named programs · 11 · from sources
What they call their work
College Prep
Support for high school students applying to college, including essay help, SAT prep, and life skills training.
Fivey Magazine
Creative writing and art publication created by youth and mentors, fostering literacy and self-expression.
Homework Help
After-school academic support with tutoring and homework assistance available weekdays.
New Platforms
8-week skill-based programs in areas like songmaking, filmmaking, stage combat, and storytelling, each ending in a public presentation.
One-on-Ones
Summer program pairing youth with adult artists to co-create and perform short musicals.
Playback
Youth write and perform original pieces with adult partners, often developed during retreats.
Playmaking
Gateway program for 9- to 10-year-olds teaching playwriting; culminates in public performances of original plays.
Scholarships
Provides financial support for Project Members pursuing higher education, including the Ron Black Memorial Scholarship and the Henry and Gloria Jacobs Scholarship.
Smart Partners
One-on-one mentoring program pairing youth with adult volunteers for weekly creative and personal development activities.
Teen Employment
Work experience program for teens ages 14–18 as receptionists, ushers, and class assistants.
Teen Ensemble
Two-year advanced performance program where teens devise and perform a full-length original play.
activities · 12 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 3 activities
- Annual out-of-town retreats and performancesOrganizes annual week-long out-of-town retreats for youth participants, including housing, transportation, and supply procurement, culminating in the rehearsal and performance of original plays or musicals.
- Publication of program replication guidesProduces and publishes practical guides for replicating its theater programs with children and teenagers, distributed through Dramatist Play Service to support broader use.
- Youth theater and creative arts programsOffers free, ongoing creative and youth development programming including playwriting, musical theater, filmmaking, poetry, and stage combat, culminating in public performances. Programs include the nine-week Playmaking course for children aged 9–10, the Teen Ensemble for advanced performance and technical theater skills, and New Platforms for discipline-specific artistic exploration.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Academic and college support servicesProvides daily homework help, one-on-one tutoring, SAT preparation through a partnership with Bespoke Education Inc., college application and essay support, and a Life Skills course for graduating seniors covering financial literacy, safety, and organization.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Awarding scholarships for post-secondary educationFunds post-secondary education through the Ron Black Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Henry and Gloria Jacobs Scholarship, awarding over $500,000 in total to date to program participants based on merit, need, or university-specific criteria.
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Performing Arts Archival Preservation 1 activity
- Digital archive of productionsMaintains a digital archive of programs from nearly all theatrical productions created by the organization, preserving historical and artistic records.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Free participation and admission policyEnsures free participation in all programs and free admission to all performances for youth and audiences.
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Youth-Led Student Publications 1 activity
- Free publications by youth participantsProduces and publishes two periodicals created by children: Fivey Magazine and Twoey Tidbits: The 52nd Street Project Zine, featuring stories, poems, drawings, and creative writing from youth participants.
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Youth One-on-One Mentoring 1 activity
- Mentoring and youth development programsRuns the Smart Partners mentoring program, established in 1997, which pairs youth members with adult mentors for weekly meetings focused on goal-setting, shared activities, and long-term relationship building.
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Performing Arts Venue Rental 1 activity
- Operation of dedicated theater facilityOperates the Five Angels Theater, a 160-seat black-box theater with lighting and sound systems, lobby event space, and two rehearsal rooms—including one with a dance floor and mirrored wall—opened as a permanent facility in 2010.
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Archival Digitization and Preservation 1 activity
- Photography and illustration useUses photography and illustration from various contributors over multiple decades for website and archival content.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Podcast production by youthProduces a podcast that documents youth participants creating and exploring theater and other art forms, featuring interviews, stories, and performances by youth members.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer engagementEngages hundreds of volunteers annually who contribute their talents and expertise to support youth programming and operations.
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Youth Workforce Readiness Programs 1 activity
- Youth employment opportunitiesOffers paid employment roles to teen participants aged 14–18 as receptionists, ushers, class assistants, and homework helpers, providing work experience within the organization.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.84M
Contributions & grants$1.19M65%
Program service revenue$211K11%
Investment income$430K23%
Other revenue$9K
expenses
Total expenses$2.88M
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$1.72M
Grants paid out$26K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$17.76M
Cash$274K
Investments$6.30M
Liabilities$2.84M
Net assets$14.92M
Liquid reserves27.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +74.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROL OCHS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $449K |
| JOHN SHEEHY | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $219K |
| NATALIE HIRSCH | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | 40 | $123K |
board members · 20
- ALEXANDRA VASSILAROS — BOARD MEMBER
- ANNIE HAUSMANN — BOARD MEMBER
- BILLY CRUDUP — BOARD MEMBER
- CAROLYN C DESENA — BOARD MEMBER
- CATHY DANTCHIK — CO-CHAIR
- JOSE SOTO JR — BOARD MEMBER
- KOREY JACKSON — BOARD MEMBER
- LISA BENAVIDES — BOARD MEMBER
- LOUIS P FRIEDMAN — CO-CHAIR
- MARGARET ODETTE — BOARD MEMBER
- MARK WHATLEY — TREASURER
- MICAH KROEZE — BOARD MEMBER
- NOEL MIHALOW — SECRETARY
- RACHEL CHANOFF — BOARD MEMBER
- ROBERT GOLDBERG — BOARD MEMBER
- STEPHEN GRAHAM — CHAIRPERSON EMERITUS
- Shirley Rumierk — Board Member
- VALERIE KAY — AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR
- WENDY VANDEN HEUVEL — BOARD MEMBER
- WILLIE REALE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- ART/NY Network — The 52nd Street Project is a member of ART/NY, a service organization for New York City’s nonprofit arts groups.
- Bespoke Education Inc. Partner — Partners with The 52nd Street Project to provide SAT preparation and Life Skills courses for high school members.
- Box and Pixel Partner — Developed the organization's website.
- Dramatist Play Service Partner — Distributes the organization's published replication materials for theater programs with children and teenagers.
- Ensemble Studio Theatre Partner — Provided early cooperation and support for The 52nd Street Project, enabling outreach to neighborhood children.
- Five Angels Theater Partner — Owns and oversees the rental of the Five Angels Theater and rehearsal space.
- George Babiak Partner — Created prop designs and photographed children with props.
- Instagram Partner — Used to share updates and information about The 52nd Street Project
- Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share updates and content about the organization
- IntraCommunities, Inc. Partner — Provided website hosting, implementation, and technical guidance.
- Iris A. Brown Design Partner — Provided creative direction and design for the organization's website.
- National Endowment for the Arts Government — Awarded The 52nd Street Project the Coming Up Taller Award in 1998 and provides ongoing grant support.
- Police Athletic League’s Duncan Center Partner — Served as an across-the-street neighbor and early collaborator in implementing The 52nd Street Project’s programs.
- YouTube Partner — Partners with YouTube to live-stream public performances and share podcast content.
- YouTube Partner — Platform for sharing programs and performances by The 52nd Street Project
- YouTube Partner — Uses YouTube to stream and archive performances and events
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.
- Arts as a Tool for Community Building and Empathymethodology: arts-for-community-buildingBy engaging youth and adult volunteers in co-creating original performances, the organization uses theater to build community, foster empathy, and promote mutual understanding across generations and backgrounds.
- Arts-Based Youth Development Through Professional Collaborationmethodology: arts-based_youth_developmentBy pairing youth with professional theater artists to co-create original theater, the organization fosters creative collaboration, personal development, and a sense of belonging, which together promote engagement and inclusion.
- Removal of Financial Barriers to Ensure Equitable Accessmethodology: free-access_modelBy offering all programs and performances free of charge, the organization eliminates financial barriers to participation, ensuring inclusive access and sustained engagement for children and families regardless of economic status.
- Youth-Centered Long-Term Mentoring and Sequential Engagementmethodology: long-term_mentoringBy providing a progressive, long-term pathway of mentoring and arts engagement—from introductory playmaking to advanced performance—the organization builds sustained relationships that strengthen self-worth, life skills, and attitudes toward learning.