Overview
What is Opening Act Inc?
Opening Act Inc is a dedicated nonprofit organization based in Brooklyn, New York. Established with the goal of empowering underserved high school students in the city, Opening Act provides a high-quality arts education program to thousands of students in over 70 schools across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. Their core after-school theater program, ASTP, utilizes improvisation, acting, and original writing to foster leadership and collaboration skills in students from unstable school environments. The program serves approximately 25 students per group, led by trained teaching artists, and culminates in original productions performed in professional theaters. Targeting schools in under-resourced communities, Opening Act offers its services free of charge to both schools and students, ensuring a consistent and positive influence in their lives. Additionally, the organization provides ancillary programming to support students beyond artistic training, including leadership development programs and college and career readiness initiatives.
Official website here: www.openingact.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: 92% (Four-Star out of Four Star rating)
Opening Act Inc has received a strong Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its high level of accountability and financial health. With an Accountability & Finance Score of 92, the organization demonstrates robust governance practices, such as an entirely independent board and comprehensive financial oversight. The organization also upholds transparency with policies in place for conflict of interest, whistleblower protection, and document retention, further underscoring its commitment to ethical operations.
The nonprofit allocates a significant portion of its expenses to its programs, with a Program Expense Ratio of 66.76%. This indicates that the majority of its funding is directed towards its mission-related activities rather than administrative costs. Additionally, the organization maintains a healthy liabilities to assets ratio of 21.48%, suggesting a stable financial position that can support its ongoing initiatives.
While the organization excels in many areas, there is a slight opportunity for improvement in its Program Expense Ratio, as it scored 21 out of 25. Nonetheless, the scores in other categories highlight a solid performance overall, positioning Opening Act Inc as a reliable and effective nonprofit dedicated to its cause.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
Is Opening Act Inc legitimate?
Opening Act Inc is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Opening Act Inc submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $128,594
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $903,767
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.openingact.org
What is the mission statement of Opening Act Inc?
Opening Act Inc's mission is centered around empowering students from under-served public schools in New York City. Through their theater programs, they aim to provide opportunities that foster confidence, pride, and the belief in one's ability to succeed in life. The organization strives to offer a high-quality arts education program to these students, who can benefit the most from such an initiative. Since its inception, Opening Act Inc has reached over 8,000 teens in more than 70 high schools across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. Their core after-school theater program uses theater training to develop leadership and collaboration skills in young people from unstable school environments. Opening Act Inc's free, innovative, high-quality theater programming employs improvisation, acting, and original writing to help students develop a greater sense of empowerment and purpose in life. The organization serves approximately 25 students per program, led by teams of teaching artists. The culmination of each core after-school program results in an original production, created and performed by the students in professional theaters. Opening Act Inc intentionally targets schools located in traditionally under-resourced communities, providing a consistent and positive force in their students' lives, regardless of fluctuating school budgets and priorities.
Official website here: www.openingact.org
Who is the CEO of Opening Act Inc?
Zareta Ricks is the Executive Director of Opening Act Inc.
Official website here: www.openingact.org
What is the revenue of Opening Act Inc?
Opening Act Inc's revenue in 2022 was $1,432,918.
Official website here: www.openingact.org
Who are the executives of Opening Act Inc and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Opening Act Inc during 2022 was $21,508. There are 48 employees and 30 volunteers at Opening Act Inc.
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Official website here: www.openingact.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Opening Act Inc?
Opening Act Inc's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.openingact.org
Learn more at the official website: www.openingact.org
Mission Statement of Opening Act Inc
Opening Act Inc, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to empowering students attending under-served public schools in New York City. Their mission is to provide these students with the opportunity to gain confidence, pride, and the belief that they can succeed in any aspect of life. They strive to offer an exceptional and consistent theater program to any New York City school that requires it, focusing on under-served students who could benefit the most from their program. Since its establishment, Opening Act Inc has reached over 8,000 teens attending more than 70 high schools on 32 educational campuses in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx.
The organization's core after-school theater program (ASTP) utilizes theater training to help young people in unstable school environments develop their leadership and collaboration skills. Opening Act Inc's innovative, high-quality, free theater programming employs improvisation, acting, and original writing to help young people develop a greater sense of empowerment and purpose in life. Teens in grades 6-12 make a voluntary commitment to attend the 30 weekly 2-hour sessions. Each program serves approximately 25 students, led by teams of 2-3 teaching artists, including one lead teacher with at least one full year of training and in-classroom experience with the organization. The culmination of each core after-school program is an original production, created and performed by the students in professional theaters.
Opening Act Inc intentionally targets schools located in traditionally under-resourced communities, such as Brownsville, East New York, and the South Bronx. They specifically reach out to schools with lower than average graduation rates and an evident lack of theater programming. Many of their partnering schools have been flagged by the Department of Education (DOE) as "under-performing" and are at risk of closure; these sites lack the resources needed to provide their students with comprehensive arts programming. Through a partnership with District 79, NYC Department of Education's alternative high school program, Opening Act Inc is also working with some of the city's most vulnerable youth, including those who are homeless, teen parents, or formerly incarcerated. Key to their mission is a steadfast commitment to ensuring that all of their programs continue to be offered free of charge to both schools and students, so they may remain a consistent and positive force in their students' lives, regardless of fluctuating school budgets and priorities.
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Impact
October, 2024
Opening Act Inc significantly impacts students in New York City by providing essential theater programs that foster confidence, leadership, and a sense of purpose. Serving over 8,000 teens from more than 70 high schools in underserved communities, the organization targets areas with lower graduation rates and limited access to arts education.
Through innovative programming, including acting, improvisation, and original writing, students engage in a dedicated 30-week program that culminates in an original production performed in professional theaters. This approach not only enhances their artistic abilities but also cultivates vital social-emotional skills like self-identity and teamwork, which are linked to long-term success.
Participants in Opening Act's programs showed remarkable motivation to attend school, evidenced by a 15% higher attendance rate than their peers. The organization has been particularly effective in creating a supportive community for vulnerable youth, including those who are homeless, teen parents, or previously incarcerated.
Additionally, Opening Act offers ancillary programs that address students' broader needs, preparing them for transitions into college and the workforce. By continuously ensuring that these valuable programs are provided free of charge, Opening Act remains a reliable force for empowerment, growth, and encouragement amidst the challenges faced by its students in an inequitable education system.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Opening Act Inc. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Investment Income: $288
- Program Service Revenue: $13,500
- Gross Receipts: $1,477,626
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $871,641
- Total Liabilities: $27,865
- Net Assets: $843,776
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
WORKSHOP AND SPEAKING INCOME
Revenue
$13,500
Organization Details
Founding Year
2000
Phone
(646) 992-8355Principal Officer
Zareta Ricks
Main Address
PO BOX 25613 CADMAN PLAZA STATION, BROOKLYN, NY, 11202
Website
www.openingact.orgNTEE Category
Code: A65 - Arts
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