Ballet and Books
Ballet & Books is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit operating 12 university chapters that pair college student volunteers with K-5 children for free dance and literacy mentorship, funded by donations, grants, and book/merchandise sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersIthaca, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ballet and Books does
Ballet & Books is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2017 and headquartered in Ithaca, NY, that operates a hybrid storytelling curriculum combining dance and reading to address the U.S. literacy gap among elementary school children (K-5). Its core product is a network of 12 volunteer-led chapters hosted at universities across the United States — including Cornell, Princeton, Howard, UC Berkeley, Duke, UVA, Columbia/Barnard, UMich, Cincinnati/NKU, UNC Chapel Hill, Brown, NC A&T, and Spelman — where college student mentors deliver weekly free programs pairing group dance-literacy activities with one-on-one reading mentorship, culminating in semester-end performances. Each chapter operates in partnership with local libraries and dance groups (e.g., Tompkins County, Durham, Berkeley, Gordon Avenue, and Walnut Hills Branch libraries).
The organization has extended its IP into retail products, most notably the 2024 launch of the children's picture book 'When We Read' by Executive Director Talia Bailes with illustrations by Julia Schultz, priced at $19.99 in hardcover and distributed through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound. A branded merchandise storefront offers apparel, accessories, and program items priced from $3 to $69. Underlying 'technology' is the proprietary cognitive research-driven curriculum itself, supplemented by an organizational digital presence via website, e-commerce, email newsletter (Literary Moves), Medium blog, and social channels on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Ballet & Books generates revenue through four streams: individual and corporate donations, grants from ~11 community foundations and arts councils (Artswave, OAC, Tompkins, CAP, GlobalGiving, Extra Wish, UVA CIO Parents Foundation, Greater Atlanta Community Foundation, Orange Ribbons for Jaime, Ann Arbor Community Foundation, Maxwell Weaver Family Foundation), book sales, and merchandise sales. Programs are free to participants; the go-to-market model is community-led, with chapter growth driven by university partnerships, word-of-mouth, and a public contact form for new chapter inquiries. The organization is governed by an Executive Director-led national staff of ~10-15 core team members and a Board of Directors.
Ballet and Books firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ballet and Books
- Legal name
- Ballet & Books
- Website
- https://balletandbooks.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Ballet & Books is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit operating 12 university chapters that pair college student volunteers with K-5 children for free dance and literacy mentorship, funded by donations, grants, and book/merchandise sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ballet and Books industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Education Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Book Retailers and News Dealers (45921)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups (EDAMAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Early Literacy & Reading Intervention Programs (EDAGAAAD), Children’s Subscription & Book Club Publishing (MPAJAFAO)
Keywords
Where Ballet and Books is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ithaca
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ballet and Books business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary funding source through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns. The organization operates on charitable contributions from supporters to sustain and grow programs.
- Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including apparel (hoodies, t-shirts, sweatpants, leggings), accessories (bags, hats, socks, beanies), and program merchandise (stickers, flags). Sold through own online storefront.
- Book Sales (When We Read): Sale of the published children's picture book 'When We Read' by Talia Bailes with illustrator Julia Schultz. Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores. Priced at $19.99 for hardcover.
- Grants: Funding from grantors including UVA CIO Parents Foundation, Greater Atlanta Community Foundation, Orange Ribbons for Jaime, Ann Arbor Community Foundation, Maxewell Weaver Family Foundation, Artswave, Tompkins, CAP, OAC, Global Giving, and Extra Wish.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free programs for children participants |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Children's book - When We Read hardcover |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Branded merchandise - apparel and accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Ballet and Books product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ballet & Books delivers free, volunteer-led dance and literacy mentorship programs at 12 university chapters across the United States, pairing elementary school children (K-5) with college student mentors in weekly group and one-on-one sessions. The organization also sells a children's picture book titled 'When We Read' (by Talia Bailes, illustrated by Julia Schultz) and branded merchandise (apparel, accessories, and program items) through its online storefront to support and raise awareness of the mission.
Product overview
Ballet & Books is a national non-profit organization operating a hybrid storytelling program that combines dance and reading to reduce the literacy gap. The core offering consists of volunteer-led chapter programs at universities and colleges nationwide paired with the published children's book 'When We Read'. With 12 chapters nationwide, the organization has helped over 2,280 children since founding. The product portfolio includes: (1) the Dance and Literacy Mentorship Chapter Programs as the primary service—a free weekly program pairing children with college mentors for literacy development through dance; (2) the 'When We Read' children's picture book by Talia Bailes with illustrations by Julia Schultz, available in hardcover for $19.99; and (3) an e-commerce merchandise line featuring apparel (hoodies, t-shirts, sweatpants, leggings), accessories (tote bags, beanies, socks, stickers), and program items (flags, drawstring bags) ranging from $3 to $69. The programs culminate in semester-end performances where participants showcase their learning.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dance and Literacy Mentorship Chapter Programs A nationwide network of volunteer-led, cost-free programs that combine dance and reading to reduce the literacy gap. Chapters at colleges and universities pair elementary school children (K-5) with college student mentors for weekly group activities and one-on-one literacy mentorship, culminating in semester-end performances. Programs are delivered in partnership with libraries, schools, and community centers.
- When We Read (Children's Picture Book) A hardcover children's picture book by Talia Bailes with illustrations by Julia Schultz that encourages young readers to dance while they read. Features thoughtful representation to help all children see themselves in the story. Priced at $19.99 and available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores. Can be used in classrooms, dance studios, and homes to build a passion for reading.
- Ballet & Books Branded Merchandise Branded merchandise sold through the organization's own online storefront at balletandbooks.org/shop. Product line includes apparel (hoodies, t-shirts, sweatpants, leggings, pants, tank tops), accessories (organic tote bags, hats, embroidered socks, beanies, drawstring bags, stickers), and program merchandise (flags). Items are priced from $3 to $69.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2,200 children and student leaders helped since founding
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ballet and Books
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ballet and Books technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Ballet and Books partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Cornell UniversitycoreHost institution for Ithaca/Cornell chapter. Student volunteers from Cornell serve as mentors in the dance and literacy program for local children.
- Princeton UniversitycoreHost institution for Princeton chapter with Princeton University Ballet and Reinas y Diamantes as dance partners.
- Howard UniversitycoreHost institution for Howard chapter in Washington DC. Partners include Garrison Elementary School and Howard Bisonettes dance group.
- University of California, BerkeleycoreHost institution for UC Berkeley chapter with Ballet Company at Berkeley and Berkeley Public Library as partners.
- Duke UniversitycoreHost institution for Duke chapter in Durham, NC with Devils en Pointe dance group and Durham Public Library as partners.
- Columbia University/Barnard CollegecoreHost institution for Morningside Heights (NYC) chapter with Orchesis Dance Group and The Harlem Dream Center as partners.
- University of MichigancoreHost institution for UMich chapter in Ann Arbor with Ann Arbor Community Foundation as a key supporter.
- Northern Kentucky UniversitycorePartner institution for Cincinnati/NKU chapter with UC Cincinnati and Walnut Hills Brand Public Library.
- The Misty Copeland FoundationmajorNon-profit partner providing support and advocacy for diversity in dance and arts education.
- Discount Dance SupplyminorCorporate partner providing dance supplies and apparel support for programs.
- CapeziominorCorporate partner providing dance apparel and supplies for programs.
- Tompkins County Public LibrarycoreCommunity partner providing space and resources for Ithaca/Cornell chapter programs.
- Durham Public LibrarycoreCommunity partner providing space and resources for Duke chapter programs.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ballet and Books competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ballet and Books social profiles
Digital presenceBallet and Books financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ballet and Books leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Ballet and Books funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ballet and Books M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ballet and Books
What does Ballet and Books do?
Ballet & Books delivers free, volunteer-led dance and literacy mentorship programs at 12 university chapters across the United States, pairing elementary school children (K-5) with college student mentors in weekly group and one-on-one sessions. The organization also sells a children's picture book titled 'When We Read' (by Talia Bailes, illustrated by Julia Schultz) and branded merchandise (apparel, accessories, and program items) through its online storefront to support and raise awareness of the mission.
Is Ballet and Books a public or private company?
Ballet and Books is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ballet and Books founded?
Ballet and Books was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ballet and Books based?
Ballet and Books is headquartered in Ithaca, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ballet and Books make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales, book Sales (When We Read) and grants.
Does Ballet and Books have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ballet and Books.
What industry is Ballet and Books in?
Ballet and Books's product category is Youth Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAJAG, Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups, with a secondary code of EDAGAAAD, Early Literacy & Reading Intervention Programs. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.