Brooklyn Heights Association Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Brooklyn Heights Association, Inc (BHA) is a Not-For-Profit organization, founded in 1910 and later incorporated in the state of New York in 1948. BHA's primary purpose is the preservation, protection and enhancement of the quality of life in Brooklyn Heights. Such objectives are accomplished through stimulating an interest in, and promoting the welfare of the Brooklyn Heights community among its residents and business men and women; maintaining the quality of life in Brooklyn, Heights as a residential area; and furthering public activities for its betterment.
- Income
- $527,330
- Spending
- $446,615
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 18 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $127,550, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 373% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $142,092 spent. Public Outreach:The Brooklyn Heights Association keeps residents informed about issues that affect the community through various means, including email and public meetings. The BHA also acts as a liaison between government agencies and other civic organizations on behalf of the Brooklyn Heights community.
- $95,195 spent. Community Planning & Preservation:The Brooklyn Heights Association plays an advisory role on historic preservation issues that come before the community board and landmarks preservation commission. The BHA also advocates on behalf of the community on issues pertaining to land use planning, infrastructure needs and real estate development, and as necessary, will initiate legal action to achieve its land use and development objectives.
- $80,375 spent. Community Maintenance and improvement:The Brooklyn Heights Association helps fund the planting and maintenance of street trees and of the gardens on the Brooklyn Heights promenade and informs the community of proper tree maintenance practices.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1978.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.