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Encore Awards

National Dance Institute (NDI) is a nonprofit arts education organization founded by New York City Ballet legend Jacques d’Amboise in 1976. Through award-winning arts and learning programs, NDI has touched the lives of more than two million children. Founded in 2000, ING Direct is at the forefront of Internet banking with 6 million customers and assets of $77 billion.

A longstanding supporter of the arts and education with a commitment to giving back to underserved populations in its local communities, ING became involved with its neighborhood school, PS 111. The school, which serves many low-income families living in Hell’s Kitchen housing projects and homeless shelters, had low test scores, high staff turnover, and recurring discipline problems. The principal was determined students would benefit most from arts education.

Elaine Clark, ING’s Director of Corporate Communications and head of the Community Projects working with PS 111’s principal, chose NDI’s in-school dance program as the best use of ING’s resources in order to bring positive change to the school. As a result, NDI’s involvement at PS 111 has grown, now encompassing two full-year programs for both fourth and fifth grades—all fully funded by ING.