Isles Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ISLES' MISSION IS TO FOSTER SELF-RELIANT FAMILIES AND HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES, WE DESIGN AND DEVELOP EFFECTIVE SERVICES THAT SUPPORT THIS MISSION AND SHARE WHAT WE LEARN WITH OTHERS WHO CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
- Income
- $12.9 million
- Spending
- $15.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 7.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 80%
- Employees
- 170
- Volunteers
- 135
- Highest pay
- $149,395, chief executive officer/ex
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: 68 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.6 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 36% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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
7 of 7Has a 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (6)
- $4.7 million spent. COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT (CP&D) : ISLES COLLABORATES WITH RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND PRIORITIES CREATE COMMUNITY LED NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS AND SECURE RESOURCES TO SUSTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION EFFORTS OVER THE LONG TERM. IN ADDITION, ISLES LEADS CITYWIDE RESEARCH AND PLANNING INITIATIVES RELATED TO BLIGHT REDUCTION, CREATIVE PLACEMAKING, AND FOOD SYSTEMS. ISLES ALSO PURCHASES, IMPROVES, AND DEVELOPS REAL ESTATE IN DOWNTOWN TRENTON, AND MANAGES AND MAINTAINS AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS TO MODERATE THE MARKET AND ENSURE HEALTHY, SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING REMAINS AVAILABLE FOR LONGTERM RESIDENTS. IN 2024, THIS WORK INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: PARTNERING WITH TRENTON CITY TO REVITALIZE BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION PROGRAM DESIGNED AND INSTALLED NEW SIGNAGE AND SAFETY MEASURES FOR 14 DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES HOSTED OR SUPPORTED 81 COMMUNITY EVENTS. URBAN AGRICULTURE: ISLES SUPPORTS OVER 70 COMMUNITY, SCHOOL, BACKYARD, AND INSTITUTIONAL GARDENS IN 2024, WE: PROVIDED 20+ WORKSHOPS IN GARDENING, NUTRITION, BEEKEEPING, AND COOKING, REACHING MORE THAN 200 YOUTH AND RESIDENTS, AND DONATED MORE THAN 700 LBS OF PRODUCE TO EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLIERS SUPPORTED OVER 200 GARDENERS IN TRENTON.
- $5.8 million spent. ISLES' CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING (CEET): CEET IS A GREEN COLLAR JOB TRAINING FACILITY, TARGETING CAREERS IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. THIS YEAR, CEET: TRAINED 272 INDIVIDUALS IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY (BOTH VIRTUALLY AND INPERSON) IN ADDITION, ISLES CONTINUES TO BE A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR LEAD AND HEALTHY HOMES PUBLIC EDUCATION, POLICY CHANGE AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR LEAD PAINT REMEDIATION.
- $1.3 million spent. SOCIAL PROFIT CENTER AT MILL ONE: IS A HISTORIC FORMER TEXTILE MILL ON THE TRENTON/HAMILTON BORDER THAT ISLES CONVERTED INTO A HIGHPERFORMING, MIXED USE REGIONAL HUB FOR DOZENS OF SOCIAL PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THE CENTER FOSTERS A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ORGANIZATIONS TO THRIVE AND FIND NEW WAYS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMMING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. IN 2024, WE MAINTAINED NEARLY FULL OCCUPANCY WITH 34 INCLUDING 23 NONPROFITS. WE CONTINUE TO HOST REGULAR TENANT MEETINGS AND OTHER PROGRAMMING TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY SPIRITED ENGAGEMENTS THAT FOSTER COLLABORATION AND ENHANCED IMPACT AMONGST TENANTS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
- $1.2 million spent. ISLES YOUTH INSTITUTE (IYI): IYI OFFERS ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION OPTIONS FOR DISENGAGED STUDENTS SEEKING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA, JOB SKILLS, AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING. 25 IYI STUDENTS GRADUATED EARNING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS. 46 STUDENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ALUMNI PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL JOB TRAINING, INTERNSHIP, AND SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS FOR MORE THAN 45 YOUTH, WHICH INCLUDED BEAUTIFYING AND MAINTAINING THE TRENTON CITY HALL OUTDOOR ATRIUM AND IMPROVING COMMUNITY CENTERS. 67 YOUTH EARNED CERTIFICATIONS IN CPR, OSHA, AND PREAPPRENTICE CONSTRUCTION TRAINING.
- $485,339 spent. FINANCIAL SERVICES: ISLES CONTINUED TO OFFER HOMEBUYER AND FORECLOSURE COUNSELING TO PREPARE LOW AND MODERATEINCOME INDIVIDUALS FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP AND TO HELP FAMILIES AVOID FORECLOSURE. WE ALSO OFFERED ISLES FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS (IFS), AN EMPLOYERBASED FINANCIAL CAPABILITY INITIATIVE FOR LOWER WAGE WORKERS THAT INCLUDES AN INNOVATIVE MIX OF FINANCIAL COACHING, CREDITBUILDING FINANCE, SAVINGS PRODUCTS, AND GROUPBASED LEARNING. IFS WORKS WITH PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, CAPITAL HEALTH SYSTEMS AND LOCAL NONPROFITS. THIS YEAR: ISLES HAD 160 CUSTOMERS SEEKING HOUSING OR FORECLOSURE ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE. 63 CUSTOMERS PURCHASED A FIRST HOME. 354 CUSTOMERS RECEIVED IFS SERVICES.
- $205,554 spent. JOHNSON LEARNING CENTER - TO INVEST IN THE EMPOWERMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACHES AND ORGANIZATION IN BOTH TRENTON AND THROUGHOUT NJ, ISLES LAUNCHED THE JOHNSON CENTER FOR LEARNING & IMPACT IN 2022. WE DESIGNED THE CENTER FOR BE A VEHICLE THROUGH WHICH ISLES CAN ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE, BEST PRACTICES, AND RESOURCES; STRENGTHEN PUBLIC POLICIES; BUILD STRONGER DATA AND RESEARCH CAPACITY WITHIN ISLES; AND PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMMUNITY LEADERS. THE CENTER STRIVES TO MAXIMIZE THE REACH AND EFFECTIVENESS OF BOTH ISLES AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON SIMILAR ISSUES THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY. IT IS ALSO A BRIDGE BETWEEN PUBLIC POLICY AND ON-THE-GROUND SERVICES WITHIN THE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES. UNLIKE RESEARCH THAT IS OFTEN DONE IN AN ACADEMIC VACUUM, THE CENTER'S ROLE ALSO INCLUDES CROSS-POLLINATING BETWEEN RESEARCH AND GRASSROOTS SERVICES SO THAT BOTH ARE INFORMED BY EACH OTHER. THIS RESULTS IN ACTIONABLE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES THAT CAN BE DISSEMINATED BEYOND ISLES TO DRIVE POSITIVE CHANGE OUTSIDE OF THE GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE OF ISLES' PROGRAM, RESEARCH AND POLICY WORK. SPECIFICALLY, THIS YEAR, ISLES JOHNSON CENTER STAFF SPOKE AT MULTIPLE CONFERENCES ACROSS NEW JERSEY AND THE COUNTRY, HOSTED EVENTS ABOUT ENERGY AFFORDABILITY, BUILDING DECARBONIZATION, MICRO TRANSIT AND LEAD PAINT REMEDIATION. THE JOHNSON CENTER ALSO FOUGHT FOR INCREASED FUNDING FOR YOUTHBUILD PROGRAMS (LIKE THAT RUN BY ISLES YOUTH INSTITUTE) AND HOSTED 15 SUMMER INTERNS WHO GAINED PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN RESEARCH, POLICY, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1984.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.