Ballet and Books

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.

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

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

• Youth literacy programs
• Dance education
• Nonprofit mentorship
• Children's literacy
• Community education

Headquarters

HQ city

Ithaca

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Cornell UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Ithaca/Cornell chapter. Student volunteers from Cornell serve as mentors in the dance and literacy program for local children.
• Princeton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Princeton chapter with Princeton University Ballet and Reinas y Diamantes as dance partners.
• Howard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Howard chapter in Washington DC. Partners include Garrison Elementary School and Howard Bisonettes dance group.
• University of California, BerkeleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for UC Berkeley chapter with Ballet Company at Berkeley and Berkeley Public Library as partners.
• Duke UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Duke chapter in Durham, NC with Devils en Pointe dance group and Durham Public Library as partners.
• Columbia University/Barnard CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Morningside Heights (NYC) chapter with Orchesis Dance Group and The Harlem Dream Center as partners.
• University of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for UMich chapter in Ann Arbor with Ann Arbor Community Foundation as a key supporter.
• Northern Kentucky UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for Cincinnati/NKU chapter with UC Cincinnati and Walnut Hills Brand Public Library.
• The Misty Copeland FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partner providing support and advocacy for diversity in dance and arts education.
• Discount Dance SupplyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing dance supplies and apparel support for programs.
• CapeziominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing dance apparel and supplies for programs.
• Tompkins County Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing space and resources for Ithaca/Cornell chapter programs.
• Durham Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing space and resources for Duke chapter programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/balletbooks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ballet-books
• Instagraminstagram.com/balletbooks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ballet and Books