irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $10KEGYPT - CWB LED A CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP FOR EGYPTIAN ARTISTS AND PERFORMED FOR MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN EGYPT, INCLUDING STREET CHILDREN, REFUGEES, AND TRASH COLLECTORS WHERE THEY TRACKLED ISSUES OF CLIMATE CHANGE WITH A FOCUS ON FORCIBLY DISPLACED COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM INCLUDED 8 WORKSHOPS AND 10 SHOWS. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 730 PEOPLE SERVED.
- #2 $19KZIMBABWE CWB COLLABORATED WITH THE ZIMBABWE THEATRE ACADEMY AND PERFORMED FOR 6717 REFUGEES IN TONGOGARA REFUGEE CAMP. THE TEAM ALSO PRESENTED WORKSHOPS, A PANEL DISCUSSION, AND A PERFORMANCE AT THE MITAMBU INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL (HARARE).
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Capacity Building Workshop and Performances in Egypt
Conducted 8 workshops and 10 performances for marginalized communities in Egypt, including street children, refugees, and trash collectors, integrating themes of climate change and displacement.
Original Performance Tour in Southern Brazil
Toured an original clown performance for displaced indigenous communities in southern Brazil with a team of 5 artists, delivering 17 shows to 2,538 beneficiaries.
Performances and Workshops in Zimbabwe
Collaborated with the Zimbabwe Theatre Academy to perform for 6,717 refugees in Tongogara Refugee Camp and participated in the Mitambu International Theatre Festival with workshops and panel discussions.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Volunteer and Professional Training Programs 1 activity
- Conduct workshops and training for artists and frontline workersOffers trauma-informed performance and resilience-building workshops for professional artists, aid workers, teachers, and first responders, delivering approximately 56 hours annually. Also conducted workshops in Egypt and Brazil, and provided training at international festivals such as in Harare.
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Puppetry and Improv Theater Programs 1 activity
- Deliver clown performances for communities impacted by crisis and displacementProvides live, culturally appropriate clown performances for children and displaced populations affected by war, natural disasters, political instability, and human rights abuses, including in refugee camps, migrant centers, and rural villages. Has conducted over 170 tours since 1993, reaching tens of thousands of people annually across global crisis zones.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Engage volunteers and pro bono professionals to support operationsRelies on volunteers and pro bono contributors—including graphic designers, social media managers, and long-term strategic thought partners—to support organizational functions and mission advancement since 2011.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Produce educational performances and media on critical safety issuesCreated educational clowning content, such as videos on land mine safety for children in conflict-affected regions including Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia, and Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic, in partnership with organizations like MAG.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$172K
Contributions & grants$170K99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$570%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$239K
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$73K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$180K
Cash$176K
Investments$0
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$176K
Liquid reserves8.9 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -46.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JESSICA F THOMPKINS | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $36K |
board members · 9
- AMRITA DHALIWAL — DIRECTOR
- DAVID ROSENTHAL — DIRECTOR
- KAE BURKE — DIRECTOR
- MARISOL ROSA-SHAPIRO — DIRECTOR
- MEREDITH GORDON — PRESIDENT
- MICHI JAKOB — TREASURER
- TIMOTHY CUNNINGHAM — PAST PRESIDE
- VICTORIA TE YOU MOORE — VICE PRESIDE
- WILLIAM WATSON KAWECKI — SECRETARY
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- Big Apple Circus Partner — Collaborative relationship through shared clowning and medical clowning experience
- Clowns Without Borders International Network — Clowns Without Borders USA is one of 15 global chapters under Clowns Without Borders International.
- Clowns Without Borders USA Network — Implied membership in the broader Clowns Without Borders international network.
- Dell’Arte International Partner — Professional training institution linked to staff and board member development in physical theatre
- Handicap International Partner — Partnered with Clowns Without Borders to deliver performances in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.
- House of Yes Partner — Artistic collective co-founded by board member Kae Burke, indicating connection to broader performance community
- Humorology Atlanta Partner — Organization co-founded by board chair Meredith Gordon, with shared focus on therapeutic clowning
- Llaven nü Partner — Collaborates with Clowns Without Borders USA on the Riendo Juntas Con CWBUSA project.
- MAG (Mines Advisory Group) Partner — Collaborated with Clowns Without Borders to produce educational videos on land mine safety for children in Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia, and Vietnam.
- Miriam’s Magical Memorial Mission Partner — Longstanding partner providing transformative support for four years, funding programs that bring laughter to children in crisis.
- Médecins Sans Frontières International Partner — Has partnered with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) on performance tours.
- Partners in Health Partner — Partnered with Clowns Without Borders to deliver performances in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.
- Pixel Lighthouse Partner — Web design and development partner for the organization's website.
- SOS Villages Partner — Partnered with Clowns Without Borders to deliver performances in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.
- Terres Des Hommes Partner — Partnered with Clowns Without Borders to deliver performances in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.
- UNHCR Partner — Collaborates with UNHCR field staff in refugee camp settings, such as Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights Network — Aligns programming with Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Right to Play.
- ZIMBABWE THEATRE ACADEMY Partner — Collaborated on performances and workshops in Zimbabwe, including at the Mitambu International Theatre Festival.
- community partners Partner — Collaborates with community partners to evaluate audience needs and address ethical and security concerns for performances.
- local partners Partner — Collaborates with local partner organizations to assess community needs and determine appropriateness of performances.
- local performers Partner — Collaborates with local performers to co-create culturally appropriate shows and exchange art.
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 Respectful and Professional Artistic Practicemethodology: culturally_resonant_practiceBy employing professional, trained performers—including local artists—and using minimalist, non-imposing aesthetics, the organization ensures cultural appropriateness and emotional safety because respectful, human-centered performances enhance connection and avoid retraumatization.
- Laughter as Healing and Resiliencemethodology: laughter-as-healingBy using laughter and play in clown performances, the organization fosters emotional well-being, healing, and resilience in trauma-affected and crisis-impacted communities because shared joy and humor provide psychosocial relief and restore a sense of normalcy and dignity.
- Participatory and Audience-Centered Engagementmethodology: participatory_clowningBy centering audience participation, voluntary engagement, and child-led or audience-led performance formats, the organization affirms individual agency and dignity in crisis settings because active, respectful involvement fosters emotional processing and reclaims personal power.