irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $548KCIVIC ENGAGEMENT WORKS TO EDUCATE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING HELPING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO VOTE, ENCOURAGING VOTERS TO GET OUT THE VOTE, HOLDING CANDIDATE FORUMS TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY THE ABILITY TO ASK QUESTIONS TO CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE, AND ADVOCATING FOR REGULATIONS THAT MAKE IT EASIER FOR IMMIGRANTS TO VOTE.
- #2 $483KECONOMIC JUSTICEAIMS TO PROVIDE ITS CLIENTS WITH THE TOOLS AND INFORMATION THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE THROUGH CAREER DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL CAPABILITY, AND ASSET BUILDING. THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGH FINANCIAL COUNSELING, EDUCATION, FREE TAX PREP SUPPORT, LENDING CIRCLE, AND OTHER RELATED PROGRAMS.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Civic Engagement
Conducts voter education, candidate forums, and advocacy campaigns to increase political participation and empower community members to influence policy.
Economic Justice
Offers financial counseling, free tax preparation, and Peer Lending Circles to help community members build credit, achieve economic independence, and access asset-building opportunities.
First Time Homebuyer Workshops
Provides education and counseling for first-time homebuyers on the home purchasing process, financing, and long-term homeownership sustainability.
Housing Justice
Provides HUD-certified pre-purchase and post-purchase homeownership counseling, tenant advocacy, and supports tenant unions to preserve affordable housing and improve living conditions.
Immigration
Connects immigrants with legal services and attorneys to navigate the immigration process and supports integration through direct service and advocacy.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Housing Policy Advocacy & Tenant Organizing 2 activities
- Policy advocacy for housing affordability and equitable taxationAdvocates for fair tax policies and increased public investment to address the housing affordability crisis in New York City. Opposes cuts to essential services for vulnerable communities and supports revenue generation through taxation of wealthy New Yorkers to fund affordable housing and stability programs.
- Tenant advocacy and organizingConducts tenant organizing and advocacy to improve housing conditions, prevent displacement, and expand tenant protections for immigrant and low-income communities in Queens. Formed New York City's first Bangladeshi Tenant Union and organized actions with elected officials to address code violations, while contributing to the passage of new tenant protection laws through community mobilization.
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Civic Engagement and Voter Mobilization 1 activity
- Civic engagement and voter educationConducts civic engagement initiatives including voter education, voter mobilization, candidate forums, and advocacy for expanded immigrant voting access. Encourages early and off-peak voting to reduce congestion and administrative strain during elections.
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Interest-Free Loan and Grant Support 1 activity
- Community economic development and lending circlesOperates Peer Lending Circles as part of its Asset Building Program, enabling participants to build credit by contributing monthly and rotating no-interest loans among members. Also provides financial counseling and education to promote long-term economic independence.
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 1 activity
- Community space activationLeads the activation of Lt. Frank McConnell Park in South Richmond Hill, Queens to improve accessibility and community benefit, ongoing since summer 2023.
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Free Tax Preparation Services 1 activity
- Free tax preparation and financial empowerment servicesOffers free tax preparation services to low- and moderate-income individuals and families earning below income thresholds, preparing federal and state returns and securing Earned Income Tax Credits and other financial benefits. In 2019 and 2020, completed over 1,650 tax returns and secured more than $840,000 in total client benefits. Operates a seasonal site in Richmond Hill with evening and weekend hours.
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First-Time Homebuyer Support Services 1 activity
- Housing counseling and foreclosure preventionProvides direct counseling services to homeowners in Queens on foreclosure prevention, loan modifications, deed theft intervention, and access to state, city, and foundation assistance programs. Also offers education and support for first-time homebuyers, including down payment and closing cost assistance.
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Immigration Legal Services 1 activity
- Immigration legal assistanceProvides free legal representation and confidential counseling for immigration matters including citizenship applications, Green Card renewals, DACA, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) through experienced attorneys or accredited representatives.
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Tenant Legal Advocacy & Support Services 1 activity
- Public education on tenant rightsEducates immigrant tenants on their legal housing rights and responsibilities to prevent illegal evictions, harassment, and discrimination.
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Urban Policy and Equity Research 1 activity
- Research and policy reporting on housing and economic equityProduces research reports and assessments on housing and economic challenges facing immigrant and working-class communities in Queens, including studies on pandemic-era homeownership disruption, investor-driven displacement, predatory equity practices, and commercial district needs. Key publications include "Dream Disrupted," "Investor Invasion," "The Predatory Equity Story," and the Jackson Heights CDNA.
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Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 1 activity
- Small business and legal supportProvides programmatic and legal support to small business owners, including connecting them with legal representation to appeal fines and navigate regulatory challenges.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$6.15M
Contributions & grants$5.36M87%
Program service revenue$722K12%
Investment income$65K1%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$3.31M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$2.28M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$6.93M
Cash$844K
Investments$2.05M
Liabilities$491K
Net assets$6.44M
Liquid reserves10.5 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +72.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANNETTA SEECHARRAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $274K |
| THERESA THANJAN | DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION | 40 | $137K |
| SADIA RAHMAN | DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF POLICY | 40 | $135K |
| KAREN KAMINSKY | DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR | 40 | $67K |
board members · 9
- ALLISON BALL — TREASURER
- ANOUSKA CHEDDIE — CO-CHAIR
- CHRISTOPHER HANWAY — SECRETARY
- GURJOT KAUR — DIRECTOR
- JEREMY BENJAMIN — DIRECTOR
- MUHAMMED HUSSAIN — DIRECTOR
- NAHIDA UDDIN — DIRECTOR
- RESHMA PATEL — CO-CHAIR
- RYAN D BUDHU — DIRECTOR
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Affordable Housing Coalition Coalition — Member organization advocating for fair tax policies to address NYC affordability crisis.
- Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development Partner — Supporting the McConnell Park activation through the Local Center initiative.
- Bangladeshi Tenant Union Partner — Collaborated to organize tenant actions and advocate for housing code enforcement.
- City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Partner — Chhaya supports and advocates for the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal to legalize accessory dwelling units in New York City.
- East New York Coalition for Community Advancement Partner — Coalition partner advocating jointly for fair tax policies to address NYC affordability crisis.
- East New York Community Land Trust Partner — Coalition partner collaborating on advocacy for tax reforms to support housing stability and community land trusts.
- Here & Now Partner — Partnered with the media program to share insights on voter behavior in immigrant communities.
- Hive Public Space Partner — Collaborating with Chhaya CDC on the activation of Lt. Frank McConnell Park.
- Lienhard & Grumbach PLLC Partner — Coalition partner working with Chhaya CDC to advocate for progressive tax policies in New York City.
- NYC Civic Engagement Commission Partner — Collaborates to provide language interpretation services at poll sites for Bengali and Urdu speakers during early voting and Election Day.
- NYC Small Business Services Partner — Collaborated with Chhaya CDC to produce the Jackson Heights Commercial District Needs Assessment.
- New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Partner — Refers community members to NYC government tax preparation resources for Jackson Heights.
- Pratt Center for Community Development Partner — Coalition partner collaborating with Chhaya CDC on policy advocacy to address housing affordability through tax reform.
- Small Business Administration Government — Provides guidance to small businesses on SBA loans and related issues.
- Stabilizing NYC Coalition — Chhaya CDC is a member of the Stabilizing NYC coalition working to combat predatory equity in housing.
- StudioFōr Partner — Collaborating with Chhaya CDC on the activation of Lt. Frank McConnell Park.
- TakeRoot Justice Partner — Connected small business owners to attorneys for legal support in appealing city fines.
- United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Government — HUD-certified counseling agency providing homeownership counseling services.
- Urban Design Forum Partner — Supporting the McConnell Park activation through the Local Center initiative.
- WBUR Partner — Collaborated on a media interview discussing political engagement in immigrant communities.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culturally Competent Financial and Homeownership Counselingmethodology: culturally_competent_financial_counselingBy delivering financial and homeownership counseling through culturally competent methods tailored to South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, CHHAYA improves financial health and housing outcomes because trust and relevance increase engagement and effectiveness.
- Integrated Support Services with Self-Determination Focusmethodology: integrated_support_servicesBy combining direct services with capacity-building tools, CHHAYA promotes individual resilience and long-term self-determination because empowerment through resources and skills leads to sustained personal agency.
- Systemic Change via Community Organizing and Policy Advocacymethodology: systemic_change_through_organizingBy engaging in community organizing, public discourse, and policy advocacy—including zoning reform and ADU legalization—CHHAYA advances housing stability and economic mobility because structural change addresses root causes of displacement and inequality in immigrant communities.