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Christodora Inc

EIN 13-5562192 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 50 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

To encourage the positive academic and developmental growth of New York City youth through stimulating educational and challenging outdoor programs. 3x winner of Hi-Impact Award for Program Excellence

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
41.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
52
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$169,740, 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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 41.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 102% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 50 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 (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 23 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 (3)
  1. $1.3 million spent. Christodora's wilderness camp, Manice Education Center (MEC), located in the Hoosac mountain range of northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts, provides the main facility for programs in environmental education, wilderness immersion and development of social- emotional skills. MEC offers students between the ages of 11 and 18 a carefully constructed ladder of opportunities beginning with the one-week Introductory Course for sixth graders, proceeding to longer Foundation and Advanced courses, and cumulating with intensive High School Leadership Training and BRIDGE career readiness programs. Building on foundations of the "3 Rs" (positive risk-taking, respect and responsibility), students set goals, work on team projects, study ecology and leadership and master challenging backcountry adventures.Half of the staff are returning alumni, providing intensive small group support, and serving as powerful role models for success.MEC also hosts school groups for multi-day field trips during the fall and spring, often in connection with the in-classroom Winter Ecology Program (WEP).In 2024 the Organization provided scholarships to 154 attendees.
  2. $204,917 spent. Christodora's Community of Rising Environmentalists and other weekend/out-of-school time programs enable students to stay active and connected year-round and to become agents of renewal within their communities and in natural areas throughout the city. Ongoing weekend programs are based at Bronx River Park in the Bronx. With expert peer leadership, they perform community service, conservation and citizen science projects and continue Christodora's traditions of environmental stewardship, community engagement and leadership. Students gain exposure to career pathways and develop job readiness skills.
  3. $136,609 spent. Christodora's Winter Ecology Program (WEP) brings teams of Christodora environmental educators to over 70 middle and high school classrooms in under-resourced neighborhoods for an engaging and hands-on 7-week Introduction to Ecology course. The curriculum is customized to meet the needs of each classroom and teacher and is aligned with NY State and Next Generation Science Standards. This hands-on course inspires many students to become involved in our afterschool and Summer Ecology and Leadership programs. In a usual year, 22 school groups take transformative 3-day field trips to the MEC.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.