irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.00MHOUSING ADVOCACY AND ORGANIZING: GOLES PROVIDES TENANT RIGHTS AND EVICTION PREVENTION COUNSELING TO INCOME ELIGIBLE TENANTS AT LARGE WHO LIVE ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE. GOLES WORKS WITH TENANTS IN ORGANIZING AND STRENGTHENING TENANT ASSOCIATIONS TO OBTAIN QUALITY REPAIRS, STOP LANDLORD HARASSMENT, AND PROTECT LOW-INCOME TENANTS FROM BEING DISPLACED.
- #2 $224KWORKFORCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: GOLES OFFERS JOB READINESS ASSISTANCE, JOB SKILLS TRAINING, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT REACH LOWER EAST SIDE UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Eviction Prevention & Tenants’ Rights Counseling
Provides housing counseling to tenants in rent-regulated, public, Mitchell-Lama, HDFC, and Section 8 housing on tenant rights, eviction defense, landlord harassment, and legal referrals
GOLES Healthy Aging Program (GHAP)
Preventative healthcare initiative for seniors offering housing counseling, benefits assistance, health referrals, and community workshops on rights and wellbeing
HPD Housing Ambassadors
Partners with NYC HPD to assist residents with affordable housing lottery applications and interview preparation
LES Healthy Communities Map
Interactive map sharing information on community gardens, parks, health clinics, open streets, Citi Bike stations, and food access points
School Community Fridges
Plant-based community fridge program at eight public schools providing weekly food access to students and families, developed through participatory budgeting
Workforce Development
Offers job readiness training, skills development, and supportive services to unemployed and underemployed Lower East Side residents
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Housing Policy Advocacy & Tenant Organizing 2 activities
- Affordable housing lottery assistanceParticipates in HPD’s Housing Ambassadors Program to assist Lower East Side residents with applications and interview preparation for affordable housing lotteries, increasing access to subsidized housing opportunities.
- Strengthening tenant associations and organizing against displacementOrganizes and supports tenant associations to secure building repairs, resist landlord harassment, prevent displacement, and combat gentrification in the Lower East Side. This includes community-wide organizing efforts and advocacy as part of broader anti-displacement strategies.
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Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
- Community engagement and leadership developmentFacilitates cultural programs, community stewardship initiatives, and leadership development activities, including participation in the GHAP Steering Committee and organizing community events and actions.
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Community fridge program for students and familiesOperates and stocks plant-based community fridges at eight public schools in the Lower East Side, providing food access to students and families. The program launched in September 2022 and involves weekly restocking.
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Intake and Referral Coordination 1 activity
- Community health and wellness outreachOffers health services information and referrals, conducts community workshops on health and wellbeing, and provides wellness checks and needs assessments to residents. Includes support for navigating the healthcare system and promoting holistic wellness.
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Community Health Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Community resource mapping and public informationCreates and maintains an interactive Google Map highlighting community assets such as community gardens, parks, health clinics, community fridges, and Citi Bike stations to promote equitable access to healthy resources in the Lower East Side.
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Urban Policy and Equity Research 1 activity
- Community-based research and policy advocacyProduces research reports and community-driven planning documents on disaster preparedness, NYCHA conditions, waterfront development, bicycling infrastructure, small business decline, and urban renewal. Key publications include “Getting LES Ready,” “Weathering the Storm,” “Local Spokes,” “A People’s Plan for the East Side Waterfront,” “SPURA Matters,” and “NO GO FOR LOCAL BUSINESS.”
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Public Benefits Navigation and Enrollment 1 activity
- Senior supportive services and benefits enrollmentProvides supportive services for low-income seniors, including counseling on housing issues, senior benefits and entitlements, enrollment and recertification for Medicare Savings Programs and SNAP, assistance with simple tax forms, and health system navigation. Services are delivered through one-on-one appointments.
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Tenant Legal Advocacy & Support Services 1 activity
- Tenant rights counseling and eviction preventionProvides housing counseling and legal referrals to tenants in rent-regulated, public, Mitchell-Lama, limited equity co-ops (HDFC), and Section 8 housing, covering rights education, communication with landlords, and eviction response. Services are offered remotely and in person to low-income residents of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, specifically Community Board 3.
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Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
- Workforce development and job readiness servicesDelivers job readiness assistance, job skills training, resume and cover letter review, interview preparation, job search support, and workers’ rights training through a Job Readiness & Career Development Program. Services are provided one-on-one to unemployed and underemployed residents of the Lower East Side.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.63M
Contributions & grants$1.63M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.16M
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$1.71M
Grants paid out$11K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.04M
Cash$2.79M
Investments$0
Liabilities$898K
Net assets$4.15M
Liquid reserves15.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -58.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAMARIS REYES | EXECTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $159K |
| SHARISA FLORES | ASSISTANT DIRECTOR | 35 | $127K |
board members · 8
- AIXA TORRES — MEMBER
- AMY TAYLOR — MEMBER
- FRANCESA MANISCO — MEMBER
- FRANK AVAILA-GOLDMAN — MEMBER
- JOSEPH PUMA — VICE CHAIR
- MARQUIS JENKINS — MEMBER
- TERESA PEDROZA — TREASURER
- TONDALISA BURRISS — CHAIRPERSON
relationships · 60
Who they work with
- ANHD Coalition — GOLES is a member of the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development coalition
- Artists, Athletes, and Activists Partner — Co-maintains plant-based community fridges at eight public schools in the Lower East Side.
- Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD) Partner — Organizational partner of GOLES
- Bank United Funder — Financial institution supporter of GOLES
- Capital One Bank Funder — Financial institution supporter of GOLES
- Change Capital Fund Funder — Foundation supporter of GOLES
- Civic Engagement Commission (CEC) Government — Funded the School Community Fridges program through participatory budgeting.
- Collegiate Church Corporation Partner — Organizational partner of GOLES
- Consortium for Worker Education Partner — Organizational partner of GOLES
- Council Member Carlina Rivera Government — Government supporter of GOLES
- Council Member Margaret Chin Government — Government supporter of GOLES
- Destiny Mata Partner — Photographer contributing images for GOLES communications
- Downtown Elves Partner — Organizational partner of GOLES
- EDA Coalition — GOLES is a member of the Energy Democracy Alliance New York coalition
- Erik McGregor Photography Partner — Organizational partner of GOLES
- Ford Foundation Funder — Foundation supporter of GOLES
- HJ4A Coalition — GOLES is a member of the Housing Justice For All coalition
- Hornblower - NYC Ferry Service Partner — Organizational partner of GOLES
- LES Ready! Partner — Collaborates with LES Ready!, a coalition of community groups coordinating disaster response and resource planning on the Lower East Side.
- LESEN Coalition — GOLES is a member of the Lower East Side Employment Network coalition
- LESReady! Coalition — GOLES is a member of the LESReady! coalition
- LYFT Partner — Organizational partner of GOLES
- Lily Auchincloss - donor advised Partner — Organizational partner of GOLES
- Lower East Side residents Partner — Primary population served through direct service appointments and referral networks.
- Lower Manhattan Employment Network (LESEN) Partner — Organizational partner of GOLES
- M&T Bank Funder — Financial institution supporter of GOLES
- MUFG Funder — Financial institution supporter of GOLES
- Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer Government — Government supporter of GOLES
- Mertz Gilmore Foundation Funder — Foundation supporter of GOLES
- NY Community Cares Fund Partner — Organizational partner of GOLES
+ 30 more
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.
- Grassroots Organizing for Collective Powermethodology: grassroots_organizingBy building power from within low-income communities through tenant organizing, grassroots leadership development, and youth leadership, we produce sustained resistance to displacement and gentrification because community-led movements are more resilient and effective at achieving systemic change.
- Participatory Community Decision-Makingmethodology: participatory_governanceBy involving residents directly in budgeting, design, and governance of community resources, we produce more equitable and sustainable outcomes because local ownership ensures relevance, accountability, and long-term engagement.
- Systemic Analysis and Collective Action for Changemethodology: systemic_analysis_and_organizingBy critically analyzing oppressive systems and mobilizing collective action grounded in social consciousness, we advance community change because systemic understanding fosters targeted, alliance-driven strategies that challenge root causes of inequity.