Armed Services Arts Partnership

“A draft of the 990 is reviewed by the Executive Director. The 990 is then distributed to the Board of Directors prior to filing with the IRS.”

“The organization regularly and consistently monitors and enforces compliance with the conflict of interest policy throughout the year.”

“The compensation of Executive Director is reviewed and approved by Board.”

“Copies of the audited financial statements and Form 990 are made available on the organization's website.”

“In June 2019, ASAP Founder Samuel Pressler stepped down as Executive Director while remaining on the Board of Directors. Brian Jenkins was unanimously selected by the Board to succeed him as Executive Director.”

“The Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) is a nonprofit with a mission to reintegrate veterans, service members, and military families into their communities through the arts. ASAP promotes expression, skill-development, and camaraderie through classes, workshops, and performances across a variety of artistic disciplines. The organization's focus on consistent programs and partnerships ensures that members of our community have continuous opportunities for artistic and personal growth. ASAP's approach provides participants with transferable life skills, a renewed sense of purpose, and improved well-being. At the same time, ASAP strengthen ties between veterans and their communities through the arts. ASAP offers free, six to eight-week classes across an array of art forms, including stand-up comedy, improv, storytelling, and creative writing. These courses provide participants with an outlet for expression and narrative development, skill-building, and social support in a safe, supportive environment. Classes culminate with graduation shows, which offer veterans a platform to share their stories with audiences of local civilian and military-affiliated community members. Once participants graduate from one of ASAP's classes, they are encouraged to continue their artistic development through the higher-level programming of the organization's partners. Those alumni who do not have the financial capacity to afford these opportunities can apply for ASAP's Scholarship Fund and receive full or partial support to continue with their artistic pursuits. Throughout the year, ASAP hosts monthly, free workshops across various artistic disciplines. These workshops are typically offered in collaboration with arts organizations and teaching artists, and range in duration from three hours to two full days. ASAP also hosts quarterly social events, which allow participants and alumni of different programs to form bonds and nurture relationships with one another. Finally, ASAP empowers its instructors and alumni to lead informal, monthly meetups. ASAP's active meetups include stand-up comedy and storytelling workshopping sessions, writing groups, and improv jams. The frequency and diversity of these programs provide ASAP alumni with continuous opportunities to grow, create, and connect with fellow veterans. Beyond ASAP's graduation shows, the organization partners with local arts centers, museums, performance venues, breweries, cafes, nonprofits, and other organizations to host monthly community performances. Such events include Veterans Open Mics - shows that invite local veteran/military-affiliated artists to perform comedy, storytelling, creative writing, and music - as well as performances exclusively focused on comedy, storytelling, or improv. The consistency and intimacy of these shows help build and sustain community among the military and civilian worlds.”

“Program instructors/ Other contract services: Program service expenses 73,634. Management and general expenses 12,563. Fundraising expenses 5,376. Total expenses 91,573.”