The Misty Copeland Foundation Inc

What it reported doing in 2025

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 li

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 58.4%; rating input score 58
• Program expense ratio: 76.2%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: $10.37 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• 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; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 25.1%; rating input score 78; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.59; rating input score 57; 57th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.04; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 12.7%; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 49.1% per year; rating input score 100; 95th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 38.7% per year; rating input score 100; 94th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 43.2% per year; rating input score 100; 94th percentile among comparable filings