Big Apple Leadership Academy for the Arts Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The primary exempt purpose of Big Apple Leadership Academy for the Arts is to provide youth arts education cultural enrichment and leadership development through highquality dance and music programming performance opportunities and exposure to postsecondary and professional pathways in the arts The organization focuses on expanding access to arts education and educational opportunities for Black and underserved communities by supporting artistic excellence discipline and career readiness
- Income
- $115,500
- Spending
- $115,100
- Reserves
- 0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
- Highest pay
- $5,000, deputy executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 (2)
- $15,000 spent. The organization provides youth arts education leadership development and access to postsecondary and professional performing arts opportunities with a focus on serving Black and underserved communities Core programming includes dance and music instruction cultural enrichment performances uniforms and careerreadiness support for student artists During the reporting period the organization hosted and coordinated a largescale audition fair designed to expand access to higher education and advanced training opportunities in the performing arts The audition fair convened 17 visiting Historically Black College and University HBCU band directors and arts educators to evaluate and mentor participating students In support of this program the organization received a 25000 grant designated for the audition fair Program expenses included approximately 15000 for roundtrip airfare hotel accommodations ground transportation and meals for the visiting HBCU band directors ensuring equitable access and highquality engagement for student participants As a result of the organizations audition fair and related programming participating students collectively received over 39 million in cumulative scholarship offers in 2026 significantly expanding access to postsecondary education and advanced arts training The program served more than 100 youth participants and contributed to increased educational opportunity artistic advancement and longterm leadership development outcomes
- $9,000 spent. The organization coordinated and delivered Concrete Crankfest a cultural and educational arts program designed to expose youth participants and the broader community to collegiatelevel performing arts and leadership pathways The program featured live performances mentorship and engagement with Historically Black College and University HBCU marching band programs providing students with direct exposure to postsecondary arts opportunities and role models in the performing arts Concrete Crankfest was supported in part by a 25000 state grant designated for arts and cultural programming Of this amount approximately 9000 was used to cover programrelated travel and meals for two visiting HBCU marching bands that traveled to Brooklyn to participate in the event These costs included transportation and meals necessary to ensure equitable access and meaningful participation by the visiting institutions Through Concrete Crankfest youth participants gained exposure to advanced performance standards collegiate arts culture and leadership development opportunities The program strengthened pathways to higher education in the arts promoted cultural exchange and advanced the organizations mission to expand access to highquality arts education and performance experiences for Black and underserved communities
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 October 2019.
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.