irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $245KMicrohauling (environmental justice, waste transformation); compost processing (similar to microhauling, paying workforce) conducting program services thru prioritizing slow growth with deep roots versus rapid expansion that is not grounded. Designing and implementing a new kind of waste system, one that uses food waste as the foundation for a healthy urban ecosystem, that uplifts the people and places responsible for managing waste and that demonstrates the power of a regenerative green economy.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Compost Sales ("Black Gold")
Production and sale of high-quality compost made from locally collected organic waste, offered on a sliding scale to ensure community accessibility.
Event Composting Services
Composting and microhauling services for events in Brooklyn, including drop-off, pickup, and staffed sorting options to reduce waste and contamination.
Food Scrap Drop-Off Network
Community drop-off sites at partner gardens including Know Waste Lands, Good Life Garden, Aberdeen Community Garden, and Imani Garden for residents and small organizations.
Microhauling & Composting Service
Bike-powered collection and processing of food waste from residential, commercial, and event clients in Brooklyn, transforming it into compost at local sites.
Youth Leaders Program
Summer employment and leadership program for BIPOC high school students from Bushwick and surrounding neighborhoods, focused on composting, environmental justice, and community organizing.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Community Composting & Organic Waste Diversion 4 activities
- Bike-powered food waste collection and compostingOperates a bike-powered microhauling and compost processing program in Brooklyn, NY, collecting organic waste from residential, commercial, and event-based sources using bicycles operated by youth workers. Diverts over 250,000 pounds of food waste annually from landfills and processes it by hand into nutrient-rich compost used for soil remediation and community distribution.
- Community volunteer and group engagement eventsHosts volunteer opportunities for corporate groups, school field trips, and community organizations to participate in composting activities, fostering community engagement and public education around waste reduction and urban ecology.
- Composting education, workshops, and consultation servicesProvides composting workshops, educational visits, staffed sorting support at events, and consultation services for businesses and community groups on composting systems and organic waste management, supporting broader community engagement and local sustainability initiatives.
- Sale and distribution of compostProduces approximately 100,000 pounds of high-quality compost annually and sells it at wholesale prices with free delivery for subscribers, supporting a regenerative urban ecosystem and generating income for youth workers.
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Youth Workforce Development in Food & Environment 1 activity
- Youth employment and leadership development programRuns a summer youth employment program for NYC high school students focused on composting, environmental justice, and leadership, paying participants $17–$20 per hour and expanding team capacity to 14 youth workers. Generates $210,000 in annual income for young people through year-round operations.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$319K
Contributions & grants$233K73%
Program service revenue$86K27%
Investment income$140%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$479K
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising16%
Salaries & benefits$377K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$400K
Cash$193K
Investments$0
Liabilities$94K
Net assets$306K
Liquid reserves4.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -47.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORA TJOSSEM | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $83K |
| DIOR ST HILLAIRE | STRATEGIC DIRECTOR | 35 | $58K |
board members · 8
- BRENDA SALAS NEVES — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIEL CHU — BOARD SECRETARY
- IDAN SASSON — BOARD MEMBER
- JIBREEL COOPER — BOARD MEMBER
- LEALA ROSEN — BOARD TREASURER
- PRIYA MULGAONKAR — Board Member
- SYLVIA MORSE — BOARD MEMBER
- YASMINE BATIZ — BOARD CHAIR
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- Aberdeen Comm. Garden Partner — Hosts a food scrap drop-off location for BK ROT
- Aberdeen Garden Partner — Partner garden where BK ROT processes compost since 2020.
- Community garden in central Brooklyn Partner — Partner site where youth engage in compost system maintenance and community outreach.
- Crest Hardware Partner — Sells BK ROT compost at retail.
- Good Life Garden Partner — Hosts a food scrap drop-off location for BK ROT
- Good Life Garden Partner — Partner garden where BK ROT processes compost since 2020.
- Green Acres Garden Partner — Partner garden where BK ROT processes compost since 2020.
- Imani Garden Partner — Hosts a food scrap drop-off location for BK ROT
- Imani Garden Partner — Partner garden where BK ROT expanded composting operations in 2024.
- Instagram Partner — Follows BK ROT's social media presence
- Know Waste Lands Partner — Hosts a food scrap drop-off location for BK ROT
- Know Waste Lands Community Garden Partner — Hosts food scrap drop-off services at this community garden location.
- Park Slope Food Coop Partner — Sells BK ROT compost at retail.
- Stems Brooklyn Partner — Sells BK ROT compost at retail.
- small businesses Partner — Partners with small businesses such as office spaces, co-op groceries, cafes, plant shops, and roasters to collect organic waste.
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.
- Bicycle-Powered Microhauling for Low-Emission Waste Collectionmethodology: bicycle_microhaulingBy using bicycles instead of motor vehicles to collect organic waste, BK ROT reduces carbon emissions, traffic congestion, and health disparities associated with traditional fossil fuel-based hauling, while maintaining localized, community-scaled operations.
- Community-Based Circular Economy Modelmethodology: local_circular_economyBy keeping financial resources, labor, and material flows (organic waste → compost) within Brooklyn, BK ROT strengthens local economic resilience and ecological sustainability, ensuring that both benefits and decision-making remain community-controlled.
- Regenerative Systems Through Closed-Loop Compostingmethodology: closed-loop_compostingBy transforming food waste into compost via a community-centered, fossil fuel-free process, BK ROT closes nutrient loops to regenerate urban soil health and build a regenerative green economy rooted in environmental justice.
- Sliding Scale Pricing for Equitable Access and Fair Labormethodology: sliding_scale_pricingBy implementing a no-questions-asked sliding scale pricing model, BK ROT ensures accessibility for low-income clients while upholding fair wages for workers, thereby integrating economic justice into service delivery.
- Youth Workforce Development as Environmental Justice Praxismethodology: workforce-development-youthBy employing and training BIPOC youth from environmentally burdened neighborhoods in composting and microhauling, BK ROT advances environmental justice through dignified employment, professional development, and leadership opportunities that center equity and community healing.