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Caribbean Equality Project

EIN 47-2806715 · S Ozone Park, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Caribbean Equality Project is an NYC-based community organization that empowers, advocates for, and represents Afro and Indo-Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrants in New York City.

Income
$466,541
Spending
$547,462
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$82,003, 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: 38 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 59% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $60,582 spent. The Caribbean Equality Project (CEP) launched its monthly Food Justice Program in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Caribbean communities across New York City. In partnership with local officials and community organizations, CEP provides culturally responsive groceries, fresh produce, PPE,toiletries, period products, and other essential items???especially during Thanksgiving, Diwali, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. In 2024, CEP served over 22,000 low-income and undocumented LGBTQ+ people, immigrant families, and seniors through pop-up pantries in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and Soundview, The Bronx, which also offered health, housing, and voter resources to promote safety, dignity, and community care.
  2. $78,714 spent. Launched in 2021, the Caribbean Equality Project???s Trans Justice Unit (TJU) empowers trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive Caribbean immigrants through advocacy,direct support, and community care. Grounded in the legacies of resistance within human rights, labor, and racial justice movements, TJU advances trans liberation by providing access to affirming healthcare, sexual health resources, housing support, economic justice initiatives, workforce development, and immigration assistance for asylum seekers. The unit also leads legislative advocacy to strengthen trans rights and ensure equity, safety, and dignity for Caribbean trans communities.
  3. $37,187 spent. In 2022, the Caribbean Equality Project (CEP) launched Queeribbean Crossings, a community-centered, transnational conference dedicated to exploring queer and trans Caribbean histories and the ongoing realities of marginalization, resistance, and liberation. Hosted annually by CEP in partnership with the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, the conference aligns with the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence and Human Rights Day. It confronts gendered and racialized violence while fostering dialogue and action toward community-driven solutions. Queeribbean Crossings centers the intersections of cross-racial solidarity, intimate partner violence, liberation, immigration, trans equity, decriminalization, mental health, and HIV care, with a focus on the lived experiences of Black, Asian, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ Caribbean communities.
  4. Pagwah Social Justice Immigration Racial Justice City Wide Parades Pride Month Advocacy Unchained Capacity Building Civic Engagement

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 2025.

    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 July 2017.

    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.