Neighbors for Environmental Justice Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Neighbors for Environmental Justice is to foster awareness, organize and promote community action on environmental justice to achieve environmental health and just transition by preventing and reducing pollution and building a green, healthy and sustainable community and environment.
- Income
- $693,872
- Spending
- $362,359
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 24.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $99,298, executive dir.
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 24.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 72% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $244,758 spent. In 2024, Neighbors for Environmental Justice (N4EJ) made significant strides in promoting environmental justice across Chicago, particularly on the southwest side. Key accomplishments included the opening of N4EJs first office in McKinley Park, the launch of the Southwest Air Quality Index (SWAQI), and the release of the Paid to Pollute investigative report, highlighting how the City of Chicago fails to enforce environmental standards for contractors. The organization also held its first fundraiser, the Setting Roots Celebration, and hosted a series of Environmental Justice (EJ) Walking Tours and community events like the Neighbors in Nature series, engaging over 350 residents. N4EJ expanded its air quality monitoring network by purchasing 8 new PurpleAir sensors and partnered with local schools to integrate environmental justice topics into STEM education. N4EJ also worked to raise awareness and advocate for policy change through collaborations like the Chicago Coalition to End Sacrifice Zones and its partnership with the Metropolitan Planning Council to address zoning and pollution issues in McKinley Park. Additionally, N4EJs leadership in the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) contributed to shaping future environmental and zoning decisions in vulnerable neighborhoods. The organization celebrated its 5th anniversary, reflecting on its growth and community support, while also laying the groundwork for future initiatives to expand air quality monitoring, strengthen environmental justice curricula in schools, and continue advocating for cleaner air and stronger enforcement of environmental laws.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.