named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Afterschool Programs
Hands-on sewing and fashion arts programs for students in grades 1–8 offered in NYC public and private schools, focusing on resilience, sustainability, and creative skill-building.
Circle City Online Sewing Club
Virtual sewing club for children that combines skill-building with discussions about sustainability and environmental responsibility using upcycled materials.
Fashion Arts Workshop
Four-session intensive program for children aged 8–12 that guides them from fashion sketch to runway presentation.
In-Service & School Day Programs
Interdisciplinary classroom programs such as Textile Science for 1st Grade and Textiles in Colonial America for 4th Grade that integrate fashion with academic curricula.
Live programs in NYC
Community-based, hands-on sewing programs open to all children across New York City, designed to expand access to CIFA’s educational offerings.
Sunday Sew-in
Monthly event for adult sewists of all levels to bring their own projects, receive expert advice, and support CIFA’s mission.
activities · 1 group
What they do
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Community Art Education Workshops 4 activities
- Delivers in-school and afterschool fashion, sewing, and design education programs for K-12 students in New York CityProvides immersive, hands-on creative education in the culture and craft of clothing through in-school and afterschool programs across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Programs include grade-specific curricula such as Textile Science for 1st Grade and Textiles in Colonial America for 4th Grade, and serve students in both public and private schools with a focus on sustainability, resilience, and interdisciplinary learning.
- Hosts specialized fashion arts workshops and upcycling programs for childrenRuns intensive programs such as the Fashion Arts Workshop and the Circle City Upcycle Club, including a four-session workshop for ages 8–12 guiding participants from design sketch to runway presentation, and summer or club-based initiatives focused on creating items from upcycled fabrics and discussing environmental sustainability.
- Offers online and homeschool sewing and design programs for childrenRuns online fashion arts workshops and sewing classes, including a 4-week program where children design and sew a garment and present it in an online fashion show. Provides small-group instruction (maximum 4 students per teacher), weekly open lab hours, beginner-level instruction, and materials such as sewing kits, fabric, and trim. Also offers homeschool classes focused on practical skills like clothing repair and alterations.
- Provides project-based textile and fashion education to foster creativity, problem-solving, and life skillsTeaches children textiles, sewing, sustainability, and design through hands-on projects that build fine motor skills, critical thinking, math, art, and engineering competencies. Emphasizes creative development, self-expression, confidence-building, and stress reduction through logical production processes and small design projects.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$82K
Contributions & grants$25K31%
Program service revenue$57K69%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$79K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$4K
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$22K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$22K
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +31.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRITTA B WHEELER | SECRETARY | 10 | $2K |
relationships · 6
Who they work with
- New York City Department of Education Partner — Collaborates on in-service and school day programs delivered in NYC public schools.
- Pope Francis Government — Invokes Pope Francis's teaching on the integration of mind, heart, and hands as a guiding principle for the organization's educational approach.
- Public and private schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx Partner — Partners with schools across NYC to deliver afterschool sewing programs.
- Wix Partner — Provides website hosting and security services for the organization.
- info@thecifa.org Partner — Point of contact for school coordinators interested in hosting sewing clubs.
- underfunded schools Partner — Provides programs and support to underfunded schools to advance creative education.
strategies · 5
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.
- Child-Centered Creative Inquiry for Self-Discovery and Empowermentmethodology: child_centered_pedagogyBy prioritizing child-led exploration and creative autonomy, the organization nurtures self-understanding, confidence, and intrinsic motivation because allowing children to direct their own creative process fosters ownership, identity development, and a sense of agency.
- Creative Expression as Therapeutic Practicemethodology: art_as_therapyBy using embroidery and open-ended art-making as meditative, expressive acts, the organization supports emotional processing and focus because rhythmic, sensory-rich creative tasks regulate the nervous system and provide non-verbal outlets for feelings.
- Hands-on Creative Learning for Cognitive and Emotional Developmentmethodology: hands-on_creative_educationBy engaging children in hands-on creative activities like sewing, embroidery, and design, the organization fosters problem-solving, persistence, and resilience because tactile creation supports cognitive development and emotional regulation through focused, iterative making.
- Interdisciplinary Integration Through Sewing and Fashionmethodology: interdisciplinary_learning_through_sewingBy using sewing and fashion as an interdisciplinary anchor, the organization strengthens academic skills in math, engineering, and science because real-world making helps children see meaningful connections across subject areas and apply abstract concepts concretely.
- Sustainable Stewardship Through Upcycled Fashion Educationmethodology: sustainable_fashion_educationBy teaching fashion design with upcycled materials, the organization promotes environmental responsibility and sustainable living because hands-on reuse practices instill tangible habits and awareness of consumption impacts.