named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Ave B Open Street
Volunteer-run program that activates public space on Avenue B through open-street events focused on community interaction and recreation.
Community Engagement
Facilitates resident involvement via surveys, email outreach, block associations, and events to ensure community voices are heard by policymakers and stakeholders.
Food Insecurity Initiative
Coordinates mutual aid efforts including community fridges, food rescue, and monthly stakeholder gatherings to reduce food waste and support those facing food insecurity in the East Village.
Neighborhood Preservation
Advocates for historic district designations, landmark protections, and responsible zoning to preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of the East Village.
Retail Diversity
Supports independent local businesses through advocacy, public awareness, and an interactive directory to maintain the economic and cultural vitality of the neighborhood.
Sustainability
Promotes composting, recycling, open streets, and green transportation to protect the environment and enhance neighborhood quality of life.
Tompkins Distro
Weekly food distribution effort in Tompkins Square Park providing meals to community members in need, in collaboration with groups like Food Not Bombs LES.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Historic Site Designation Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocate for community and historic preservationConducts outreach, research, and advocacy to protect the cultural and historical character of the East Village, support local businesses, and promote sustainability. Engages in community and historic preservation activities as part of its mission.
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Urban Policy and Equity Research 1 activity
- Conduct research on urban development and sustainabilityConducts research on urban development, environmental sustainability, and historical preservation in the East Village to inform community initiatives and advocacy efforts.
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Distribute free meals and food aid in the East VillageDistributes thousands of free meals weekly to East Village residents, primarily centered at Tompkins Square Park, and participates in food and aid distribution in collaboration with Tompkins Distro and Food Not Bombs LES. Also stewarded community fridges and pantries and coordinated volunteer-led food rescue operations during the pandemic.
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Food System Convening & Public Engagement 1 activity
- Facilitate food justice collaboration and volunteer coordinationFacilitates monthly gatherings that bring together local stakeholders working toward food justice to foster collaboration, share resources, and connect volunteers.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Host monthly community giveaways of essential goodsHosts a monthly giveaway offering free clothes, shoes, food, and housewares to support local residents and promote community resilience.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Operate and manage community beautification and open-street programsOrganizes park cleanups, gardening days, and beautification projects in Tompkins Square Park and operates the Ave B Open Street program, including setup, activities, and community engagement on designated open-street days.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organize community events and cultural programmingHosts free public film screenings, seasonal opening events featuring tarot readings and performances, festivals, educational workshops, and other cultural events in Tompkins Square Park and the broader East Village to promote community engagement and celebrate local culture.
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Neighborhood Civic Engagement 1 activity
- Promote civic engagement and local economic sustainabilityProvides a community participation checklist, curates a directory of local businesses (the "Get Local! Guide"), and encourages attendance at Community Board 3 meetings and subscription to mailing lists to support civic, cultural, environmental, and economic engagement in the East Village.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$190K
Contributions & grants$189K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$6870%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$211K
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$88K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$361K
Cash$103K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$361K
Liquid reserves5.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -22.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA SEWELL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $81K |
board members · 6
- AARON SOSNICK — BOARD MEMBER
- ANDREW COAMEY — TREASURER
- ELIZABETH OYEN — SECRETARY
- JOSHUA GALE — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL ROSEN — BOARD MEMBER
- OLIVER FIELDING — PRESIDENT
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Allied Storefront Partner — Collaborated on hosting a seasonal opening event.
- Assembly Member Harvey Epstein Partner — Co-host and partner in the Little Miss Sunshine screening event.
- Community Board 3 Partner — Collaborates by directing residents to its meetings and mailing list for civic engagement in the East Village.
- Cooper Square Committee Partner — Provides contact information for Cooper Square Committee to assist residents facing eviction or rent issues.
- Food Not Bombs LES Partner — Collaborates with EVCC in food and aid distribution at Tompkins Square Park.
- Friends of Tompkins Square Park Partner — Collaborates with EVCC on park cleanups, gardening, and beautification projects.
- GOLES (Good Old Lower East Side) Partner — Provides contact information for GOLES to assist residents with housing and eviction issues.
- House of Good Deeds Partner — Collaborates with House of Good Deeds to host monthly giveaway events.
- LES Film Festival Partner — Collaborating organization for summer film screenings in the East Village.
- Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens Partner — Collaborates on the Harvest Arts Festival held in East Village community gardens.
- Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens Partner — Directs residents to Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens for community garden maps and events.
- Lower East Side Ecology Center Partner — Partners to promote composting and recycling events in the East Village, including at Tompkins Square Park.
- NYC Small Business Services Partner — Shares information from NYC Small Business Services to support small businesses in the East Village.
- Residents, businesses, and stakeholders of the East Village Partner — Collaborates with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape neighborhood development and address community issues.
- SBA Government — References SBA funding options for small businesses as part of its small business support resources.
- Searchlight Pictures Partner — Partner in hosting the Little Miss Sunshine screening at the LES Film Festival.
- Tarot of On Partner — Provided tarot readings at the seasonal opening event.
- The School of Hard Knocks Partner — Provided improvisational performance at the seasonal opening event.
- Tompkins Distro Partner — Partners with EVCC to distribute food and aid in Tompkins Square Park.
- faith-based organizations Partner — Faith-based organizations host pantries and soup kitchens connected through EVCC-facilitated gatherings.
strategies · 4
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.
- Community-Driven Cultural Activationmethodology: community_engagement_through_public_artsBy integrating public arts and cultural programming into public spaces, we foster neighborhood connection and sustained engagement, because shared cultural experiences build social cohesion and collective ownership of community life.
- Community-Led Preservation and Developmentmethodology: community_driven_preservationBy centering community engagement and collective action in preservation efforts, we improve quality of life and maintain neighborhood character, because locally grounded stewardship ensures culturally relevant and sustainable development.
- Integrated Community Participation Modelmethodology: integrated_community_engagementBy guiding residents through a multi-faceted checklist that integrates civic, cultural, environmental, and economic actions, we promote holistic neighborhood engagement, because structured pathways increase individual agency and compound community impact across domains.
- Low-Barrier Community Engagementmethodology: low_barrier_engagementBy removing structural and social barriers to participation, we increase accessibility and broaden community involvement, because flexible engagement models meet people where they are and foster inclusive participation.