irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $47KAFTER THE INITIAL SUCCESS OF THEATER OF THE MIND IN 2022, THE YEAR WAS SPENT RECALIBRATING AND FOCUSING ON THE BEST NEXT STEPS FOR THE PRODUCTION, ENGAGING WITH SEVERAL POTENTIAL PRODUCING PARTNERS TO EXPLORE
named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Reasons to be Cheerful
Online solutions journalism magazine that reports on proven, replicable ideas and initiatives to inspire change. Funded by reader memberships, offering special content and event access in return.
Theater of the Mind
Immersive science-theater experience co-created by David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar that explores perception, identity, and cognition through narrative and sensory experiments. Audience members are guided through multi-room installations.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Experimental Circus and Immersive Theater Production 1 activity
- Develops and produces immersive science theater experiencesCo-creates and produces "Theater of the Mind," an immersive science theater experience for small audiences that uses narrative and sensory storytelling to explore human perception, memory, and identity, in collaboration with David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar.
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Performing Arts Production Support 1 activity
- Funds creative projects including "Reasons to be Cheerful" and "Theater of the Mind"Provides financial support and resources for the development and production of creative initiatives such as "Reasons to be Cheerful" and "Theater of the Mind," including planning and partnership development for future stages.
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Nonprofit Investigative & Community Journalism 1 activity
- Produces and operates "Reasons to be Cheerful" online magazineOperates an online magazine that reports on proven, replicable solutions to inspire change, launched as the foundation's first project. The publication uses journalism to cultivate curiosity, joy, and human connection.
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Membership Program Administration 1 activity
- Runs a membership program to support programmingOffers a membership program that provides supporters with special newsletters, event access, and giveaways in exchange for monthly contributions, fostering community engagement and sustainable funding.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$925K
Contributions & grants$797K86%
Program service revenue$126K14%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$776K
Program expenses61%
Admin / overhead29%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$65K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$509K
Cash$321K
Investments$0
Liabilities$347K
Net assets$161K
Liquid reserves5.0 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +8.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| REBECCA FAULKNER STARTED 624 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 29 | $33K |
| EMILY SIMONESS FM 124 TO 324 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 29 | $28K |
board members · 4
- ABIGAIL DISNEY — DIRECTOR
- DAVID BYRNE — PRESIDENT
- KAREN WONG — TREASURER
- MALUE ABENI BYRNE — SECRETARY
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Creative Time Partner — Rebecca Faulkner has supported Creative Time as a strategic development consultant.
- David Byrne Partner — Co-created "Theater of the Mind" with David Byrne, artist and former Talking Heads frontman.
- David Byrne Partner — Collaborates with or draws inspiration from David Byrne's creative projects such as Contemporary Color and Playing the Building.
- Denver Center for the Performing Arts Partner — Planned to open "Theater of the Mind" at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, originally scheduled for 2020 and postponed to 2022.
- Emily Simoness Partner — Contact person for discussing donations and support.
- Mala Gaonkar Partner — Co-created "Theater of the Mind" with writer Mala Gaonkar.
- On This Spot NYC Partner — Rebecca Faulkner has supported On This Spot NYC as a strategic development consultant.
- Reasons to be Cheerful Partner — Operates an online magazine focused on solutions-oriented journalism.
- Reasons to be Cheerful Partner — Supported project under The Arbutus Foundation's portfolio in 2026.
- Theater of the Mind Partner — Produces an immersive science theater experience exploring human perception.
- Theater of the Mind Partner — Supported project under The Arbutus Foundation's portfolio in 2026.
- play:groundNYC Partner — Rebecca Faulkner previously served as Executive Director at play:groundNYC, indicating a professional affiliation.
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.
- Interdisciplinary Incubation Network 37 orgsmethodology: interdisciplinary_creativityBy supporting unconventional, joy-centered projects through an interdisciplinary, rhizome-inspired network, we enable autonomous yet interconnected creative growth because diverse, collaborative ecosystems amplify innovation and resilience.shared approach: Collaborative Ecosystem Building →
- Collaborative Funding as Collective Actionmethodology: collaborative_fundingBy framing financial contributions as loving, committed collaboration, we multiply impact because shared values and collective ownership strengthen community investment and long-term sustainability.
- Immersive Sensory Storytelling for Reflective Engagementmethodology: immersive_sensory_storytellingBy using immersive, multi-sensory storytelling and participatory narratives, we provoke deep reflection on human perception, memory, and identity because embodied experiences enhance cognitive and emotional engagement more than passive formats.
- Solutions-Oriented Creative Engagementmethodology: solutions-oriented_creative_engagementBy integrating solutions-oriented journalism, performance, and the arts, we expand audiences’ perceptions of what is possible and inspire change because hopeful, evidence-based narratives foster agency and collective action.