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Committee for a Better New Orleans

EIN 72-0955656 · New Orleans, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We work to create equity and opportunity for all New Orleanians by developing community leaders, fostering civic engagement, and advocating for open, effective, accountable government.

Income
$107,720
Spending
$220,576
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
20.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
3
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$80,000, 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: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 105% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 44 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 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $42,895 spent. Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum - In 2024, CBNO hosted our 57th Annual Bryan Bell Leadership Forum, graduating 48 participants. 92% reported growth in civic understanding. Graduates left inspired to continue engaging: five attended a board and commission training hosted by CBNO, and one created a coalition advocating for mental health services that meets monthly.
  2. $82,640 spent. Better Bus Stops Initiative - In 2024, CBNO partnered with RTA and RIDE New Orleans to advance equitable transit infrastructure. Supported by a grant from the Greater New Orleans Foundations Next 100 Years Challenge, CBNO gathered input from 500+ transit riders, inventoried bus stop conditions, and convened stakeholders from the RTA, City,and State DOT to address barriers to implementing bus stop shelters. Youth engagement included a Build Your Dream Bus Stop project, where three local brothers (ages 11-18) designed a shelter in Minecraft and prepared to present it to the RTAs design team.
  3. $33,376 spent. Peoples Budget Project & Big Easy Budget Coalition - CBNO advanced budget equity through the Peoples Budget Project and its leadership role in the Big Easy Budget Coalition. In 2024, CBNO educated 828 residents on the City budget, collected 400+ surveys, and held 12 meetings with City Council and departments. These efforts contributed to securing $37 million in reinvestment for community priorities, including housing, youth services, and violence reduction. More then 30 coalition partners participated in these advocacy and engagement efforts.
  4. Changemakers Series - The Changemekers Series offered free civic education events designed to make civic engagement accessible and engaging. In 2024, CBNO hosted 3 events with 84 attendees and reached 993 people through online resources. Highlights included City Council 101, co-led with council staff and community partners, and the Big Easy Budget & Ballot Bash, which drew 60 participants. The series contributed to a 25% increase in civic confidence among participants.
  5. Changemakers Series - The Changemekers Series offered free civic education events 0. 0. 0.

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 May 1983.

    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.