Beginning in 1960, the Founding Member Organizations of The International Association of Blacks in Dance, Inc. (IABD) - Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD), Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT), Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), Lula Washington Dance Theatre (LWDT), Philadanco!, The Philadelphia Dance Company (DANCO) -
rooted in the Black Dance tradition, have played unique and vital roles within their individual communities and in the Dance field. Since each company's founding, they have created access and opportunity for Black Dance
artists, at-risk youth, and helped to shape and develop leading administrators, arts leaders, choreographers, companies, and dancers over the last 50+ years.
These organizations have existed from 38-50 years in the Black dance field (in order of oldest to youngest) Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (1968); Philadanco!, The Philadelphia Dance Company (1970); Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (1970); Dallas Black Dance Theatre (1976); Lula Washington Dance Theatre (1980), and represent national presence in the dance field throughout the United States in California, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. They are documented historical breeders of professional dancers and considered “Mothers” to the Black dance field.
These Institutions have proven their effectiveness of leadership and development through various programs, and must continue their work artistically, in their communities and throughout the world. Over the years, IABD has seen Black-led dance companies close down operations. The struggle for these companies to keep their doors open is ongoing, whether a small to mid-sized organization, geographically isolated, or a community-based institution. The loss of these organizations is significant and weakens the dance ecosystem as a whole. While there are many contributing factors, the financial challenges of these organizations represent decades of marginalization by the arts funding infrastructure. To address this issue within the Black dance sector, IABD is partnering with the
Nonprofit Finance Fund® (NFF) to pilot a capitalization project that moves beyond a conversation about the importance of equity into strategy and action.
Managing Organizational Vitality and Endurance (MOVE) is a collaborative program with NFF that delivers methodology and resources to strengthen the financial and organizational health of the IABD Membership. As an existing body of dance companies, IABD is uniquely positioned to tackle this issue. NFF provides the analytic basis, requisite data, training, and planning for a comprehensive initiative that addresses the financial capacity and capitalization needs for long-term stability of these critical dance organizations.
MOVE is a continuous program. The Planning Stage (2017-2018) involved diagnostics, education and preparation. The partners used convenings, surveys, individual conversations, financial analyses, along with site visits, to understand the strengths and challenges of the IABD Membership. Points such as limited knowledge on the diverse ways capital can be implemented, challenges with facilities, gentrification and displacement of core audiences, and staff capacity, including succession, were key issues that needed to be addressed. The MOVE program was designed to support organizations as they navigate these nuanced challenges. To view participating organizations of the Planning Stage, click here.
As an organization that has been servicing the Black dance community for many years with a focus on education, networking, and professional development, IABD is poised to bring to light the innovative methodologies of these Black-led dance organizations, that enabled them to make historic accomplishments in spite of pervasive and sometimes crippling racism as well as systemic financial inequities – utilizing dance as a means of protest, survival, and social change.
IABD and NFF recently completed Phase 1 (2018-2021) of COHI | MOVE Alpha. This phase engaged a cohort of 30 Member organizations
in a four year process designed to enhance sustainability. The process includes organization- and cohort-level financial analyses, seminars that will help participants used financial information in decision-making, and
assessments designed to identify core needs that will inform next steps toward financial strength and flexibility. Cohort members have access to general operating support, change capital, technical assistance and a team
of consultants to help them to manage their current situations and to experiment with new possibilities with mitigated risk. MOVE also provided support for the entire IABD Membership through specialized learning opportunities,
access to consultations with field specialists, and facilitated peer exchanges with cohort participants during the Annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance.
To view participating organizations of Phase I, click here.
Phase 2 (2021-2024) of COHI | MOVE Beta will convene an INFLUENCERS and a COLLECTIVE cohort
in order to continue the capacity building and capital deployment methods used to strengthen the Black Dance companies that participated in the Alpha iteration. Over the approximately four-year period, the cohorts will
receive structured support, including: in-depth financial analyses; peer-learning clinics; general operating support; and customized financial consulting engagements. Though not a part of the COHI | MOVE Beta funding, organizations
who demonstrate a need and readiness for change will be invited to submit an application for change capital grants to support the implementation of business model repositioning. COHI | MOVE Beta will
permit distribution of $1,775,000 in MOVE grants to 30 member companies
beginning in 2021. Five member companies, recognized as the INFLUENCERS
Cohort, will each receive $150,000 over the next three years, while the
remaining 25 companies, recognized as the COLLECTIVE Cohort, will
receive more than $31,000 per company over the next three years.
For the cohorts, key considerations for participation include:
- commitment to collaborative participation and engagement with IABD, NFF, program consultants, and cohort companies
- commitment to participation in an organizational and financial assessment and to provide supporting data in a timely manner
- the depth of community relationships
- demand for local based programming greater than the organization’s ability to provide
- engagement and demonstrated support of local artists and the local arts community
- demonstrated loss for the community if this organization no longer existed
COLLECTIVE Cohort Eligibility Criteria, Considerations, and Selection
During
the three-year period (2021-2023), IABD and NFF will plan for and
deliver a set of services to THE COLLECTIVE, comprised of up to 25
companies. Participating organizations must meet the following
definitions for inclusion:
- Organizations with 501(c)3 status (fiscally sponsored organizations are not eligible)
- Annual operating budget of at least $100,000, including in-kind support
- US-based dance company of African or African-American history or origin
- U.S. based dance company led by and/or serving people of African or African American history or origin
- Operating for five (5) or more consecutive years
- Ability to provide five (5) years of financial statements (audited or internal)
- Vested interest and support of IABD, demonstrated through maintained IABD membership
Materials required for the application:
- Organizational Statement (narrative)
- Financial Information for 2018, 2019, 2020
- If the organization worked with an auditor: Audits, Reviews and/or Compilations
- If the organization did not work with an auditor: Available
990s, Profit and Loss (income and expense) statements, and balance
sheets (assets, liabilities, & net assets) from Quickbooks or in an
Excel document
- PDFs ONLY acceptable for audits and 990s
- For 2021
- Operating Budget (Projected)
- Supplemental Materials
- Please share up to three (3) additional items that demonstrate your
community engagement, impact, and/or partnerships. Materials may
illustrate how your organization has impacted the surrounding community;
in what ways your organization demonstrates community engagement; what
programs your organization currently offers that exhibit community
impact.
IABD Member Organizations, click here, for additional information, application and eligibility requirements. Please login to your member account. Not a member? Join us! Learn about IABD membership here.
In partnership with the Nonprofit Finance Fund, IABD will offer access to financial coaching so that companies may receive strategic feedback and guidance as they seek to apply the learnings to their organizations. IABD will also underwrite access to discrete consulting engagements over the course of the three-year period.
Through the Ford Foundation, IABD will facilitate broadened access to the COHI | MOVE program resources through the launch of an extension called Building Up: Integrated Learning and Development (BUILD) and distribute $375,000 to a cohort of 25 additional member companies. The BUILD cohort will have access to the financial and organizational health resources developed during the 2018-2021 COHI | MOVE program. From 2021-2024, the BUILD cohort will engage in virtual and in-person convenings designed to address critical issues and industry-wide concerns; have opportunities for continued professional development, networking opportunities and peer-to-peer engagement; and gain access to vital resources including emergency preparedness planning, emergency relief funding, and fiscal sponsorship. Participating companies will receive $15,000 each over a three-year period.
IABD’s very existence recognizes that if we, as Blacks in dance, do not endeavor to preserve and promote dance by people of African ancestry or origin then there is certainly no other group who should or will take on this responsibility.
This program is generously funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Ford Foundation
Press Release information:
For more information, contact:
Denise Saunders Thompson
President and Chief Executive Officer
The International Association of Blacks in Dance
contact@iabdassociation.org
Chaya Scott
Vice President, Consulting
Nonprofit Finance Fund
cscott@nff.org
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