COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation

Brooklyn, NY · EIN 116083182 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE L81Z · Housing & Shelter · Medium ($1M-$10M) · restorationplaza.org
revenue
$8.1M
expenses
$11.0M
net assets
$21.8M
employees
147
volunteers
7
program ratio
71%
mission · from form 990

See Organization's Mission on Schedule O.

profile · synthesized from sources

Community development corporation based in Brooklyn, NY, focused on revitalizing underserved neighborhoods through commercial development, arts and education programs, and energy conservation initiatives. Provides job creation, cultural programming, and weatherization services for low-income and elderly residents. Founded in 1967 as the first such organization in the United States.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $1.91M
    COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION - The organization is engaged in facilitating the expansion and enhancement of business in underserved communities to combat urban decay and to create jobs and business opportunities.
  2. #2 $1.36M
    Weatherization Assistance and Energy Conservation - Through this program the organization has been weatherizing resdential units of low income and elderly tenants to reduce fuel consumption and conserve energy for nearly thirty years. In addition to the reduction in energy consumption the program provides an economic benefit to community- based contractors and sellers of construction material.
named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Arts and Education
Offers dance and arts workshops for youth, exhibits local artists in the Skylight Gallery, and showcases cultural performances at the Billie Holiday Theatre.
Commercial Revitalization
Facilitates business expansion and enhancement in underserved communities to combat urban decay, create jobs, and generate business opportunities.
Weatherization Assistance and Energy Conservation
Provides weatherization services for residential units of low-income and elderly tenants to reduce energy consumption and lower utility costs.
activities · 12 groups

What they do

  • Affordable Housing Development and Management 1 activity
    • Affordable housing development and preservation
      Constructs, renovates, and preserves affordable housing units; has developed or preserved over 7,800 units throughout its history. Includes support for homeownership through counseling and down payment assistance, with 42 homes purchased since 2021.
  • Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 1 activity
    • Community investment facilitation
      Has facilitated $650 million in investment in Central Brooklyn through community development initiatives. Advocacy efforts have catalyzed over $750 million in total investments over fifty years.
  • Free Outdoor & Community Theater Productions 1 activity
    • Cultural programming and performances
      Operates the Billie Holiday Theatre, hosting a 36-week performance season that serves 30,000 people annually, and hosts the annual street festival Restoration Rocks! that attracts thousands. Presents art exhibitions at the Skylight Gallery featuring around 100 artists each year and drawing approximately 2,000 visitors.
  • Financial Coaching and Credit Counseling 1 activity
    • Financial counseling and education
      Offers free financial counseling, credit improvement support, debt reduction planning, and retirement and estate guidance through certified financial planners. Serves approximately 8,000 clients annually and has helped clients alleviate $6 million in debt and secure $11 million in tax refunds over three years.
  • Free Tax Preparation Services 1 activity
    • Free tax preparation services
      Provides free tax filing assistance through IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteers at multiple locations, serving tax years 2021–2024. Filed approximately 5,000 returns in 2024 alone, securing $3.3 million in refunds.
  • Women Entrepreneurs Grant Programs 1 activity
    • Grantmaking for entrepreneurs
      Funds small business growth by awarding grants between $5,000 and $25,000 to entrepreneurs through a live pitch competition.
  • Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
    • Job training and employment support
      Connects individuals to job training, networking, and employment opportunities to advance professional development.
  • Public Benefits Navigation and Enrollment 1 activity
    • Public benefits enrollment and social services
      Assists individuals in enrolling in public benefits and accessing social services; served 4,000 individuals and secured $15 million in benefits over a three-year period. Also provides mental health screenings and referrals for stress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
  • Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 1 activity
    • Small business accelerator and economic development
      Supports 400 small businesses through the Restoration Business Exchange and Accelerator (RBxA), representing nearly half the small business sector in Central Brooklyn.
  • Small Business Technical Assistance 1 activity
    • Small business support and financing assistance
      Supports small businesses through advisory services, pandemic relief application assistance (PPP, EIDL, etc.), loan forgiveness guidance, and operational reopening strategies. Clients supported increased revenues by $3.1 million, obtained $2.4 million in financing, and added or retained 176 employees.
  • Low-Income Home Energy Efficiency Upgrades 1 activity
    • Weatherization of residential units
      Provides weatherization services to reduce energy consumption for low-income and elderly residents; has weatherized over 10,000 apartments and homes since the program began.
  • Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
    • Youth Arts Academy programs
      Provides multidisciplinary arts instruction in dance, music, and drama for children aged 3–18 through the Youth Arts Academy, serving hundreds of students annually, many of whom earn scholarships or pursue careers in the arts.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$8.07M
Contributions & grants$6.77M84%
Program service revenue$1.44M18%
Investment income$785K10%
Other revenue$-920K
expenses
Total expenses$10.99M
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead29%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$7.00M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$60.39M
Cash$1.61M
Investments$0
Liabilities$38.63M
Net assets$21.76M
Liquid reserves1.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -3.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 7
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Blondel Pinnock President & CEO 35 $289K
Francila Carlson Exec. VP/CFAO 35 $272K
Takisia Whites Executive VP 35 $203K
Renee Jenkins Exec. VP 35 $184K
IAN STRAUGHTER Chief Prog Officer 35 $174K
Rachel Joseph Chief of Staff 35 $166K
SHADAWN SMITH RESTROATION ART 35 $140K
board members · 15
  • Binta Vann — Member
  • Cameron Arrington — Member
  • Depelsha Thomas McGruder — Member
  • Dr Wayne Riley — Member
  • Eric Eve — Member
  • Erika Irish Brown — Vice Chair
  • Joseph Lynch Esq — Member
  • Kevin G Chavers — Chairman
  • Lenue H Singletary III — Member
  • Lindsay Greene — Member
  • Marisha L Clinton CPA — Treasurer
  • Mr Ed Olebe — Member
  • Peter M Williams — Member
  • Shawn Austin — Member
  • Timothy L Simmons — Secretary
relationships · 28

Who they work with

  • BOC Network Partner — Partner organization providing business consultation, training, and funding assistance to clients transitioning from RBxA services.
  • Billie Holiday Theatre Partner — Collaborates with the Billie Holiday Theatre to deliver arts programming, including through the Youth Arts Academy.
  • Brooklyn Community Foundation Funder — Local foundation funder supporting community-based initiatives in Brooklyn
  • Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation Partner — Hosted the Higher Connections 2025 small business event organized by Restoration’s Business Exchange + Accelerator (RBXa).
  • City of New York Government — Partner in delivering free tax preparation services through the VITA/TCE program.
  • Edgar M. Stern Family Fund Funder — Provided initial funding support to Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.
  • Empire State Development Funder — Supporter of the Higher Connections 2025 small business event.
  • Enterprise Community Partners Partner — Organization partnering on affordable housing and community development projects
  • Food Bank for New York City Partner — Organizational partner providing food assistance resources
  • Ford Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting Restoration Corporation's community development work
  • Ford Foundation Funder — Provided initial funding support and later had its president, Franklin A. Thomas, serve as Restoration’s first president.
  • HRA Government — Administers Cash Assistance and One-Shot Deal emergency financial aid programs that Restoration helps clients access.
  • Hakeem Jeffries Partner — Collaborates with Restoration to offer free tax preparation services in the community.
  • J.M. Kaplan Fund Funder — Provided initial funding support to Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Government funder supporting Restoration Corporation's programs
  • New York City Department of Youth & Community Development Government — Government funder supporting youth and community development initiatives
  • New York City Empowerment Center Partner — Provider partner for over 10 years, delivering financial inclusion services in Central Brooklyn
  • New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal Government — Supports Restoration’s Weatherization Assistance Program.
  • New York State Homes and Community Renewal Government — State government funder supporting housing and community renewal efforts
  • Noel Pointer Foundation Partner — Co-located partner organization collaborating with Restoration's Youth Arts Academy to provide arts instruction.
  • Restoration Plaza Network — BSRC operates through Restoration Plaza as a central hub for community services.
  • Robin Hood Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting poverty-fighting programs in New York City
  • Rockefeller Brothers Foundation Funder — Provided initial funding support to Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.
  • Single Stop USA Partner — Partner organization connecting individuals to public benefits and support services
  • Small Business Services Government — NYC agency represented at the Higher Connections 2025 event; collaborates on small business support initiatives.
  • Taconic Foundation Funder — Provided initial funding support to Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.
  • The Billie Holiday Theater Partner — Collaborates on youth arts education programming, with joint programming accessible through thebillieholiday.org/education.
  • W.K. Kellogg Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting child and family well-being initiatives
strategies · 5

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 Empowerment Through Hope and Barrier Removal
    methodology: community-empowerment-through-dreaming
    By removing systemic barriers and restoring hope, the organization enables community members to envision and pursue new possibilities, fostering agency and long-term engagement in self-driven change.
  • Community-Based Arts as a Catalyst for Youth and Community Development
    methodology: arts-education-for-youth-development
    By engaging youth and artists through master instruction, residency programs, and accessible arts spaces, the organization fosters creative aspiration, cultivates local talent, and strengthens community vibrancy as a driver of holistic development.
  • Economic Revitalization via Business Support and Inclusive Development
    methodology: commercial_revitalization
    By supporting small business growth and forming strategic partnerships with developers and city officials, the organization generates employment, promotes wealth creation, and advances equitable real estate development, reversing urban decay through inclusive economic activity.
  • Holistic, Client-Centered Financial and Social Support
    methodology: client-centered_financial_coaching
    By providing personalized financial coaching, care coordination, and tailored social services, the organization removes individualized barriers to self-sufficiency, building clients' skills, confidence, and access to resources for long-term stability.
  • Wealth Building Through Housing Stability and Homeownership
    methodology: wealth_building_through_homeownership
    By combining eviction prevention, financial capability counseling, and structured pathways to homeownership, the organization promotes housing stability and intergenerational wealth accumulation among low-income residents.