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ALVIN AILEY DANCE FOUNDATION INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 132584273 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE A620 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Large ($10M-$50M) · alvinailey.org
revenue
$48.1M
expenses
$55.6M
net assets
$226.9M
employees
824
volunteers
54
program ratio
79%
mission · from form 990

ALVIN AILEY DANCE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO FURTHER THE PIONEERING VISION OF ALVIN AILEY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation advances the legacy of Alvin Ailey by promoting dance as a universal art form accessible to all. The organization operates through four core pillars: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, and community outreach programs. It presents performances globally, trains dancers at all levels, and delivers dance education to diverse populations across the United States and internationally.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $18.26M
    AILEY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS: SEE SCHEDULE OTHROUGH THE AILEY SCHOOL, ITS ENTENSIVE ARTS IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND THE AILEY EXTENSION, THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO BRINGING DANCE INTO THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. FOUNDED IN 1969, THE AILEY SCHOOL IS AN ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONAL MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF DANCE AND SERVES AS THE OFFICIAL SCHOOL OF THE ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER. THE SCHOOL OFFERS MORE THAN 300 CLASSES WEEKLY FOR AGES 3 THROUGH 25 IN A BROAD RANGE OF DANCE TECHNIQUES. THE SCHOOL'S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE FOR TALENTED AND DESERVING STUDENTS; APPROXIMATELY 200 SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED EACH YEAR AND THE MAJORITY OF FINACIAL ASSISTANCE GOES TO MINORITY STUDENTS. IN CONJUCTION WITH FORDHAM UNIVERSITY, THE AILEY SCHOOL ALSO OFFERS A BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS DEGREE IN DANCE. EACH YEAR, AILEY ARTS IN EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THEIR CREATIVE POTENTIAL, BUILD SELF-ESTEEM, AND DEVELOP LIFE-SKILLS SUCH AS TEAMWORK AND SELF-DISCIPLINE. PROGRAMS INCLUDE AILEYCAMP, A UNIQUE SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM FOR UNDERSERVED CHILDREN IN MAJOR CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES; AILEY DANCE KIDS, WHICH PRESENTS DANCE CLASSES AND CROSS-CURRICULAR LESSONS TO APPROXIMATELY 4,000 PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NY AND NJ; REVELATIONS: AN INTERDISCIPLICARY APPROACH, A CURRICULUM-BASED INITIATIVE THAT USES ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER'S SIGNATURE PIECE TO TEACH ACADEMIC SUBJECTS IN CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE AILEY EXTENSION OFFERS DANCE AND FITNESS CLASSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WITH MORE THAN 80 CLASSES EACH WEEK IN A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES INCLUDING HORTON, BALLET, WEST AFRICAN, AND ZUMBA. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2005, MORE THAN 125,000 PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN CLASSES THROUGH THE AILEY EXTENSION.
  2. #2 $2.86M
    AILEY II: SEE SCHEDULE OLAUNCHED BY MR. AILEY IN 1974, AILEY II IS NOW UNIVERSALLY RENOWNED FOR MERGING THE COUNTRY'S BEST YOUNG DANCE TALENT WITH THE CREATIVE VISION OF TODAY'S MOST OUTSTANDING EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHERS. AILEY II IS COMPRISED OF 12 OF THE AILEY SCHOOL'S MOST PROMISING SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS AND REACHES AUDIENCES IN MORE THAN 40 CITIES EACH YEAR ACROSS THE U.S. AND ABROAD. THE COMPANY OFFERS ITS DANCER INVALUABLE PERFORMING AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND CRUCIAL TRAINING, CREATING A BRIDGE FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE STAGE.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Ailey Arts in Education & Community Programs
Outreach initiative providing dance education to youth and older adults through partnerships with schools and community organizations
Ailey Extension
Open dance classes for people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, held at The Joan Weill Center for Dance
Ailey II
Second company that performs works by emerging and established choreographers, serving as a bridge for young dancers to professional careers
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
World-renowned dance company performing modern works, including Alvin Ailey’s "Revelations," in New York and on international tours
The Ailey School
Professional and junior division training programs offering multidisciplinary dance education for students ages 3–25
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Original Dance Performance Production 3 activities
    • Choreograph and premiere original dance works
      Commissions and presents original choreographic works by company leaders and guest artists, including world premieres such as *Song of the Anchorite* by Jamar Roberts and *Blink of an Eye* by Medhi Walerski, as well as new productions of existing works like *A Case of You*.
    • Operate professional dance companies
      Manages and produces performances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, its founding company, and Ailey II, which features emerging and established choreographers. These companies perform a diverse repertoire and tour nationally and internationally.
    • Present domestic and international dance performances
      Stages professional dance performances domestically and internationally, including annual New York City residencies, international tours to cities such as London, Zurich, and Brussels, and appearances at festivals like BAAND Together. Repertoire includes signature works such as *Revelations*, as well as new and classic pieces by Alvin Ailey and contemporary choreographers.
  • Ballet and Dance Education Programs 2 activities
    • Offer public and community-based dance programs
      Provides open dance classes to the public through Ailey Extension and delivers arts-in-education and community outreach programs in partnership with schools, older adult facilities, and community organizations, reaching over 10,000 participants annually.
    • Provide professional dance training through The Ailey School
      Offers professional dance education through The Ailey School, preparing students for careers in dance. The program includes training by former company members and specialists, with alumni going on to perform in major dance companies, Broadway, and Ailey ensembles.
  • Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
    • Maintain a permanent dance education and performance facility
      Operates The Joan Weill Center for Dance in New York City as a permanent home for dance education, training, and rehearsal, supporting the organization’s companies, school, and community programs.
  • Dance Performance and Community Engagement 1 activity
    • Produce student and training performances
      Organizes and stages performances by students from The Ailey School, Ailey Extension, and the Junior Division Summer Intensive Program, including the Summer Sizzler performances featuring repertory and workshop pieces choreographed by NYC-based artists.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$48.08M
Contributions & grants$13.22M28%
Program service revenue$23.49M49%
Investment income$11.29M23%
Other revenue$72K
expenses
Total expenses$55.63M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$29.50M
Grants paid out$1.77M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$260.78M
Cash$8.09M
Investments$190.93M
Liabilities$33.84M
Net assets$226.93M
Liquid reserves42.9 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +29.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 11
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
BENNETT RINK TRUSTEE/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $696K
ROBERT BATTLE TRUSTEE/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR (TO 11/23) 40 $595K
PAMELA ROBINSON CFO/TREASURER 40 $354K
INES ASLAN SCHWED CHIEF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER 40 $312K
MATTHEW RUSHING ACTING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 40 $267K
CHAD J SUTTON DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 40 $266K
CHRISTOPHER ZUNNER DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS 40 $255K
ELENA M PAUL ESQ GEN COUNSEL/SECRETARY TO 2/24 40 $242K
ERIC D WRIGHT AAADT GENERAL MANAGER 40 $228K
PRITAL CHOHAN-AZAD DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 40 $218K
MICHAEL CANAROZZI FACILITY DIRECTOR 40 $215K
board members · 14
  • ANTHONY KENDALL — PRESIDENT
  • ANTHONY LEWIS — TRUSTEE
  • ARTHUR MIRANTE II — VICE CHAIR
  • CARA SABIN — TRUSTEE
  • DANIELLE ROBINSON PHD — TRUSTEE
  • DARIA WALLACH — CHAIR
  • DEJUAN WILSON — TRUSTEE
  • EDNA KANE WILLIAMS — TRUSTEE
  • ELEANOR APPLEWHAITE — TRUSTEE
  • GUNTHER BRIGHT — TRUSTEE
  • JACK PITTS — TRUSTEE
  • JAISHRI KAPOOR — VICE CHAIR
  • JEAN-RENE ZETRENNE — TRUSTEE
  • JOAN WEILL — TRUSTEE
relationships · 18

Who they work with

  • Ailey II Partner — Alumni from The Ailey School perform with Ailey II, indicating a training and talent pipeline.
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Partner — Shared faculty and alumni pathway between The Ailey School and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
  • American Ballet Theatre Partner — Joint performance partner at the BAAND Together Dance Festival.
  • Ballet Hispánico Partner — Alumni from The Ailey School perform with Ballet Hispánico, indicating a professional pathway relationship.
  • Ballet Hispánico Partner — Joint performance partner at the BAAND Together Dance Festival.
  • Complexions Contemporary Ballet Partner — Alumni from The Ailey School perform with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, indicating a professional pathway relationship.
  • Dance Theatre of Harlem Partner — Joint performance partner at the BAAND Together Dance Festival.
  • Forest National Partner — Venue hosting Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performances in Brussels, Belgium.
  • Forest National Partner — Venue partner hosting Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performances in Brussels
  • Joan Weill Government — Chairman Emerita after whom the permanent home of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was named.
  • Martha Graham Dance Company Partner — Alumni from The Ailey School perform with Martha Graham Dance Company, indicating a professional pathway relationship.
  • New York City Ballet Partner — Joint performance partner at the BAAND Together Dance Festival.
  • Sadler's Wells Theatre Partner — Hosted Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for a performance season
  • Sadler's Wells Theatre Partner — Hosted Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for a performance season in London, UK.
  • Theater 11 Zürich Partner — Host venue for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's performance in Zürich, Switzerland.
  • community organizations Partner — Partner organizations collaborating on outreach programs to deliver dance programming.
  • hundreds of schools Partner — Partner organizations in outreach programs delivering dance education and experiences.
  • older adult facilities Partner — Partner organizations in outreach programs providing dance activities for older adults.
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.

  • Culture Through Dance
    methodology: culture-through-arts
    By using dance as a medium for cultural expression, the organization shares the African American experience and fosters inclusion, because embodied art forms uniquely communicate historical and social narratives while building communal identity.
  • Inclusive Access via Community Partnerships
    methodology: inclusive_access_through_dance
    By delivering dance programs through partnerships with schools, senior facilities, and community organizations, the organization expands access across age, race, and background, because meeting people where they are removes structural and cultural barriers to participation.
  • Mixed Repertoire Engagement
    methodology: repertory_mixed_programming
    By presenting a blend of new choreographic works and beloved signature pieces, the organization engages diverse audiences and sustains artistic relevance, because balancing innovation with tradition attracts both new attendees and retains loyal patrons.
  • Professional Integration Through Training
    methodology: professional-integration-training
    By integrating professional choreographers’ works into student training, the organization prepares emerging dancers for real-world practice, because direct exposure to current professional repertory builds technical and artistic readiness for careers in dance.