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Council of Peoples Organization

EIN 75-3046891 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

ORGANIZATIONS MOST SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY IS TO ASSIST LOW INCOME IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY SOUTH ASIANS AND MUSLIMS, TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS RESIDENTS OF NYC.COPO EMPOWERS MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR RIGHTS & UNDERSTANDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$6.2 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 62%
Employees
90
Volunteers
602
Highest pay
$186,400, 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $3.1 million spent. SENIOR CENTER- COPOS SENIOR CENTER PROVIDES BREAKFAST AND LUNCH, ESL AND CITIZENSHIP CLASSES, NURSE AND SOCIAL WORKER HOME VISITS, AND MUCH MORE TO KEEP OUR SENIORS HEALTHY AND ENGAGED.DELIVERED HALAL MEALS TO 215 HOMEBOUND SENIORS WEEKLY, PROVIDING THEM WITH ALL OF THEIR DAILY MEALS.ASSISTED 362 SENIORS WITH CASE MANAGEMENT (HOUSING ASSISTANCE, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, MEDICAID/MEDICARE, SNAP, ETC.) AND DISTRIBUTED 16425 LUNCHES
  2. $1.3 million spent. COMMUNITY EDUCATION- WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY, COPO OFFERS FREE MONTHLY LEGAL CLINICS. THESE CLINICS OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH ATTORNEYS ON IMMIGRATION, HOUSING, AND OTHER ISSUES. THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, COPO IS ABLE TO PROVIDE INTAKE, ADVICE, AND/OR REPRESENTATION TO OVER 400 INDIVIDUALS. BENEFITS SCREENING &ENROLLMENT:-COPOS PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATION, OUTREACH, SCREENING, AND ENROLLMENT FOR SNAP, MEDICAID, FAMILY HEALTH PLUS, CHILD HEALTH PLUS, THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, AND OTHER BENEFITS. WE PROVIDE THESE SERVICES TO OVER 6,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY. IN ADDITION, COPO PROVIDES EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND REFERRAL FOR FREE HEALTH INSURANCE TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAYORS OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS
  3. $622,892 spent. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT:- COPOS YOUTH PROGRAM BUILDS INTERGROUP SOLIDARITY AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS THROUGH VOLUNTEERING/COMMUNITY SERVICE, SPORTS, EDUCATION, AND CULTURAL EVENTS. EACH YEAR, COPO PROVIDES HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TO OVER 200 ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AT OUR SITES IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS. MOREOVER, WE CONDUCT OUR ANNUAL COPO YOUTH CAREER DAY, WHICH IS ATTENDED BY OVER 900 YOUNG PEOPLE, AND PARTICIPATED IN BY 26 FEDERAL, STATE, AND CITY AGENCIES; AS WELL AS OVER 30 COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
  4. $397,945 spent. HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMTHE HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM ENGAGES WITH SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY MEMBERS, STUDIES PARTICIPANTS, AND CLIENTS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS RELATED TO COVID-19 VACCINATION AND OTHER HEALTH TOPICS.
  5. $181,242 spent. FOOD PANTRY - COPO OPERATES A CLIENT CHOICE FOOD PANTRY THAT DISTRIBUTES OVER 360,000 POUNDS OF FOOD PER YEAR TOLOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WHO COME TO US FROM THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY. AS ONE OF ONLY THREE FOOD PANTRIES CITYWIDE THAT GUARANTEES COMPLIANCE WITH ISLAMIC DIETARY GUIDELINES, OUR PROGRAM FILLS A DISTINCT NEED AND SERVES FAMILIES FROM ACROSS BROOKLYN AND AS FAR AWAY AS STATEN ISLAND, QUEENS, AND MANHATTAN.NEW YORK CITY. THROUGH PROVIDING FOOD SUPPLIES TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES AT NO COST, OUR PROGRAM IS A COMMUNITY LEADER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY. COPO DISTRIBUTED OVER 11,300 TONS OF FOOD, INCLUDING FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, AT OUR WEEKLY FOOD PANTRY TO MORE THAN 500,000 PEOPLE.COPO DISTRIBUTE FOOD EVERY FRIDAY FROM OUR CONEY ISLAND AVENUE SITE AND OFFER HALAL MEALS-ON-WHEELS TO HOMEBOUND SENIORS.

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 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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 September 2004.

    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 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.