Dancewave Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Dancewave, Inc. is a nonprofit arts organization that transforms the lives of New York City youth through unique exposure to world-class, pre-professional performing arts training.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 7.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 56%
- Employees
- 84
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $89,041, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 59% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 80 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $914,292 spent. ? Our community residency program reached over 2500 NY students in over 130 different residencies throughout all five boroughs. ? We have prioritized flexible and tuition free access for all youth programming at the Dancewave Center. Thanks to the generous support of our community, we were able to offer $50,000 in tuition assistance and ensure that students were not denied access to quality dance experiences due to financial barriers.? Dancewaves youth company program reached over 40 students this year, the highest engagement weve had in several years. Our youth company program provides a spacious dance training program that builds ability, artistic integrity, and leadership skills. Incorporating technique classes, rehearsals with renowned choreographers, performance and choreographic opportunities, and intentional community-building through movement, our proven effective training provides dancers with leadership development, individual mentoring, and restorative whole-person education.? Our rehearsal subsidy program provided over 1800 subsidized hours booked in 2025. Reaching over 600 local artists in the community throughout the year. Additionally, we offer a Class Share program which invites artists to hold their own classes in our space while providing a flexible registration fee. This year we hosted 60 artists in our space offering classes in a large variety of genres. ? Our annual Dancewave Through College & Beyond program was a success, providing 400 high school students and families with essential college and career development support. This program facilitates successful transitions to higher education and careers in the arts through networking events, workshops and panel discussions, college fairs and college auditions. New in FY25 the program expanded into three sessions as a year round program.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1988.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.