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Passes our checks

Brooklyn Level Up Inc

EIN 85-1148315 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A community development corporation strengthening the relationships, sharing knowledge, and clearing obstacles, so that long-time residents of Flatbush, East Flatbush, and Flatlands can drive economic development and build community wealth.

Income
$553,576
Spending
$416,019
Spent on programs
50%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 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 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    50% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (9)
  1. $61,168 spent. Entrepreneurship Collective EC empowers BIPOC business owners through a culturally relevant, wellness-focused, and accountability-driven small business incubator. Offering workshops, MWBE certification, networking opportunities, community playlists, a curated book collection, peer-to-peer mentoring, structured cohorts, and practical toolkits, the EC provides entrepreneurs with the resources and support needed to thrive.
  2. $47,457 spent. The Flats Community Land Trust CLT is dedicated to preserving and building affordable housing, establishing vibrant commercial and communal spaces, and advocating alongside residents and businesses for equitable land use.
  3. $43,093 spent. BKLVLUP Cultivate is committed to environmental justice, empowering community membersespecially youthto engage with the green economy while addressing critical issues related to soil health, air quality, and extreme heat. Through its citizen scientist corps, the initiative trains residents to identify environmental challenges, map their impact, navigate government programs, and drive community-led solutions. Its flagship project includes a paid youth-led soil testing program, interactive data collection workshops, and community-driven mapping projects, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to advocate for a healthier, more resilient future.
  4. $33,714 spent. BKLVLUP acts as NYCCEC's TRIE partner for the East Flatbush community, facilitating The People's Money. The People's Money is New York City's annual citywide Participatory Budgeting PB initiative where community members decide how to spend part of the city's budget.
  5. $22,726 spent. Project Resilience: Started as part of BKLVLUP's COVID pandemic response, BKLVLUP continues a small grocery delivery service program for homebound seniors.
  6. $681 spent. Packer Collegiate provides students an all day interactive workshop with an introduction to what it is like to work in a nonprofit - promoting the next generation to join the community movement.
  7. $185 spent. FABGC: Brooklyn Level Up is a founding member of the Flatbush African Burial Ground Coalition that seeks to preserve the sacred final resting place of enslaved Africans in flatbush as well as amplify the voices and decision-making of the descendant community as it relates to the burial ground.
  8. $119 spent. Community Consulting has been done by our Executive Director to provide studies, guidance, and research for the community to city and state agencies.
  9. CB17 Rezoning: Part of BKLVLUP's community consulting work, BKLVLUP was contracted by CB17 to conduct community engagement work in the neighborhoods covered by CB17 in order to educate community residents on rezoning, gather community feedback on a rezoning survey, design and host community walking tours regarding zoning and create educational videos regarding same.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 October 2021.

    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.