Conga Kids

What it reported doing in 2024

Founded in 2016 by brad gluckstein, conga kids is a nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to promoting social and emotional well-being and advancing inclusive practices through dance, music, and movement. Rooted in the belief that every child deserves access to joyful, culturally relevant learning experiences, conga kids integrates artistic expression with social-emotional learning (sel) to support students' holistic development-physically, emotionally, and socially.conga kids' curriculum is grounded in culturally responsive pedagogy and highlights diasporic dance traditions, including salsa, merengue, cumbia, authentic jazz (charleston), hip-hop, and reggaetn. These art forms serve as both a creative outlet and a framework for teaching discipline, teamwork, self-confidence, and cultural awareness. Complementing its dance programming, the organization's sports-based curriculum incorporates movement, rhythm, and physical education to reinforce coordination, collaboration, and healthy lifestyle habits. Together, these programs provide students with practical sel strategies in a fun, engaging, and accessible format that resonates across diverse school communities.all instruction is delivered by a carefully selected team of highly qualified teaching artists and program staff who undergo rigorous training in classroom management, youth development, and standards-based arts instruction prior to entering the classroom. This ensures program consistency, instructional quality, and alignment with educational objectives. Conga kids' model emphasizes structure, engagement, and positive reinforcement, creating safe and supportive environments where students can thrive.conga kids partners with public school districts across los angeles county, orange county, and san bernardino county, delivering programming directly at school sites during the instructional day and in expanded learning settings. Current district partners include los angeles unified school district (lausd), lennox, west covina, rosemead school district, inglewood unified school district, compton unified school district, mountain view school district, el monte city school district, hacienda la puente unified school district, pomona unified school district, anaheim elementary school district, baldwin park unified school district, glendale unified school district, garvey school district, vista charter, san bernardino city unified school district, and abc unified school district.as of 2025, conga kids is actively serving 217 public schools across 23 southern California school districts, reaching approximately 60,000 students annually-many of whom come from low-income and historically underserved communities. Through its programs, conga kids not only expands access to arts education, but also strengthens school culture, supports student engagement, and contributes to improved social and emotional outcomes at scale.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 64.3%; rating input score 64
• Program expense ratio: 81.8%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: $12.44 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Fail
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 15.7%; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.46; rating input score 68; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 20.6%; rating input score 12; 12th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 26% per year; rating input score 100; 90th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 26.3% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 37% per year; rating input score 100; 96th percentile among comparable filings