Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

What it reported doing in 2024

Each year, wolf trap education delivers high quality arts-learning experiences to 95,000 children and adults, locally, nationally, and internationally. At the heart of wolf trap's education outreach for more than four decades, the wolf trap institute for early learning through the arts (institute) is recognized nationally as a model for incorporating the performing arts into early childhood curricula. Conducting early childhood education through arts integration in 26 states and the district of columbia, including 28 wolf trap institute affiliate sites across the us and in singapore, the institute provides direct services to children birth through 6 years of age and multiplies its impact through professional development for early childhood educators, parents, and caregivers. The institute seeks to address two primary concerns: (1) the learning and development of children who live in economically disadvantaged circumstances; and (2) access to effective professional development for teachers who work with these children. By integrating performing arts strategies into early childhood standards-based instruction, the institute enhances children's cognitive, physical, and social/emotional development, as well as language and literacy, science, technology, engineering, and math (stem) skills development. During the summer of 2024, wolf trap education served 20,906 children, parents, and other caregivers through wolf trap children's theatre-in-the-woods (ctitw). Building on four decades as a beloved community institution, this program comprises seven weeks of performances with nationally acclaimed professional musicians, actors, and dancers at an outdoor venue situated in the woods near the filene center at wolf trap national park for the performing arts. This unique, family-friendly venue offers the perfect environment for lively adventures in music, dance, theater, and puppetry. Wolf trap's field trip program offered free performances for nearly 1,400 students, teachers, and parents/caregivers participating in the institute residency program. Wolf trap education also manages the organization's internship and apprenticeship program, a highly competitive program consistently ranked among the nation's best. Valuing a commitment to the power of the arts to change society, wolf trap offers professional development opportunities and broadens access and entry into the arts management profession by offering stipends as a part of the internship and apprenticeship program. In 2024, the foundation hired 53 interns and apprentices to work in departments across the organization. Wolf trap education annually acknowledges and awards the work and achievements of thirteen outstanding performing arts teachers from school districts in the dc/md/va metro area through grants for middle school and high school performing arts teachers.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 85.3%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.61 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 98%; rating input score 98; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -18%; rating input score 4; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.41; rating input score 51; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.08; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3.4%; rating input score 32; 32nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 8.9% per year; rating input score 100; 69th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.9% per year; rating input score 100; 59th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 9% per year; rating input score 100; 65th percentile among comparable filings