National Dance Institute Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION ARE TO INTRODUCE AND FOSTER THE ARTS INTO THE EXPERIENCE, PARTICIPATION AND KNOWLEDGE OF CHILDREN USING DANCE AS A CATALYST; PROMOTE THE BELIEF THAT THE ARTS ARE PRIMARY AND VITAL IN OUR SOCIETY AND SHOULD BE A MAJOR PART OF THE EDUCATION OF EVERY CHILD; AND TO TRAIN TEACHERS ALREADY HIGHLY QUALIFIED IN THE PROFESSIONAL ARTS, DANCE IN PARTICULAR, IN TECHNIQUES OF WORKING WITH ALL CHILDREN IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $7.3 million
- Spending
- $7.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 64%
- Reserves
- 43.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 73%
- Employees
- 173
- Volunteers
- 56
- Highest pay
- $243,043, artistic director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 43.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1564% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2533 of 34 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 September 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 (4)
- $2.4 million spent. IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMAT THE CORE OF NDI'S PROGRAMMING IS OUR IN-SCHOOL PROGRAM (ISP), WHICH ENGAGES THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN EACH WEEK IN GRADES PRE-K-6 AND THIS YEAR SERVED 53 PARTNER SCHOOLS IN THE NYC METRO AREA. NDI DEDICATES A TEAM OF THREE PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS--TWO TEACHER/CHOREOGRAPHERS AND A MUSICIAN/COMPOSER--TO EVERY SCHOOL TO LEAD ENTIRE GRADE LEVELS IN IMMERSIVE AND PARTICIPATORY DANCE CLASSES ACCOMPANIED BY LIVE MUSIC. ISP CLASSES ARE TAUGHT DURING THE SCHOOL DAY ALONGSIDE OUR STUDENTS' ACADEMIC STUDIES, PLACING DANCE AND MUSIC ON PAR WITH SUBJECTS LIKE MATH, SCIENCE, AND SOCIAL STUDIES. THROUGH THE ARC OF THE NDI YEAR, OUR TEACHING ARTISTS GUIDE STUDENTS ON A JOYFULLY RIGOROUS JOURNEY IN THE ARTS. WE BEGIN WITH AN INTRODUCTION TO A BASIC DANCE AND MUSIC VOCABULARY THAT SERVES AS THE FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING, PROGRESS THROUGH INCREASINGLY COMPLEX MOVEMENT THAT EXPRESSES EMOTIONS AND COMMUNICATES IDEAS, AND ARRIVE AT THRILLING CHOREOGRAPHY THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE UNIQUE STRENGTHS OF EVERY CLASS. STUDENTS SHOWCASE THEIR SKILLS, LEARNING, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING EXCITING AND FULLY-PRODUCED YEAR-END ASSEMBLIES FOR THEIR PEERS, FAMILIES, AND ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES. FROM CLASSES TO CULMINATING PERFORMANCES, THE ISP DEEPLY ROOTS THE ARTS INTO A SCHOOL'S CULTURE AND BUILDS VIBRANT ARTS AND LEARNING COMMUNITIES IN WHICH CHILDREN WORK HARD, DEVELOP MASTERY, CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER, AND ACHIEVE PUBLIC SUCCESS TOGETHER.NDI TEACHING ARTISTS INFUSE CLASSROOMS WITH EXPLORATORY, EDUCATIONAL, AND INSPIRED LEARNING BY WEAVING AN ANNUAL CURRICULAR THEME THROUGH ALL NDI CLASSES, REHEARSALS, AND PERFORMANCES. THE ANNUAL THEME IS THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ENTIRE YEAR'S ACTIVITIES AND SERVES AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR STUDENTS TO CREATE A POWERFUL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ARTS, THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES AND IDENTITIES, AND THE LARGER ACADEMIC CURRICULUM--FUELING THEIR IMAGINATION, DESIRE TO LEARN, AND ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IDEAS THROUGH CREATIVE EXPRESSION. THE GOAL OF NDI'S PROGRAMS IS TO PREPARE CHILDREN TO GROW INTO CREATIVE, COMPASSIONATE, EMPATHIC, AND CONFIDENT ADULTS. BY HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE ARTS, WE HELP CHILDREN ACHIEVE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL--WITH THE SELF-ESTEEM, RESILIENCE, DEDICATION, AND DRIVE THAT WILL ENSURE THEY CAN THRIVE AND SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE.
- $1.2 million spent. ADVANCED PROGRAMSNDI'S ADVANCED TEAM PROGRAMS EXTEND THE NDI EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE ISP FOR CHILDREN WHO DEMONSTRATE EXCEPTIONAL PASSION FOR DANCE AND PERFORMANCE AND THE ABILITY TO EMBRACE GREATER CHALLENGES. EACH YEAR, NDI PROVIDES FULL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DANCERS DRAWN FROM THE IN-SCHOOL PROGRAM TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MULTI-YEAR CONTINUUM OF TRAINING, WHICH INCLUDES THE RISE TEAM (REACH FOR INSPIRATION THROUGH SCHOLARSHIP AND EXCELLENCE) FORMERLY KNOWN AS SWAT TEAM (SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE WILLING, ACHIEVING AND TALENTED), AND THE CELEBRATION TEAM, OUR ADVANCED PERFORMANCE TROUPE, BOTH OF WHICH GATHER EVERY SATURDAY FOR 35 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION. NDI'S ADVANCED TEAM PROGRAMS BRING TOGETHER CHILDREN FROM ALL CORNERS OF NEW YORK CITY WHO WORK TOGETHER AS AN ENSEMBLE, CELEBRATE EACH OTHER'S ACHIEVEMENTS, AND FORM DEEP BONDS TO ONE ANOTHER AND THE ARTS. IN THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, NDI'S ADVANCED TEAM PROGRAMS CULMINATED IN OUR ANNUAL EVENT OF THE YEAR, A LARGE-SCALE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE SERIES THAT EXPLORED OUR THE 2024-2025 ANNUAL CURRICULAR THEME, ROCK MUSIC.EVENT OF THE YEAR: EACH JUNE, NDI'S RISE TEAM, CELEBRATION TEAM, FIRST TEAM, AND DREAM PROJECT DANCERS PERFORM IN THE EVENT OF THE YEAR, A PUBLIC PERFORMANCE HELD AT NYU SKIRBALL CENTER FEATURING ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY AND MUSIC AND PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED SETS, COSTUMES, AND LIGHTING. IN JUNE OF 2025, OUR DANCERS PERFORMED IN SIX PERFORMANCES OVER THREE DAYS.THE IRENE DIAMOND SUMMER INSTITUTE: NDI'S MONTH-LONG ARTS INTENSIVE IS HELD DURING THE MONTH OF JULY AT THE NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE JAQUES D'AMBOISE CENTER FOR LEARNING & THE ARTS. APPROXIMATELY 94 CHILDREN FROM NDI'S IN-SCHOOL AND ADVANCED TEAM PROGRAMS WERE AWARDED FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND IN 2024-25. THESE DANCERS PARTICIPATED IN DANCE TECHNIQUE CLASSES, MUSIC AND DRAMA CLASSES, COMPOSITION WORKSHOPS, CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS, AND SESSIONS WITH GUEST ARTISTS. EVERY YEAR, THIS IMMERSIVE AND ENRICHING PROGRAM CHALLENGES OUR DANCERS TO GROW AS ARTISTS AND AS MEMBERS OF A TEAM. DANCERS EMERGE WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION IN A VARIETY OF DANCE AND MUSIC TECHNIQUES, INCREASED SELF-CONFIDENCE, DEEPENED RELATIONSHIPS, AND SPARKS OF INSPIRATION FOR THEIR ONGOING TRAINING. THE IRENE DIAMOND SUMMER INSTITUTE CULMINATES IN CELEBRATORY SHARING FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
- $486,729 spent. COLLABORATIVE FOR TEACHING & LEARNING: THE NDI COLLABORATIVE FOR TEACHING & LEARNING DISSEMINATES OUR ACCLAIMED PEDAGOGICAL METHODS, DEVELOPED BY FOUNDER JACQUES D'AMBOISE AND CODIFIED UNDER THE ARTISTIC DIRECTION OF ELLEN WEINSTEIN, TO EDUCATORS AND ARTISTS AROUND THE WORLD AND ALSO ENSURES THE CONSISTENT GROWTH AND TRAINING OF NDI'S OWN TEACHING STAFF. IN RESPONSE TO INCREASING DEMAND FOR NDI'S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF EMILY MEISNER THE NDI COLLABORATIVE NOW OFFERS INTENSIVE, MULTI-SESSION TEACHING ARTIST TRAININGS; STANDALONE AND TOPIC-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS; AND CUSTOMIZED CONSULTANCIES FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. ALL TRAININGS ARE EXPERIENTIAL AND INCLUDE JOYFUL DANCE CLASSES, MENTORED TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES, STIMULATING GROUP DISCUSSIONS, AND LIVE MUSIC. THROUGH BOTH IN-PERSON AND REMOTE OFFERINGS, THE NDI COLLABORATIVE INSPIRES DANCE EDUCATORS AND MUSICIANS. PARTICIPANTS GAIN VALUABLE AND PRACTICAL TEACHING STRATEGIES THAT EQUIP THEM TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE DIVERSE LEARNERS AND TO BETTER SERVE THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.THE ASSOCIATES OF NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE (ANDI) IS A COLLECTIVE OF ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS INSPIRED BY NDI'S PEDAGOGY. THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY, NDI HAS SUCCESSFULLY SEEDED PROGRAMS BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. THROUGH THE NDI COLLABORATIVE NDI STRENGTHENS ASSOCIATE ORGANIZATIONS BY PROVIDING A FORUM FOR MEMBERS TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES, MAINTAIN STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE, AND PROMOTE THE GROWTH OF COMMUNITY ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 12 PROGRAMS THRIVING IN THE UNITED STATES. ANDI PROGRAMS SERVE OVER 30,000 CHILDREN ANNUALLY. NDI PROVIDED BOTH REMOTE AND IN-PERSON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, AND CONSULTING SUPPORT TO OUR ANDI ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR.INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS ARE IN-DEPTH AND ONGOING COLLABORATIONS WITH ARTS AND EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE WORLD TO CREATE PROGRAMS BASED ON THE NDI METHOD. THE NDI COLLABORATIVE PROVIDES OVERSIGHT, ONGOING TEACHER TRAINING, AND ARTISTIC SUPPORT FOR ALL STAFF, AS WELL AS STRATEGIES FOR ADAPTING THE NDI METHOD TO THE VALUES, TRADITIONS, AND CULTURE OF THE HOST COUNTRY. IN 2017, THE LEBANESE CENTER FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION APPROACHED NDI TO CREATE "DANCE BY CLES" (DBC), WITH A MISSION TO BRING DANCE AND THE ARTS TO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN LEBANON. THE DBC PROGRAM AIMS TO HELP CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT LEARNING DISABILITIES TO GAIN DISCIPLINE, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND TRUST IN OTHERS. IN THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR, A TEAM OF NDI TEACHING ARTISTS PROVIDED REMOTE TRAININGS IN THE NDI METHOD TO LEBANESE DANCERS, EDUCATORS,AND MUSICIANS IN SUPPORT OF THE DBC PROGRAM.
- $742,340 spent. HIGHLIGHTS OF NDI'S SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDE:THE NDI DREAM PROJECT: IN ADDITION TO NDI'S FULLY ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING IN SCHOOLS, NDI OFFERS SPECIALIZED PROGRAMMING BEYOND THE SCHOOL DAY FOR DANCERS WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES. CO-FOUNDED BY NDI ARTISTIC DIRECTOR KAY GAYNER AND BOARD-CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPIST DR. AGNES MCCONLOGUE FERRO, THE DREAM PROJECT (DANCERS REALIZE EXCELLENCE THROUGH ARTS & MOVEMENT) IS A UNIQUE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO DANCE AND PERFORM TOGETHER. IN THE DREAM PROGRAM, CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND A GROUP OF AGE-MATCHED, NON-DISABLED PEERS DANCE IN PARTNERSHIP, WITH THE GOALS OF MAXIMIZING PARTICIPATION AND CHALLENGING EVERY DANCER TO ACHIEVE THEIR BEST THROUGH TEAMWORK, CREATIVITY, EMPATHY, AND DISCOVERY. DREAM'S WEEKLONG AND FREE "CAMPS" ARE HELD IN FEBRUARY AND AUGUST AND CULMINATE IN PERFORMANCES CELEBRATING EVERY STUDENT'S UNIQUE TALENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS. AN ENSEMBLE OF DREAM DANCERS ALSO PERFORMED IN NDI'S ANNUAL GALA AND IN THE EVENT OF THE YEAR.JACQUES' ART NEST: CONCEIVED AND ORIGINALLY CURATED AND DIRECTED BY JACQUES D'AMBOISE, THE ART NEST SERIES CONTINUES UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF ARTISTIC DIRECTOR KAY GAYNER AND FEATURES PERFORMANCES BY PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS, INCLUDING PRINCIPAL DANCERS FROM NEW YORK CITY BALLET, THE BRIGHTEST STARS FROM BROADWAY, AND MUSICIANS OF THE HIGHEST CALIBER, ALONGSIDE OUR VERY OWN NDI DANCERS. THE SERIES ALSO INCLUDES PANEL DISCUSSIONS LED BY SOME OF THE GREATEST MINDS IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE, HISTORY, AND THE ARTS. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE OUR NDI DANCERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH AND LEARN FROM LUMINARIES IN THEIR FIELDS AND BRING A WIDER AUDIENCE OF ARTS SUPPORTERS TO THE NDI CENTER.NDI HELEN STAMBLER NEUBERGER ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM: THE HELEN STAMBLER NEUBERGER ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM IS A ONE-YEAR RESIDENCY DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF A MOVEMENT-BASED ARTIST OF COLOR. THE POSITION OFFERS EMERGING OR ESTABLISHED ARTISTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR CRAFT WHILE WORKING WITH ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL-AGE STUDENTS. THE RESIDENCY GREW OUT OF NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE'S COMMITMENT TO CULTIVATING RACIALLY DIVERSE ARTISTRY THROUGHOUT NDI PROGRAMMING. IT IS DESIGNED TO BRING CREATIVE EXPLORATION IN DANCE AND MUSIC TO YOUNG DANCERS ACROSS ALL OF NDI'S PROGRAMS, TO BROADEN THE ARTISTRY OF NDI TEACHING ARTISTS AND TO INTRODUCE THE WORK OF DIVERSE CHOREOGRAPHERS TO THE NDI COMMUNITY. CHILDREN ENROLLED IN NDI ADVANCED TEAM PROGRAMS WORK DIRECTLY WITH AND LEARN FROM THESE PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS WHO ARE LUMINARIES IN THE FIELDS OF DANCE AND MUSIC. THE IMPACT OF THE RESIDENCY IS FELT BY ALL CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN NEW YORK CITY PARTNER SCHOOLS, AS ALL OF OUR TEACHING ARTISTS INTERACT WITH THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. DURING THE RESIDENCY, THE ARTIST RECEIVES REHEARSAL SPACE AT THE NDI CENTER, PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS AND PEER DIALOGUE. NDI PROVIDES A FULLY SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT TO BE ABLE TO CREATE AND EXCHANGE IDEAS WITH OTHER ARTISTS. THROUGH THE PROVISION OF FREE REHEARSAL SPACE AND MARKETING SUPPORT, THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM CULMINATES IN A COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE IN NDI'S HOWARD GILMAN PERFORMANCE SPACE, WITH THE GOAL OF BOTH INTRODUCING THE NDI COMMUNITY TO THE WORK OF THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE AND THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE'S AUDIENCES TO NDI.NDI'S 2024-25 HELEN STAMBLER NEUBERGER ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE WAS FIRE ENSEMBLE LED BY TROY ANTHONY. FIRE ENSEMBLE IS A COMMUNITY-CENTERED PRODUCTION COMPANY CREATING REVOLUTIONARY NEW WORK ROOTED IN MUSIC, RITUAL, AND REVELATION BY GATHERING THROUGH CHOIRS THAT FOSTER COLLECTIVE LIBERATION AND INTERGENERATIONAL HEALING.TROY'S WORK LIVES AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY PRACTICE. IN THIS SPIRIT, HE CURRENTLY SERVES AS THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF FIRE ENSEMBLE AS A HOME TO DEVELOP HIS WORK AND TO SHARE THE JOY OF SINGING IN COMMUNITY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1977.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.