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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: November 2023 Expires: November 2025

DREAM

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
Accreditation seal
(212) 722-1608
1991 2nd Ave
New York, NY, 10029-6302
https://wearedream.org
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Stated Purpose:
Harlem RBI dba DREAM traces its beginnings to 1991, when a group of volunteers transformed an abandoned, garbage-strewn lot into two baseball diamonds for the youth of East Harlem. More than 30 years later, the organization serves thousands of children across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of free, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools, youth development programming, and postsecondary supports. By developing a whole child model that is responsive to the unique academic and social needs of every child, DREAM is creating a future where all children are equipped to fulfill their vision of success.

Year, State Incorporated:
1991, NY

Harlem RBI dba DREAM provides comprehensive academic, enrichment and sports programming to more than 2,000 East Harlem and the Bronx youth during after-school and summer hours. DREAM's on- and off-the-field activities consist of a series of age-appropriate, team-based programs that adapt over time as participants grow and enable youth to achieve positive outcomes such as academic achievement, healthy social and emotional development, high school graduation, college matriculation and avoidance of risk behaviors. DREAM runs OST (out-of-school time) programming for students enrolled at DREAM Charter School and youth not enrolled in DREAM schools. These OST programs are as follows.
- REAL Kids (K-5): REAL Kids after-school and summer programs serve elementary school youth in East Harlem and the Bronx by providing access to sports, SEL-development, academic support, and stopping summer learning loss.
- DreamBuilders (middle school): DreamBuilders receive social, emotional, physical, and academic enrichment in a team-based environment. Through workshops, one-on-one tutoring, case management, service-learning projects, and time on the ball field, DreamBuilders are headed for success as they transition into high school and adulthood.
- Legends (post-secondary): Legends serves DREAM OST alumni who have graduated high school and enrolled in college or a different post-secondary program.

For the year ended June 30, 2023, DREAM's program expenses were:

Salaries $8,877,577
Occupancy $2,953,918
Payroll taxes and employee benefits $1,632,020
Professional fees $1,352,096
Depreciation and amortization $1,117,090
Office cleaning and maintenance $788,461
Youth program food and events $625,930
Telephone and utilities $568,710
Other $405,443
Scholarships and stipends $401,125
Communication and outreach $381,594
Information technology $315,758
Insurance $309,320
Interest, band and credit card fees $227,401
Dues and subscriptions $184,856
Baseball, umpires, equipment and fees $113,315
Travel and entertainment $91,161
Instructors and tutors $19,213
Grants $2,000
Total Program Expenses $20,366,988

Chief Executive
Richard Berlin & Eve Colavito, Co-Chief Executive Officers

Chair of the Board
Vik Sawhney, Chairperson

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

Board Size
29

Paid Staff Size
500

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 13.22%

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on DREAM's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2023.

Source of Funds
Contributions $9,549,238
Contractual services $8,225,286
Rental income $4,150,000
Forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program loan $1,938,682
Government grants $1,038,236
Special events revenue $548,968
In-kind contributions $442,519
Other income $99,861
Investment activity $14,012
Total Income $26,006,802

Programs: 72% Fundraising: 6% Administrative: 21%

Total Income $26,006,802
Total expenses: $28,178,536
  Program expenses $20,366,988
  Fundraising expenses $1,786,856
  Administrative expenses $6,024,692
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-2,171,734
Beginning Net Assets $65,995,703
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $63,823,969
Total Liabilities $27,959,502
Total Assets $91,783,471

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Foundation of Metropolitan New York