irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2019
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $45KCAVEAT IS THE PROGRAM THAT COVERS DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION COSTS FOR TWO LIVE SCIENCE STORYTELLING SHOWS PERFORMED LIVE ON STAGE IN NEW YORK CITY. THESE ARE DIFFERENTIATED FROM THE MAIN BODY OF OUR WORK BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT THEY ARE SOLELY PERSONAL STORIES, BUT MORE IN THE VEIN OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS.
- #2 $45KCOMSCICON IS A PROGRAM TO HELP GRADUATE STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO TELL THEIR OWN STORIES VIA SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS, SOCIAL MEDIA AND SCIENCE MEDIA PROJECTS.
named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Caveat
Live science storytelling shows performed on stage in New York City, focusing on personal stories intertwined with science communication.
ComSciCon
Workshop program that trains graduate students in science communication, storytelling, and public engagement through writing, social media, and media projects.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Research and Scholarly Fellowship Support 1 activity
- Conducts research on the impact of storytelling in science communicationGenerates and contributes to research showing that listening to personal science stories improves academic performance, increases interest in science, and expands career self-concept among college students.
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Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Hosts live storytelling events featuring personal narratives on science and identityOrganizes and produces live storytelling events in cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Baltimore, where individuals share true, personal stories on themes such as science, health, identity, technology, and emotional resilience. Events have been held at venues including Caveat, Hudson River Park Pier 57’s Discovery Tank, and the Baltimore Theatre Project, with partnerships such as LAist.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Produces and distributes a podcast featuring personal stories about science and life experiencesProduces podcast episodes that explore personal narratives related to science, identity, health, technology, fertility, family, and emotional resilience, with themes including masculinity, illness, recovery, and leaving home. The podcast features stories recorded at live events across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and occasionally other countries, reaching approximately 1 million downloads per year.
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Professional Development and Standards in Marketing and Communications 1 activity
- Provides storytelling workshops and training for scientists and STEM professionalsOffers storytelling workshops, talks, and retreats in online, in-person, and hybrid formats to help graduate students and STEM professionals improve science communication, public engagement, and social media skills. Training focuses on enabling scientists to share their personal stories effectively.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$462K
Contributions & grants$81K18%
Program service revenue$384K83%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$-3K
expenses
Total expenses$619K
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$275K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$46K
Cash$30K
Investments$0
Liabilities$15K
Net assets$31K
Liquid reserves0.6 mo
5 years on record · 2018–2024 · YoY revenue -12.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIN BARKER | Executive Dir. | 40 | $98K |
| ANN MARIE LONSDALE | MANAGING DIR. | 40 | $50K |
| GASTOR ALMONTE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $5K |
board members · 10
- ANA MARIA PORRAS — Secretary
- ERIC JANKOWSKI — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN RENNIE — BOARD MEMBER
- KENNETH HALLER — BOARD MEMBER
- KRISHNA PAKALA — President
- LATASHA WRIGHT — BOARD MEMBER
- LESLIE GRIESBACH SCHULTZ — BOARD MEMBER
- NATALIA REAGAN — BOARD MEMBER
- ROSS HEINEMEYER — Treasurer
- STEVE ZIMMER — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- A&E Partner — Produced a series on A&E that led to further media opportunities.
- Baltimore Theatre Project Partner — Host venue for The Story Collider live storytelling event in May 2025
- Boise State University Partner — Collaborates on live storytelling events featuring researchers from the AWESOME Center.
- CBS Partner — Collaborated with CBS for a segment on 48 Hours about geek culture and video games.
- Caveat Partner — Venue partner for live storytelling events in New York, NY
- Caveat Partner — Venue partner hosting The Story Collider live events in New York, NY.
- Caveat Partner — Venue partner hosting live storytelling events for The Story Collider.
- Crawford Family Forum Partner — Venue partner for live storytelling events in Los Angeles, CA
- Hudson River Park Trust Partner — Host venue for The Story Collider live storytelling event at Pier 57’s Discovery Tank in March 2025
- LAist Partner — Collaborated with The Story Collider on a live storytelling event in Los Angeles, CA in February 2026.
- MTV Partner — Appeared on MTV Teen Mom to discuss psychological topics.
- Nakeysha Roberts Washington Partner — Senior Producer, Podcast Producer, and Board Member who contributes to production and governance.
- Netflix Partner — Contributed to a Netflix series following media appearances on PBS and A&E.
- New York City Bird Alliance Partner — Referenced in a story as the organization providing guidance for injured bird care, indicating a functional relationship in community wildlife support.
- PBS Partner — Featured on PBS, leading to broader media exposure.
- Paula Croxson Partner — Senior Producer and Board Member involved in science communication and storytelling initiatives.
- Scientist Spotlights Initiative Partner — Collaborates with the Scientist Spotlights Initiative to support the use of Story Collider stories in educational settings.
- Trees Atlanta Partner — Collaborates with storytellers on community and environmental themes related to personal memory and healing.
- Underground Atlanta Partner — Hosts The Story Collider's in-person storytelling events in Atlanta, Georgia.
- University of Tennessee Knoxville Partner — Features stories from individuals affiliated with academic institutions, such as graduate students conducting scientific research.
- Wild Bird Fund Partner — Collaborates with the Wild Bird Fund, as referenced in a story involving bird rescue and care coordination.
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.
- One-on-One Story Coaching for Communication and Growth 141 orgsmethodology: personal_narrative_reframingBy guiding individuals through personal story development, we improve their communication skills and support emotional growth, because structured narrative reflection helps people reframe life experiences—such as career transitions or loss—as meaningful, empowering journeys.shared approach: Creative Expression for Healing and Empowerment →
- Vulnerable Narrative Sharing for Emotional Connection and Validation 141 orgsmethodology: vulnerable-storytellingBy fostering vulnerable, personal storytelling in live and curated formats, we promote emotional reflection, validation, and social impact, because authentic self-disclosure builds empathy, challenges dominant narratives (e.g., medical or gendered assumptions), and supports personal growth and bodily autonomy.shared approach: Creative Expression for Healing and Empowerment →
- Personal Storytelling for Science Communication 9 orgsmethodology: storytelling-for-science-communicationBy sharing personal, vulnerable narratives centered on science and lived experience, we make science more accessible and emotionally resonant, because stories bridge abstract concepts and human emotion, increasing public engagement and redefining science as part of everyday life.shared approach: Narrative for Understanding →