irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $42KNational Network: The Dancing Classrooms National Network & Training Institute supports affiliate sites and educators across the country through curriculum and marketing resources, teaching artist and site director training, and monthly office hours. The network encourages collaboration and sharing of best practices to strengthen program quality nationwide. Through the National Network, an additional 20,000+ students receive Dancing Classrooms social dance programs.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Dancing Classrooms Academy
Extension program for students who completed a residency, offering weekend and school break classes to deepen dance and leadership skills, explore global dance styles, and build cross-borough friendships in NYC.
Dancing Classrooms National Network & Training Institute
Supports affiliate sites and educators across the U.S. with curriculum resources, teaching artist training, site director workshops, and monthly office hours to strengthen program quality and share best practices.
Dancing With Rhythms & Stories
In-school residency for K-3rd grade students using creative movement and global social dances to build social-emotional skills, literacy connections, and cultural awareness through 16 scaffolded lessons culminating in an informal sharing event.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Ballet and Dance Education Programs 6 activities
- After-school and summer Social Dance ClubsRuns after-school and summer Social Dance Clubs for K–12 students in partnership with schools and community-based organizations, using games and structured instruction to teach salsa, bachata, hip hop, Lindy Hop, and other social dances, building dance, social, and leadership skills over time.
- Creative movement residency for K–3 studentsOffers a creative movement-based in-school residency program for K–3 students that introduces foundational dance elements, uses rhythms from social and folk dances, and supports cultural awareness, creativity, and teamwork through dance-making, aligned to grade-specific curricular themes.
- Curriculum and educator support for affiliate sitesProvides curriculum and marketing resources, teaching artist and site director training, monthly office hours, and professional development workshops for educators to support implementation of social dance programs at affiliate sites nationwide.
- Dancing Classrooms Academy for student advancementOperates the Dancing Classrooms Academy, offering weekend and school break extension classes for students to advance their dance and leadership skills, learn global dance styles, and build cross-borough peer relationships.
- Homeroom Edition virtual residenciesProvides virtual Social Ballroom residencies launched in spring 2020, offered in packages of 14 or 20 sessions, designed with 30-minute lessons to reduce screen fatigue, teaching six styles of social dance (Merengue, Fox Trot, Rumba, Tango, Swing, and Waltz), with individual feedback from Teaching Artists and concluding in virtual celebrations or family-friendly dance parties.
- Social Ballroom dance residency for grades 4–8Delivers a 10-week, 20-session social ballroom dance residency to upper elementary and middle school students (grades 4–8), meeting twice weekly during school hours, teaching ten styles of dance including merengue, foxtrot, swing, salsa, waltz, and tango to build confidence, self-awareness, and collaboration skills, culminating in a showcase performance where every student participates.
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Intergenerational Connection Programs 1 activity
- Family Workshops in social danceOffers customizable Family Workshops in social dance for all ages, teaching 2–3 dances to multi-generational or caregiver-specific groups, designed to strengthen family and community relationships through fun, teamwork, laughter, and mutual respect.
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Regional Chapter Network Support 1 activity
- National affiliate network supporting social dance programsPartners with schools and community organizations to deliver social dance programming to over 14,000 students annually in the NYC Metro area and thousands more nationally through a network of affiliates, reaching over 700,000 young people worldwide to date.
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Art Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Sensory-based dance program for students with Autism Spectrum DisorderProvides a specialized sensory-based dance program for elementary students (K–5) with Autism Spectrum Disorder, integrating dance therapy, social dance, and cultural learning, led by two teaching artists per session focusing on merengue, rumba, or tango to support engagement and social development.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.97M
Contributions & grants$764K39%
Program service revenue$984K50%
Investment income$50K3%
Other revenue$173K
expenses
Total expenses$2.06M
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising16%
Salaries & benefits$1.63M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.77M
Cash$1.40M
Investments$0
Liabilities$60K
Net assets$1.71M
Liquid reserves8.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +20.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nancy Kleaver | Executive Director Former | 40 | $123K |
| Eve Wolff | Executive Director | 40 | $119K |
| Ellen Claycomb | Development Director | 40 | $118K |
board members · 14
- Adam Plotkin — Trustee
- Adeola Adele — Trustee
- Biana Arbit — Trustee
- Carla Matero — Trustee
- Emma Goodman — Trustee
- Harry Chung — Treasurer Until 1024
- Jeff Poulin — Trustee
- Jephtha Tausig — Chair
- Mary Prevosti Shelton — Trustee
- Patrice Tanaka — Vice Chair
- Regina Hardatt — Secretary
- Ron Aizen — Trustee
- Yang Chen — Trustee
- Yash Gupta — Treasurer
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- American Ballroom Theater Company Partner — Original parent organization under which the Dancing Classrooms program was launched in 1994.
- Classroom Teachers Partner — Collaborates with classroom teachers during residency sessions, including co-facilitation and coordination through orientation and check-ins.
- Dancing Classrooms National Network Network — National network of affiliate sites and educators delivering Dancing Classrooms programs.
- Dancing Classrooms Richmond Partner — Network partner organization delivering Dancing Classrooms programs locally.
- Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook to connect with alumni and share organizational updates.
- Google Classrooms Partner — Delivers Homeroom Edition program content through Google Classrooms and other remote learning platforms.
- Guidestar Network — Profile listed on Guidestar, indicating transparency and participation in the national nonprofit data network.
- Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share updates and engage with the Dancing Classrooms community.
- LinkedIn Partner — Hosts an alumni group on LinkedIn to support professional networking and community engagement.
- New York City Department of Education Partner — Aligns gender inclusion practices with NYC Department of Education guidelines.
- New York Community Trust Funder — Provided a 2022 grant to support the development of the Dancing With Rhythms & Stories program.
- New York State Education Department Government — References NYS Education Department's definition and framework for Culturally Responsive & Sustaining Education in its pedagogy.
- PS 1 Partner — School partner where students participate in dance, history, and etiquette instruction.
- PS 122Q Partner — School partner where the program addresses kindness and acceptance of difference through dance instruction.
- PS 155 Partner — School partner where students from diverse cultural backgrounds learn to communicate and collaborate through dance.
- PS 175 Partner — School partner where students develop emotional resilience and kindness through dance lessons.
- PS 41Q at Colors Of the Rainbow Partner — School partner where students report increased confidence and social connection through the program.
- PS 48 Partner — Longstanding school partner where Dancing Classrooms has delivered programming for 20 consecutive years.
- PS 9 Partner — School partner where students take risks and perform in a culminating event.
- TikTok Partner — Uses TikTok to reach audiences with updates and content related to the organization.
- Twitter Partner — Uses Twitter to disseminate news and updates to followers.
- agencies Partner — Partners with agencies to support access to dance and arts education.
- coalitions Partner — Works with coalitions that share the vision of inclusive arts education.
- community based organizations Partner — Collaborates with community-based organizations to offer Social Dance Clubs outside of school hours.
- community based organizations Partner — Collaborates with community-based organizations to provide dance education.
- corporate, foundation, and government supporters Funder — Receives financial support from corporate, foundation, and government entities.
- school and community based organizations Partner — Collaborates with schools and community-based organizations to deliver dance programming.
- schools Partner — Partners with schools to deliver Social Dance Clubs in after-school and summer settings.
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.
- Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Dance Educationmethodology: culturally_responsive_and_sustaining_educationBy teaching global social dances with attention to cultural origins and using gender-inclusive, non-assigned roles, students build cross-cultural understanding and equity literacy because the practice affirms diverse identities and disrupts traditional hierarchies in dance and social interaction.
- Integrated Arts-Academic Pedagogymethodology: integrated_academic_dance_pedagogyBy embedding literacy and numeracy into dance activities—such as counting steps or vocabulary development through movement—the program reinforces academic skills because kinesthetic learning strengthens cognitive retention and engagement, particularly in younger students.
- Social-Emotional Learning Through Social Dancemethodology: arts_based_social_emotional_learningBy using ballroom and social dance as an experiential practice, students develop social-emotional skills such as collaboration, respect, and acceptance of differences, because structured partner interaction in a joyful context reinforces empathy, self-esteem, and teamwork.