irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $216KIN 2024, ALLIANCE'S EDUCATION PROGRAM CONTINUED THE YEAR ROUND ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT AND LEADERSHIP FOR STUDENTS (EELS) PAID INTERNSHIP THAT ENGAGES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN COLLEGE-CREDIT BEARING STEM INTERNSHIPS FOCUSED ON THE BRONX RIVER. EELS CONDUCT HANDS-ON PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH PROJECTS WHILE BEING MENTORED BY EXPERTS IN VARIOUS STEM FIELDS. WE ALSO CONTINUED BOBCATS (BUILDING ON BETTER CAREERS AND TRAININGS), A SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL PARTNER FANNIE LOU HAMER HIGH SCHOOL. WE CONTINUE TO OFFER LOW-COST FIELD TRIPS FOR SCHOOLS AND GROUPS.
- #2 $190KIN 2024, THE ALLIANCE HOSTED FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS FEATURING EDUCATIONAL, STEWARDSHIP, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH NATURE. OVER 1,100 PEOPLE PADDLED ON NYC'S ONLY FRESHWATER RIVER AS PART OF OUR FREE, LOW-COST, AND CHARTERED PADDLES. FROM OVER 1500 PEOPLE VOLUNTEERED WITH US INCLUDING: APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER, WE HOSTED WEEKLY GARDENING AND TRASH PICKUP EVENTS. OVERALL IMPACT, INCLUDING MANY LARGER EVENTS SUCH AS EARTH DAY, CITY OF WATER DAY, SOUNDVIEW RESTORATION DAY, AND MORE - TOTALED OVER 5,000 PARTICIPANTS. OUR COMMUNITY-BASED ADVOCACY TEAMS CONTINUED TO ENGAGE AND COORDINATE WITH GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO ADVANCE GOALS IN SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
BOBCATS (Building on Better Careers and Trainings)
Summer internship program in partnership with Fannie Lou Hamer High School providing career development and environmental education opportunities for local youth
Community Stewardship & Recreation Events
Hosts free paddling events, gardening days, trash cleanups, and educational outings to engage the public in river restoration and outdoor recreation
Environmental Enrichment and Leadership for Students (EELS)
Paid internship program for high school students offering college-credit-bearing STEM internships focused on the Bronx River, including hands-on research and mentorship by STEM professionals
Foodway Program
Community initiative integrating traditional knowledge, healthy food production, herbal remedies, and arts to strengthen food sovereignty and community resilience
Greenway Program
Develops and restores parks and trails along the 23-mile Bronx River Greenway, creating continuous public open space for recreation and environmental access
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 4 activities
- Advance environmental advocacy through policy and planningDevelops and promotes watershed-level policy and planning initiatives, including an updated intermunicipal watershed management plan focused on climate resilience, water quality, and habitat protection, with over 160 identified restoration and outreach projects.
- Collaborate with partner organizations to support river corridor healthPartners with over 100 organizations, including NYC Parks, to advance ecological and community health along the Bronx River corridor through joint programming, planning, and advocacy.
- Engage communities in watershed planning through public inputConducts public engagement activities including in-person and virtual meetings to gather community input on climate change, public access, and environmental priorities during the development of watershed management plans.
- Maintain green infrastructure for stormwater managementManages and maintains green infrastructure systems designed to capture and treat stormwater runoff throughout the Bronx River watershed to improve water quality and reduce flooding.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 3 activities
- Host community stewardship and recreational eventsHosts free annual community events including paddling excursions, gardening, trash cleanups, and educational activities, engaging over 1,500 volunteers and more than 5,000 participants in 2024 across events like Earth Day and City of Water Day.
- Operate River House as environmental learning laboratory and operations baseOperates River House in Starlight Park, South Bronx, serving as an environmental learning laboratory and operational base for restoration and education activities along the Bronx River.
- Use the Bronx River as an outdoor classroom for students and educatorsProvides STEM-focused environmental education using the Bronx River as an outdoor classroom, reaching over 21,500 students and 3,930 educators since 2001 through hands-on learning and curriculum-aligned programming.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Administer grants to support community-based environmental projectsManages and awards grant funding from federal programs such as the Community Change Grant and Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Program to support community-driven data collection, infrastructure improvements, and coastal adaptation initiatives.
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Conduct long-term ecological restoration of the Bronx RiverEngages in ongoing ecological restoration of the Bronx River, including native species planting, invasive species management, debris and litter removal, and erosion control, resulting in improved ecosystem health and increased wildlife presence.
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 1 activity
- Develop and restore the Bronx River greenwayLeads the development of a continuous 23-mile greenway along the Bronx River, coordinating park and trail construction from Soundview Park to Kensico Reservoir, with over $250 million committed to restoration and open space projects.
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Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
- Host Community Grant workshopsOrganizes and hosts Community Grant workshops to support community-based organizations in accessing funding and resources for local environmental and resilience projects.
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Indigenous-Led Ecosystem Stewardship 1 activity
- Implement the Foodway program to promote traditional knowledge and community resilienceRuns the Foodway program engaging community members in traditional ecological knowledge, healthy food production and preparation, herbal remedies, and nature-based arts and crafts to strengthen community resilience.
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Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Join legal actions to protect environmental and public health fundingParticipates in federal lawsuits challenging the freeze on funding for critical environmental and public health programs in partnership with other nonprofits and municipalities.
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Conservation-Focused Outdoor Sports Education 1 activity
- Operate the "Teach a Horse to Fish" education and fishing programRuns the "Teach a Horse to Fish" program to introduce Bronx residents to sustainable fishing practices and the local natural environment through hands-on education and recreational fishing opportunities.
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Transportation Policy Advocacy & Infrastructure Reform 1 activity
- Oppose transportation projects impacting the Bronx RiverAdvocates against infrastructure projects such as the Cross Bronx Expressway expansion by submitting formal letters, organizing petitions, and hosting public information sessions to protect community and environmental health.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Run youth internship programs in STEM and career developmentOperates paid high school internship programs including EELS and BOBCATS, offering college-credit-bearing STEM research opportunities and career training, with students conducting field research and presenting findings at public symposia.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.98M
Contributions & grants$1.88M95%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$62K3%
Other revenue$43K
expenses
Total expenses$2.16M
Program expenses63%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising20%
Salaries & benefits$1.54M
Grants paid out$41K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.66M
Cash$908K
Investments$0
Liabilities$166K
Net assets$1.49M
Liquid reserves5.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +12.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIDDHARTHA SANCHEZ | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $126K |
board members · 14
- CAROLYN MCLAUGHLIN — VICE CHAIR
- DARIELLA RODRIGUEZ — DIRECTOR
- DAVID SHUFFLER — DIRECTOR
- ELIZABETH FIGUEROA — DIRECTOR
- ETHAN STRELL — SECRETARY
- JOAN BYRON — BOARD & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR
- JONATHAN ROOK — TREASURER
- JUSTIN MASHIA — DIRECTOR
- MAARTEN DE KADT — DIRECTOR
- MARIT LARSON — DIRECTOR
- NICOLE PERINO — DIRECTOR
- NILKA MARTELL — CHAIR
- RAJI KALRA — DIRECTOR
- VIVIAN VAZUEZ IRIZARRY — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 39
Who they work with
- American Museum of Natural History Partner — Hosted the EELS internship student research symposium in 2023.
- Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky Government — Representative of the 92nd Assembly District who supports cooperative watershed solutions and the implementation of the updated plan.
- Bronx Borough President’s Office Government — Participated in the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee and supported the development of the updated watershed plan.
- Bronx River Parkway Reservation Conservancy Partner — Member of the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee involved in the plan update process.
- City of White Plains Partner — Joined Westchester municipalities and partners to restore and protect the Bronx River and implement stormwater management measures under the updated plan.
- Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) Government — Worked with Congressman Torres in advocating against the federal funding freeze impacting environmental and public health programs in the Bronx.
- Fannie Lou Hamer High School Partner — Partnered with the Alliance to run the BOBCATS summer internship program for students.
- Federated Conservationists of Westchester County Partner — Member of the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee and supports the climate resilience and environmental justice goals of the updated plan.
- Greenburgh Nature Center Partner — Member of the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee involved in the plan update process.
- Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share updates about events, river health, and the food forest.
- NOAA Partner — Provides tide predictions used for public safety and river access planning.
- NYC Department of City Planning Partner — Member of the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee involved in the plan update process.
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection Partner — Member of the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee involved in the plan update process.
- NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Partner — Key partner in managing and restoring the Bronx River corridor.
- NYC Soil and Water Conservation District Partner — Member of the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee involved in the plan update process.
- Natural Areas Conservancy Partner — Participated in the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee and contributed to the development of the updated watershed plan.
- New York Botanical Garden Partner — Collaborated on the protection and enhancement of the Bronx River and supported the development of the updated watershed plan.
- New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías Government — Supports the updated watershed plan as a tool for environmental justice, climate resilience, and economic development in the Bronx.
- New York City Council Member Kevin C. Riley Government — Endorses the updated watershed plan as essential for ecosystem protection, public access, and community connectivity in the Bronx.
- New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Partner — Collaborated with the Bronx River Alliance to implement priorities from the original watershed plan and co-develop the updated plan.
- New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Government — Collaborates on programming, with contact information provided through the parks.nyc.gov email domain.
- New York City Parks Partner — Works in close partnership with NYC Parks on restoration, development, and greenway construction projects along the Bronx River.
- New York Sea Grant Partner — Partnered with the Bronx River Alliance on resilience and restoration projects and participated in the plan update process.
- New York State Department of State Funder — Provided a $245,000 grant through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program to support the updated watershed plan.
- New York State Department of Transportation Government — Engaged in advocacy and submitted formal feedback regarding the Cross Bronx Expressway expansion project.
- New York State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda Government — Supports the updated plan as a means to address environmental inequities and promote community-driven climate adaptation in the 32nd Senate District.
- Public Rights Project Partner — Collaborated with Public Rights Project in legal action to restore frozen federal funding for community-based environmental programs.
- Sarah Lawrence College’s Center for the Urban River Partner — Member of the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee involved in the plan update process.
- Save the Sound Partner — Member of the Advisory Committee for the development of the updated watershed plan and committed to advancing ecological restoration along the river.
- Southern Environmental Law Center Partner — Partnered with SELC in filing a federal lawsuit challenging the administration's freeze on Congressionally approved environmental grants.
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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-Led Ecological Restorationmethodology: community_led_restorationBy centering local Bronx residents in the planning and execution of river restoration, the organization produces more equitable and sustainable environmental outcomes because community leadership increases stewardship, ensures cultural relevance, and builds long-term civic capacity for environmental action.
- Environmental Justice Through Participatory Science and Advocacymethodology: environmental_justice_collaborative_problem-solvingBy equipping communities with tools to collect water quality data and participate in decision-making, the organization drives policy change and infrastructure improvements because lived experience combined with empirical evidence strengthens advocacy and challenges systemic inequities in urban environmental governance.
- Experiential Environmental Education as Engagementmethodology: environmental-education-through-recreationBy using hands-on recreation, cultural programming, and nature-based activities to teach ecological stewardship, the organization fosters deeper community connection to the Bronx River because experiential learning increases personal relevance, engagement, and behavior change compared to traditional education models.
- Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Resiliencemethodology: nature-based_solutionsBy advocating for and implementing ecological restoration as infrastructure—such as greenways and habitat rehabilitation—the organization improves climate resilience and water quality because natural systems provide adaptive, community-benefiting services that gray infrastructure alone cannot deliver.