOperates a marathon team of 45 runners in partnership with The Athletic Club and the NYRR Marathon, supported by over 1,000 annual donors, raising nearly $200,000 since 2022 to fund youth programs and increase visibility for the organization’s mission.
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Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
- Scholarship and grant funding for student artistsFunds scholarships and grants for students engaged with Free Arts NYC, including the Futura for the Future Scholarship ($1,000 unrestricted funds annually to fifty college students), the Moyer Martinez Grant for young NYC artists, and three $1,500 architecture and design scholarships funded by artist mentor Amir Hariri and Kim Desmarais.
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Art Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Support for equitable program accessRemoves barriers to participation by providing transportation, technology, meals, art supplies, stipends for materials, and travel and lunch support for in-person meetings and internships, ensuring equitable access for youth in underserved communities.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer mentor recruitment and capacity buildingRecruits and supports volunteer mentors through training, curriculum, periodic check-ins, group workshops, and access to art opportunities. Engaged 1,951 volunteers who contributed 3,842 hours in 2024, with 73 mentors providing 2,264 hours specifically in the Teen Arts Program.
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Youth One-on-One Mentoring 1 activity
- Youth arts mentorship and college preparation programProvides a year-long 1:1 mentorship program for 7th and 11th graders, supporting them in building visual arts portfolios, applying to specialized high schools and colleges, and navigating the academic and creative pathways. In the 2024–2025 school year, 100% of participants were accepted to a school of their choice and demonstrated gains in self-esteem and self-management.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.52M
Contributions & grants$2.43M97%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$80K3%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$2.63M
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising17%
Salaries & benefits$1.64M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.81M
Cash$165K
Investments$1.23M
Liabilities$964K
Net assets$1.85M
Liquid reserves6.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +24.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIZBETH HOPFAN | FOUNDER & CEO | 40 | $217K |
| BRANDY BAJALIA | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $159K |
| TASHIERA HOWARD | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $114K |
| ERICK KONCZYK | FINANCE DIRECTOR | 25 | $82K |
| OLIVER PATTENDEN | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $73K |
board members · 10
- CAROL SUCHMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- DANA FINESILVER — PRESIDENT, CHAIR
- DAVID MIELKE — TREASURER
- DENZIL H WILSON — VICE CHAIR
- EDDIE MARTINEZ — BOARD MEMBER
- LINDA SCHAPS — BOARD MEMBER
- RENIER VAN ASWEGAN — BOARD MEMBER
- RICHARD SCHAPS — BOARD MEMBER
- SKY GELLATLY — BOARD MEMBER
- TRINA STORFER — SECRETARY
relationships · 164
Who they work with
- ARTNOIR Partner — Hosts interns or participates in the Learning Pod program
- Acacia Network Partner — Partner organization hosting Free Arts programs at Best Western / Sleep Inn Residence.
- Accenture Partner — Listed as a 2025 participating company in the Creative Lab program.
- Adrian Moens Partner — Hosted a studio visit with FREE ARTS NYC.
- Afterpay Funder — Funds mission through proceeds from limited-edition NFT collaborations with fashion designers during NYFW.
- Alexandra Grounds Partner — Conducted a painting workshop with FREE ARTS NYC.
- Amanita Gallery Partner — Hosts interns or participates in the Learning Pod program
- Amaury Sport Organisation Partner — Partnership to secure marathon spots for Free Arts NYC teams in Paris.
- Amir Hariri Partner — Artist and Free Arts mentor who, with his wife Kim Desmarais, funds three annual scholarships for students interested in architecture and design.
- Angel Otero Partner — Provided an exhibition tour at Hauser and Wirth for FREE ARTS NYC.
- Anne James New York Partner — Hosts interns or participates in the Learning Pod program
- Anthony Hart Partner — Conducted a painting workshop with FREE ARTS NYC.
- Arts & Letters 305 United Partner — School partner hosting Free Arts programs.
- Artspace Partner — Collaborates on artist print edition sales, with proceeds supporting Free Arts NYC programs.
- BFA Partner — Listed as a 2025 participating company in the Creative Lab program.
- BFA: Images Matter Partner — Hosts interns or participates in the Learning Pod program
- BNP Paribas Partner — Corporate partner that engages in volunteer activities, including art kit packing.
- BRIC Arts Media Partner — Hosts interns or participates in the Learning Pod program
- Blick Partner — Facilitates annual donation of art supplies through customer and store participation in a holiday art drive.
- Blick Art Materials Partner — Provides in-kind support of art materials to Free Arts NYC.
- Bloomberg Philanthropies Partner — Hosts a Free Arts Day event with employee volunteers.
- Blueprint Partner — Engages Creative Lab students in projects as part of the Learning Pod initiative.
- Bluestone Lane Partner — Hosts an annual gathering to support Team Free Arts NYC training and fundraising.
- Bluestone Lane Partner — Supports staff and marathon team through coffee donations and event hosting.
- Bonobos Partner — Corporate partner that participates in Art Parties, including making affirmation cards.
- Boulevard Family Residence Partner — Transitional housing site partner providing space for Free Arts programs.
- Brandy Bajalia Partner — Participated in a site visit with FREE ARTS NYC.
- COMPASS at PS 196 Partner — School-based program partner offering Free Arts services.
- Central Park East II Partner — School partner collaborating with Free Arts.
- Centric Brands Partner — Hosts interns or participates in the Learning Pod program
+ 134 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.
- 1:1 Art-Based Mentorship Modelmethodology: mentorship_through_art_educationBy pairing youth with mentors through sustained one-on-one relationships centered on creative expression, the organization fosters deeper engagement, personal development, and academic persistence because relational trust and individualized attention strengthen protective factors like confidence, communication, and cooperation.
- Barrier Reduction for Equitable Accessmethodology: equity-centered_accessBy removing structural and financial barriers—such as transportation, technology, and material costs—the organization increases equitable participation in arts programming because eliminating practical obstacles enables consistent engagement, especially among youth from underserved communities.
- Career Pathway Development in Creative Industriesmethodology: workforce_pipelineBy providing paid internships, career exposure, skill-building workshops, and professional network access, the organization prepares underrepresented youth for careers in the creative sector because early workforce integration and real-world experience build social capital and clarify viable career trajectories.