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The Center for New York City

EIN 83-0506416 · New York, 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

OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP IN NEW YORK SO THAT MIDDLE- AND WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO BUILD STRONG, THRIVING COMMUNITIES.

Income
$46.0 million
Spending
$36.9 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
24.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 68%
Employees
128
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$260,333, 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 81% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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, 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 (3)
  1. $25.7 million spent. LENDING & CAPITAL: THE CENTER'S WHOLLY-OWNED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ("CDFI") SUBSIDIARY, SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBORHOODS, LLC ("SN LLC OR "AFFILIATE"), CONDUCTS DIRECT LENDING AND PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW OR MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES, DEMONSTRATING MODELS FOR MORTGAGE ORIGINATION AND SERVICING AT SCALE FOR HOMEOWNERS. BY OFFERING REASONABLY PRICED MORTGAGE LOANS, RESPONSIBLE SERVICING, AND EFFECTIVE MORTGAGE COUNSELING, AND/OR INTEGRATING OUTSIDE QUALIFIED NONPROFIT COUNSELING ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT ALL APPLICANTS, THE CENTER ENABLES ASSET-BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE WEALTH FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE NOT SERVED BY TRADITIONAL CAPITAL OR BANKING OUTLETS. THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024, SN LLC HAS PROVIDED $559.8 MILLION IN LOANS TO HOMEOWNERS AT RISK OF FORECLOSURE. THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDE THE OPERATIONS OF THE CENTER AND SN LLC.
  2. $4.8 million spent. HOMEOWNER SERVICES: THE CENTER DEVELOPS AND IMPLEMENTS PROGRAMS THAT MEET CRITICAL HOMEOWNER NEEDS, INCLUDING FORECLOSURE PREVENTION ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE, STORM RECOVERY ASSISTANCE, RESILIENCY COUNSELING, HELP WITH REPAIRS, ADVICE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND MORE. THE CENTER ALSO COORDINATES AND FUNDS A NETWORK OF NONPROFIT COMMUNITY-BASED HOUSING COUNSELING AND LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT ACT AS A SAFETY NET FOR FAMILIES ACROSS NY STATE. WHEN NEEDED, THE CENTER ALSO PROVIDES DIRECT COUNSELING TO HOMEOWNERS TO FILL SERVICE GAPS.
  3. $2.2 million spent. SYSTEMS CHANGE: THE CENTER EMPLOYS A CONTINUOUS CYCLE OF RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, PILOT PROGRAMS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO MAKE THE CASE FOR GOVERNMENTAL CHANGES, PROGRAMS AND INVESTMENTS THAT STABILIZE HOMEOWNERS AND EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP. THE CENTER'S RESEARCH IS DRIVEN BY DATA AND BY EXPERIENCE ON THE GROUND WITH HOMEOWNERS, AND ANALYZES PAST AND CURRENT TRENDS TO SHED LIGHT ON BAD PRACTICES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON BEST PRACTICES AND POLICIES. THESE EFFORTS ARE AIMED AT BOTH SUSTAINING THE CENTER AND ITS VISION, PROGRAMS AND INTERVENTIONS, AND AT BUILDING THE CAPACITY, STRENGTH AND ORGANIZATION OF THE FIELD.

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 September 2008.

    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.