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OPERATION NORTHERN COMFORT INC
CICERO, NY · EIN 464485637 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · NTEE L99 · Housing & Shelter · Micro (<$100K) · operationnc.org
revenue
$71K
expenses
$74K
net assets
$109K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

PROVIDES LABOR AND RESOURCES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR OF HOMES TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF PEOPLE IN NEED.

profile · synthesized from sources

Volunteer-driven organization providing home modifications and construction services to improve living conditions for people in need. Focuses on accessibility projects like ramps, lifts, and bathroom modifications for low-income and disabled individuals in Central New York. Originated as a response to Hurricane Katrina before shifting focus to local community needs.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Bookshelves4Kids
Provides bookshelves and desks to children in partnership with schools and organizations like PGR Foundation to support literacy and education
Disaster Relief Construction
Rehabilitates, rebuilds, and repairs homes in disaster-affected areas, originally formed to assist after Hurricane Katrina
Home Modifications
Performs interior modifications including bathroom door widening, stair and railing installation, and other accessibility improvements
Lift Installation
Installs chair lifts and other mobility lifts in homes to help individuals with limited mobility navigate their homes safely
Ramp Construction
Builds wheelchair ramps to improve accessibility for disabled individuals in homes across Central New York, completing 21 ramp projects in 2024
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Home Accessibility Modifications 1 activity
    • Constructing accessibility modifications
      Constructs wheelchair ramps, lifts, railings, stairs, and other interior and exterior modifications to improve home accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges. Completed 21 wheelchair ramp installations in 2024 and multiple lift and railing installations.
  • Children's Book Distribution Programs 1 activity
    • Delivering bookshelves and literacy support to children
      Operates the Bookshelves4Kids program, which provides bookshelves and books to children in need, including delivering bookshelves to literacy events at community locations such as the Mundy Branch library.
  • Volunteer Mobilization for Community Improvement 1 activity
    • Engaging volunteers in skilled trades and service delivery
      Engages volunteers in construction and rebuilding activities including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, and cooking, as well as in fundraising efforts.
  • Community Foundation & United Way Support 1 activity
    • Funding partner organizations and specific community needs
      Funds partner organizations to further their goals and fulfill community needs, including annual donations to grassroots organizations in Central New York and targeted support such as funding for the Drahos Scholarship Fund and the purchase of a hydraulic lift van for a disabled low-income family member.
  • Disaster Relief and Recovery Services 1 activity
    • Providing logistical and operational support for disaster recovery
      Provides logistical and operational support to sustain disaster recovery efforts, enabling individuals and volunteers to carry out rebuilding work in affected communities.
  • Volunteer and Professional Training Programs 1 activity
    • Providing volunteer training through video tutorials
      Produces and provides video tutorials to train volunteers in construction-related tasks, supporting capacity building for volunteer engagement.
  • Disaster-Resilient Home Reconstruction 1 activity
    • Rebuilding and repairing homes and community structures
      Rebuilds and repairs homes, churches, and community spaces, including completing home rebuilding projects for residents affected by disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and fires, and repairing or constructing structures like preschool classrooms and stairs. The organization has built four homes and repaired over 200 additional homes.
  • Community Service and Charitable Outreach 1 activity
    • Supporting community projects through partnerships
      Partners with organizations such as Interfaith Works on community projects and supports initiatives like the installation and maintenance of Blessing Boxes for community use.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$71K
Contributions & grants$33K47%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$3K4%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$74K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out$17K
balance sheet
Total assets$109K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$109K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -6.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

board members · 9
  • DAVE ROBINSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • GWEN SANDERS — BOARD MEMBER
  • IDA LEIGH DAVIS — BOARD MEMBER
  • JAN MILESKEY — BOARD MEMBER
  • JUNE MASTROGIOVANNI — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARGIT BACKUS — BOARD MEMBER
  • MIKE FLANAGAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • PHIL BACKUS — BOARD MEMBER
  • RICK PELOTTE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 26

Who they work with

  • All Souls Episcopal Church & Community Center Partner — Collaborated with Operation Southern Comfort on rebuilding homes, churches, and community spaces in Louisiana.
  • Arise of Central New York Partner — Partner organization collaborating with Operation Northern Comfort to serve those in need.
  • Eastern Farm Workers Association Partner — Partner organization collaborating with Operation Northern Comfort to serve those in need.
  • Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana Partner — Partnered with Operation Southern Comfort in post-Katrina recovery efforts.
  • FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL NEW YORK Partner — Recipient of grant funding to further organizational goals
  • FRANCIS HOUSE Partner — Recipient of grant funding to further organizational goals
  • Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook as a platform to engage volunteers and share information.
  • First Christian Assembly – Syracuse Partner — Collaborates with First Christian Assembly in Syracuse on projects.
  • IN MY FATHER'S KITCHEN Partner — Recipient of grant funding to further organizational goals
  • INTERFAITH WORKS Partner — Recipient of grant funding to further organizational goals
  • Interfaith Works Partner — Partner organization collaborating with Operation Northern Comfort on community assistance projects.
  • Jamesville-DeWitt High School Partner — Organized student volunteers to participate in home rebuilding projects in Gulfport, Mississippi.
  • KATHY LAWLER Partner — Recipient of grant funding to purchase a hydraulic lift van for a disabled low-income family member
  • Liverpool High School Partner — Engaged students in volunteer disaster recovery work through Operation Southern Comfort.
  • MORRISVILLE-EATON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Partner — Recipient of grant funding for the Drahos Scholarship Fund
  • Manlius Pebble Hill High School Partner — Participated in Operation Southern Comfort’s rebuilding efforts with student volunteers.
  • Marcellus High School Partner — Provided student volunteers who contributed labor and wrote reflections on their experiences with Operation Southern Comfort.
  • North Area Meals on Wheels Partner — Partner organization collaborating with Operation Northern Comfort to serve those in need.
  • PGR FOUNDATION Partner — Recipient of grant funding to further organizational goals
  • PGR Foundation Partner — Partnered with ONC on the Bookshelves4Kids initiative.
  • ST JOHN THE BAPTIST UKRANIAN CHURCH Partner — Recipient of grant funding to further organizational goals
  • Some of these organizations and businesses Partner — Support Operation Northern Comfort through sponsorship, volunteers, and other contributions; Operation Northern Comfort also invests in and supports their missions.
  • TILLIE'S TOUCH Partner — Recipient of grant funding to further organizational goals
  • Tillies Touch Partner — Provided storage units to support the Tillies Touch summer program.
  • Tiny Homes for Good Partner — Partner organization collaborating with Operation Northern Comfort to serve those in need.
  • Town of Cicero Partner — Collaborated with ONC on home repair projects.
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.

  • Collaborative Community Partnerships for Scalable Impact
    methodology: collaborative_partnership
    By partnering with faith-based and community organizations, we extend our reach and effectiveness in addressing local needs, because shared resources and coordinated efforts produce greater community impact than isolated action.
  • Faith-Based, Non-Proselytizing Service Model
    methodology: faith-based_equitable_service
    By delivering disaster recovery and home repair services grounded in faith-based values without religious imposition, we ensure equitable access and build trust across diverse communities, because service motivated by compassion—not conversion—enables broader, more inclusive impact.
  • Home Repair and Accessibility Modifications as Community Safety and Inclusion
    methodology: housing_repair_and_construction
    By conducting hands-on home repairs and custom accessibility modifications—such as wheelchair ramps and stair railings—we improve safety, independence, and community access for vulnerable individuals, because physical barriers directly limit dignity and participation.