Building Skills Ny
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule OProviding manpower training and related assistance and supportive services to unemployed and underemployed persons, particularly those from economically disadvantaged areas of the City and State of New York, including residents of New York City Housing Authority projects, in order to increase their self-sufficiency, maximize job opportunities and reduce unemployment in the City and State of New York.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 16
- Highest pay
- $319,152, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
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, 2025, 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 (1)
- $1.6 million spent. Building Skills NY launched a construction industry employment initiative to hire New York City residents to work in the construction industry, and to create a career path for those hires who have the interest, capability and capacity to succeed in the construction trades. Participating developers and contractors ask their general contractors and subcontractors to commit to hire a number of Building Skills referrals over the course of the next year. These referrals are referred by public and not for profit agencies, are vetted by Building Skills, have an OSHA 30 and Site Safety Training certificate and are expected to have a minimal level of experience in construction. (Continued on Sch O) Contractors are asked to provide an opportunity for these new hires to work as laborers or helpers/assistants in their trades, and to evaluate them at the end of their employment. In addition to providing us with an assessment of their skills, contractors are asked to assess the prospects for these individuals to benefit for further training in a trade. We also ask if there are any other NYC residents working for the contractors who can also benefit from training. Building Skills is currently conducting courses in NCCER in Level One Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, and HVAC. In addition to the training, Building Skills maintains a database of experienced workers, referred by industry employers, for referral for future work. This virtual hiring hall, as it is built up over time, will provide a resource for contractors and subcontractors to address hiring needs. Contractors and subcontractors are asked to participate in this database by providing referrals of successful employees who are hired on a temporary basis, and by providing job placements when hiring opportunities arise.The goals of this initiative are three-fold. One, it is an opportunity for the industry to take steps to address unemployment and underemployment in New York City by committing to provide entry level jobs to New York City residents. Second, by creating a process to enable successful employees to receive further training and access to placement in jobs when an original job placement is completed, the initiative will enable these employees to develop the skills to learn a trade and have a career in the construction trades; Third, by providing training and a source of trained workers for employers, this initiative will create a better qualified and more productive workforce for the future. This program is primarily supported by contributions.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 2025.
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 July 2014.
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 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.