Dancing Well The Soldier Project

What it reported doing in 2025

Mission: Dancing Well: The Soldier Project works to restore and maintain, through community dance, the well-being of Veterans and families affected by PTSD and/or brain injury. Vision: We actively work towards a world where Veterans affected by PTSD and/or brain injury heal and thrive, together with their families, loved ones, and the larger community. This work is primarily focused on the interpersonal connection and community engendered through people dancing together. Over the past 12 years we have provided 5,909 hours of engagement including community dance events, group outings, and one-on-one support between dances via visits, phone calls, and email and text messages. Online Videos: 104,848 views of Facebook Live Deborahs Dance Party videos featuring dance, relaxation, and song all supporting Veteran wellness (over 160 sessions). Created during pandemic to fight isolation and bring the benefits of Dancing Well into the home. These videos are now being migrated to a YouTube channel for future viewing. Community Dance Experiences: In 2025 we presented 12 90-minute Events serving 148 Veterans with PTSD or brain injury, other Veterans and loved ones, involving 158 volunteers. Strengthened and New Partnerships: We made connections with other Veteran service organizations, arts organizations and VA medical/clinical staff. Relationship with the VA: Finalized a new relationship with the VA Whole Health Initiative cemented by holding three dance events at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center, which were very well received. Leadership Training Review Process: We obtained more input from Veterans and loved ones and identified new important areas for development. Personal Support to Veterans and Families: We utilized Veteran assistance to help address emotional needs of participants. Providing contact between dance events through visits, outings, phone calls and texts we supported several families through major life changes, including the death of one of our Veterans who was a regular attendee. Survey Instrument and Assessment Procedures to improve DW programs: Survey results: Outcomes showed high levels of engagement, satisfaction and social connection for both Veterans and loved ones at DW events. 100% of Veterans with PTSD or brain injury: Felt engaged with activities Felt engaged with other participants Found the program fun Felt welcome Felt they belonged Felt a sense of community from being with other Veterans/loved ones at DW Felt freedom to express themselves Felt open to socializing with others at DW Are Very Likely to participate in another DW event Would recommend the program to others Diverse Community: Our attendees now include many ages, races, cultures, and philosophies peacefully gathering to dance and socialize. We regularly welcome Veterans who are blind, deaf, use a walker or cane, use oxygen or have other special considerations. Some dance, some watch, enjoy the music and socialize.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 90%; rating input score 90
• Program expense ratio: 100%; rating input score 100

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 10%; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.31; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 11.3% per year; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -0.6% per year; rating input score 0; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -35.3% per year; rating input score 0; 6th percentile among comparable filings