The Misty Copeland Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide community-based opportunities to explore dance, especially programs that engage young girls and boys in under-resourced communities; advance the art form of ballet through greater diversity, equity and inclusion; and promote social justice through arts activism.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 14.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 65
- Volunteers
- 13
- Highest pay
- $180,135, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
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 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 (1)
- $1.1 million spent. In 2025, The Misty Copeland Foundation served more than 575 children and approximately 100 older adults through three free programs in under-resourced communities in the Bronx and Harlem: BE BOLD, BE BOLDER, and BE BOLDNext Steps.BE BOLD (Ballet Explorations Ballet Offers Leadership Development) is the Foundations signature introductory ballet program for children ages 512, centered on five strategic pillars: Introductory Ballet, Music for Ballet, Health and Wellness, Tutoring, and Mentoring. Each is vital to cultivating the traits of a BE BOLD Graduate: leadership, curiosity, kindness, persistence, and engagement with dance and music.BE BOLD was in 21 sites in the Bronx and Harlem. The MCF employed 50 teaching artists - 30 dance educators and 20 musicians. The program continues to expand by adding multiple class sections at existing partner sites in response to increased interest and participation. This semester, MCF co-facilitated Caregiver Orientations with the NY Public Library, giving families access to a library card that includes homework help and tutoring. BE BOLD classes honor Black and Brown ballet pioneers, incorporate contemporary music and student-created steps, and use musical instruments such as the Djembe, saxophone, and guitar, which are not usually present in a ballet classroom. Students identities, interests and creativity are woven throughout the BE BOLD experience.Our annual Impact Reports intentionally capture information from a variety of perspectives. MCFs impact evaluator, Dr. Gess LeBlanc, a developmental psychologist from Hunter College, uses a methodology that includes surveys and focus groups with teaching artists, students, caregivers, and site administrators. Their data and feedback ensure that program decisions are informed by those affected.Rigorous evaluation has been a vital component of BE BOLD since its inception. The findings guide program development. The Year 3 Impact Report was released in September 2025. The evaluation findings show that, across most components of childrens program engagement (affective, behavioral, and cognitive), BE BOLD students maintained their engagement levels throughout the program year. The Year 3 Impact report stated that through its holistic and inclusive approach, BE BOLD effectively positions ballet education as a transformative tool for nurturing the next generation of leaders. The Foundation developed and introduced two new programs:BE BOLDER (Ballet Explorations: Ballet Offers Lifelong Discovery, Expression, and Reconnection) is a ballet-based movement program for adults 50+ that fosters wellness, mobility, social connection, confidence, and creative expression through accessible, joyful dance experiences. Classes incorporate live music, modifications for all abilities, and storytelling through movement. They emphasize empowerment and lifelong learning in a welcoming and supportive environment.BE BOLDER began in the summer of 2025 at three sites in the Bronx and Harlem for 12 weeks. Evaluation efforts for key areas of BE BOLDER being tracked include:- Attendance and participant retention- Physical wellness indicators (mobility, posture, balance)- Emotional well-being and social connection- Feedback from teaching artists and musiciansBE BOLDNext Steps builds on MCFs commitment to accessible, affordable, and inclusive ballet education and bridges BE BOLD with more advanced dance training. The program launched in summer 2025 and connected 12 BE BOLD graduates with three partnering institutions: The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and 92NY. By prioritizing accessibility and inclusion, BE BOLDNext Steps provides students, ages 8-10, with the guidance they need to succeed in rigorous training environments and to continue their dance education holistically and with support.Across all programs, MCF aims to increase access to high-quality arts experiences while helping participants build confidence, resilience, social connection, self-expression, and a lifelong sense of belonging. MCF believes dancing should be affordable, accessible, and funand that dance is for everyone at every stage of life.To support the MCFs growth, MCF made several staffing changes in 2025:- MCFs Program Director was promoted to Director of Programs and now oversees all of MCFs programs.- One of MCFs teaching artists was promoted to BE BOLD Program Coordinator for both BE BOLD and our new program, BE BOLDNext Steps.- In the spring of 2025, an MCF Programs Coordinator was hired to support the new BE BOLDER program and some of the new BE BOLD sites.- To support the organizations overall infrastructure and growth, a Development and Operations Manager was also hired.- The MCF hired 20 new teaching artists for the 2025 school year to accommodate more BE BOLD classes at 21 community partner sites.The MCF continues to partner with established community-based organizations to ensure the programming reflects the perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences of those the MCF serves. By working closely with these organizations, MCF embeds BE BOLD, BE BOLDER, and BE BOLDNext Steps within trusted community institutions, helping us meet local families needs.
Source: Form 990 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 November 6, 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 December 2021.
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 November 4, 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.