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Congregations Linked in Urban Strategy to Effect Renewal Inc

EIN 13-2834016 · Yonkers, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CLUSTER COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSISTS RESIDENTS IN WESTCHESTER AND ROCKLAND COUNTIES TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH SERVICES SUCH AS: MENTAL HEALTH HOUSING, EVICTION AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION, MEDIATION, LEMON LAW ARBITRATION, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS THAT INCLUDE AFTER-SCHOOL, SUMMER CAMP AND ADOLESCENT LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$8.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 59%
Employees
104
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$174,758, executive director

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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 61% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (4)
  1. $5.1 million spent. CLUSTER'S MENTAL HEALTH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM ARE LICENSED THROUGH NYS OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH. THOSE PROGRAMS PROVIDE HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS. MANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE HAVE BEEN HOMELESS, INCARCERATED OR HAVE EXPERIENCED LONG TERM HOSPITALIZATION. USING A PERSON-CENTERED TRAUMA INFORMED APPROACH; WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO INDIVIDUALS TO ACHIEVE THEIR LIFE GOALS. OUR CLIENTS BENEFIT FROM THIS WITH STABLE HOUSING, DECREASED HOSPITALIZATIONS AND REDUCED RECIDIVISM. OUR 5TH PROGRAM IS UNLICENSED AND 91% OF THOSE SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAM RESIDENTS HAVE MAINTAINED INDEPENDENT HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 2 YEARS. WE PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC WORKSHOPS WITH LOCAL ARTISTS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE GROUPS. TO PROMOTE WELLNESS AND RECOVERY, WE PROVIDE CLIENTS WITH AN ONSITE PSYCHIATRIST, NURSE PRACTITIONER AND GRADUATE LEVEL INTERNS.
  2. $926,437 spent. THE WESTCHESTER AND ROCKLAND MEDIATION CENTER PROVIDES MEDIATION, ARBITRATION AND TRAINING SERVICES TO THE LARGER WESTCHESTER AND ROCKLAND COMMUNITIES. THROUGH A CONTRACT AWARDED TO THE CENTER FROM THE NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT, MEDIATION IS OFFERED AS AN OPTION TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING A CURRENT LEGAL DISPUTE IN PARTNERED SMALL CLAIMS AND FAMILY COURTS. MEDIATION IS ALSO OFFERED TO INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS ON A SLIDING SCALE BASIS WHEN DISPUTES ARE SELF-REFERRED. THE CENTER OFFERS MEDIATION SERVICES FOR FAMILY, CIVIL, LANDLORD-TENANT, TRUST AND ESTATE, COMMERCIAL AND MATRIMONIAL MATTERS. THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE NEW YORK STATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION ASSOCIATION (NYSDRA), THE WESTCHESTER ROCKLAND MEDIATION CENTER PROVIDES LEMON LAW ARBITRATION SERVICES FOR CASES REFERRED IN WESTCHESTER AND ROCKLAND COUNTY FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. SPECIAL EDUCATION MEDIATION IS ALSO OFFERED AND PROVIDED THROUGH A NYSDRA CONTRACT WITH THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (NYSED). IN 2024, THE MEDIATION CENTER PROVIDED OVER 721 MEDIATIONS IN CIVIL, FAMILY, SUPREME, SURROGATES COURTS, AND SCHOOL-GENERATED CASES.
  3. $595,832 spent. CLUSTER'S EVICTION PREVENTION SERVICES PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SINGLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING EVICTION DUE TO NON-PAYMENT OF RENT AS WELL AS INTRA AND INTER-PERSONAL DISPUTES. POTENTIAL EVICTIONS HAVE BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WHICH HAS BEEN THE FOCAL POINT OF OUR DIRECT SERVICE SINCE 2020. CLUSTER CASE MANAGERS PROVIDE ON-SITE ASSISTANCE TO CLIENTS IN DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS) DISTRICT OFFICES IN YONKERS AND MT. VERNON, AND IN OUR MAIN OFFICE LOCATED IN YONKERS, NY. AS PART OF OUR OVERALL ASSESSMENT, CASE MANAGERS PROVIDE DETAILED BUDGET REVIEWS, FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND NEGOTIATE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN LANDLORDS AND TENANTS TO PREVENT CLIENTS FROM BECOMING HOMELESS. IN 2023, CLUSTER PROVIDED FUNDS TO HALT EVICTIONS FOR MORE THAN 150 SINGLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
  4. $542,725 spent. CLUSTER'S HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION SERVICES ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO FACE LOSING THEIR HOUSING DUE TO ILLEGAL EVICTIONS, CODE ENFORCEMENT ISSUES AND EMERGENCY DISPLACEMENTS CAUSED BY NATURAL DISASTERS. CLUSTER ALSO PROVIDES CLIENTS WITH BENEFITS ADVOCACY, BUDGET COUNSELING, RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND TENANT RIGHTS EDUCATION. CLUSTER ALSO PROVIDES RE-HOUSING SERVICES FOR SINGLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES CURRENTLY LIVING IN SHELTERS. CLUSTER HAS ALSO PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS FOR HOUSEHOLDS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ENDING IN 2023/2024. CLUSTER ASSISTED MORE THAN 1,300 FAMILIES/INDIVIDUALS WITH DIRECT SERVICES SUCH AS BUDGETING AND COUNSELING.

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

  1. 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1976.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 October 7, 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.