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Bronx River Alliance Inc

EIN 75-3001587 · Bronx, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BRONX RIVER ALLIANCE SERVES AS A COORDINATED VOICE FOR THE RIVER AND WORKS IN HARMONIOUS PARTNERSHIP TO PROTECT, IMPROVE AND RESTORE THE BRONX RIVER CORRIDOR SO THAT IT CAN BE A HEALTHY ECOLOGICAL, RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND ECONOMIC RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITIES THROUGH WHICH THE RIVER FLOWS.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
22
Volunteers
1,429
Highest pay
$162,622, 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 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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, 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 (4)
  1. $388,259 spent. THE ALLIANCE'S OUTREACH DEPARTMENT HOSTED FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS FEATURING EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AS WELL STEWARDSHIP AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH UNIQUE NATURE. OVER 1,200 PEOPLE PADDLED ON NYC'S ONLY FRESHWATER RIVER AS PART OF OUR FREE, LOW-COST, AND CHARTERED PADDLES. FROM APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER, WE HOSTED WEEKLY GARDENING AND TRASH PICKUP EVENTS AND HELD MANY LARGER EVENTS INCLUDING EVENTS ON EARTH DAY, CITY OF WATER DAY, AND MORE - TOTALING OVER 4,700 PARTICIPANTS.
  2. $273,653 spent. IN 2025, THE ECOLOGY PROGRAM HOSTED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOUR CONSERVATION CREW APPRENTICES, WHO RECEIVED HANDS-ON TRAINING IN URBAN FORESTRY AND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION SKILLS. THE CREW ALONG WITH VOLUNTEERS PLANTED MORE THAN 2,300 NATIVE TREES AND PLANTS, REMOVED CHOKING, INVASIVE VEGETATION, AND MAINTAINED NAVIGABILITY OF THE BRONX RIVER, INCLUDING THE REMOVAL OF 17 TONS OF GARBAGE AND DEBRIS.
  3. $196,091 spent. IN 2025, THE ALLIANCE'S EDUCATION PROGRAM CONTINUED THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT AND LEADERSHIP FOR STUDENTS (EELS) INTERNSHIP THAT ENGAGES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN COLLEGE-CREDIT BEARING STEM INTERNSHIPS FOCUSED ON THE BRONX RIVER. EELS CONDUCT HANDS-ON PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH PROJECTS WHILE BEING MENTORED BY EXPERTS IN VARIOUS STEM FIELDS. WE ALSO CONTINUED BOBCATS (BUILDING ON BETTER CAREERS AND TRAININGS), AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL PARTNER FANNIE LOU HAMER HIGH SCHOOL. IN 2025, WE ENABLED 200+ EDUCATORS & 1,200+ STUDENTS TO USE THE BRONX RIVER AS AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM.
  4. $563,922 spent. IN 2025, THE ALLIANCE WORKED TO KEEP THE RIVER CLEAN, REDUCE POLLUTION, RESTORE WILDLIFE HABITATS, CREATING AND ACTIVATING MANY WATERFRONT PARKS AND GREENWAY CONNECTIONS. WE LED OUTDOOR, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING TRIPS WITH CHILDREN, DRAWING THOUSANDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO LEARN AND EXPLORE BY WALKING, PADDLING, CYCLING, AND GARDENING. THE BRONX RIVER FOODWAY - NYC'S ONLY EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL FORAGING GARDEN IN A PUBLIC PARK - WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY A DEDICATED COORDINATOR AND RESIDENT ARTIST WHO SHARED NATURAL REMEDIES, FORAGING TECHNIQUES, AND THE MANY BENEFITS OF THE PLANTS GROWN.THE FOODWAY PROGRAM AND TEAM ACTIVATED COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ENGAGE AROUND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURAL PRACTICES, HEALTHY FOOD PRODUCTION AND PREPARATION, HERBAL REMEDIES, INTEGRATING NATURE INTO ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. THE FOODWAY TEAM, AN ALLIANCE ADVISORY BODY MADE UP OF LOCAL INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS, GUIDES COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN THE FOODWAY AND SETS PRIORITIES FOR FUTURE ACTIVITIES. IN 2025, THE ALLIANCE COORDINATED WITH PARTNERS TO IMPLEMENT THE BRONX RIVER INTERMUNICIPAL WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN, A 10 YEAR PLAN THAT GUIDES PRIORITY RESTORATION PROJECTS ALONG THE RIVER.THE ECOLOGY PROGRAM CONTINUED STAFF AND VOLUNTEER WATER QUALITY MONITORING EFFORTS TESTING FOR BACTERIA IN THE RIVER, FINDING THAT DESPITE DROUGHT CONDITIONS FOR MUCH OF THE YEAR BACTERIA WAS STILL HIGHER THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

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

  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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 July 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 November 4, 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.