DANCE IN AMERICA: SNAPFACTS 2003
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DANCE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

From August through October, 2003, Dance/USA in cooperation with the Florida Dance Association conducted an exploratory survey of Dance Service Organizations in America. The survey asked basic information in order to capture a picture of the field. A total of 28 replies were received. Here are some highlights.

Dance Service Organizations ("DSO's") are widely diverse.
The clearest general characteristic illuminated by the survey is that DSO's vary so widely in terms of age, budget size, mission and number of Board members that it is difficult to generalize about them.

Many organizations are seriously challenged in the current economic climate.
Eight out of 28 organizations describe themselves as "struggling to maintain." Others are more optimistic, but only seven claim "healthy and growing."

Earned income ratios vary widely.
Three organizations report 98 percent to 100 percent earned income. At the opposite extreme, two report no reliance on earned income whatsoever. The remaining 23 are randomly scattered across the spectrum.

Most DSO's address a wide and varied constituency.
Offered nine check-offs for constituent groups (including "other"), 18 respondents elect either 8 or 9 check-offs. The lowest number of check-offs elected is three.

Most DSO's are apparently understaffed.
Four DSO's with budgets over $800K report more than six FT and PT paid staff. Of the remaining 24 respondents, 17 report two, one or even zero paid staff.

DSO's offer a wide range of programs.
Asked to list their three most important programs, DSO's report over 25 distinguishable activities, even when similar ones are grouped. Most common are publications and related forms of communication (e.g. website) with 24 entries.

DSO's are starved for money.
Asked to list their challenges, respondents overwhelmingly name money and lack of sufficient funding, with 27 responses. This is more than double the number of responses for any other named challenge.

This lack of money is a paramount priority.
Asked to list professional development programs they might find valuable, respondents overwhelmingly name fundraising or marketing seminars.