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

TWO BRIDGES NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 136222626 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE L20 · Housing & Shelter · Small ($100K-$1M) · twobridges.org
revenue
$830K
expenses
$1.1M
net assets
$2.9M
employees
18
program ratio
49%
mission · from form 990

TWO BRIDGES NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL, INC. ("TBNC") HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF MANHATTAN'S LOWER EAST SIDE SINCE 1954, CREATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND WORKING WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, ENTREPRENEURS AND LEADERS TO STIMULATE AND MAINTAIN ECONOMIC VITALITY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc. (TBNC) is a community-based organization serving Manhattan's Lower East Side since 1954. It focuses on creating affordable housing, promoting cultural diversity, and supporting economic vitality through direct programs in arts, youth development, environmental justice, and community engagement. The organization operates primarily in the Two Bridges, Chinatown, and Little Italy neighborhoods.

named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

Chinatown-Little Italy Historic Tour
Walking tour program offering public access to historic sites in the Chinatown and Little Italy neighborhoods, developed in partnership with Tommy's New York.
Environmental Justice Surveys
Community engagement initiative in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice to assess local environmental concerns.
Free Little Library
Community literacy project installing book-sharing libraries, launched during an Earth Day celebration.
Marco Polo Street Festival & Silk Road Ambassador Awards
Annual cultural festival celebrating the diverse heritage of Chinatown and Little Italy with street performances, processions, and awards dinner; attracts over 2,000 attendees.
Two Bridges Fitness
Provides free fitness classes for community members, including tai chi and qi gong, aimed at improving health and wellness.
Two Bridges Music
Offers music education programs including voice lessons, erhu instruction, electronic music production, and student performances; includes a music school and concert series.
Youth Basketball Program (Two Bridges Elites)
Youth sports initiative that sent a team of 40 participants to the National NACBA Basketball Tournament in Rock Hill, SC.
activities · 11 groups

What they do

  • Neighborhood Civic Engagement 1 activity
    • Advocates for community interests in planning and political processes
      Engages residents in public, political, and planning processes and advocates on issues affecting their neighborhoods, such as opposing high-rise development through legal action and organizing community efforts to protect residential spaces.
  • Senior Advocacy and Civic Engagement 1 activity
    • Advocates for older adults and marginalized groups
      Conducts advocacy work focused on protecting the rights of older adults and promoting fair pay and equity for marginalized communities.
  • Affordable Housing Development and Management 1 activity
    • Develops and creates affordable housing
      Creates and supports the development of affordable housing units for low- and moderate-income residents in Manhattan's Lower East Side. The organization has developed nearly 1,500 units of permanently affordable housing between 1972 and 1997.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Hosts community events and cultural programs
      Organizes and hosts community events such as the Marco Polo Street Festival, youth basketball tournaments, art displays, and galas to celebrate community achievements and promote engagement.
  • Public Space Beautification and Maintenance 1 activity
    • Implements environmental and public space improvement projects
      Completes community-driven environmental projects such as rain gardens, Free Little Libraries, and public art installations to enhance neighborhood resilience and beautification.
  • Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
    • Offers music and performing arts instruction
      Provides accessible music and performing arts lessons, including private and small group instruction, voice lessons in multiple genres, songwriting, and preparation for ABRSM exams, with a free trial lesson available for prospective students.
  • Youth Workforce Readiness Programs 1 activity
    • Operates youth development and workforce training programs
      Runs the D.R.E.A.M.S. YouthBuild and Young Adult Training Program, providing hands-on construction training, GED support, leadership development, service learning, and vocational certification to support young adults’ self-sufficiency and neighborhood improvement.
  • Youth Basketball Development Programs 1 activity
    • Operates youth sports programs
      Runs a youth basketball program with five teams and over 80 participants, including organized tournament participation.
  • Comprehensive Community Service Hubs 1 activity
    • Provides access to social services, education, and recreation programs
      Offers a range of services including social services, educational opportunities, and recreational activities to residents of the Lower East Side, with programs hosted in community spaces and partner sites.
  • Digital Literacy Training and Technology Access 1 activity
    • Provides access to technology
      Offers technology access to residents in the Lower East Side to support digital inclusion and community engagement.
  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
    • Provides food assistance to residents
      Distributes weekly pantry donations and provides hundreds of turkeys and meals annually during Thanksgiving to support food security among Two Bridges residents.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$830K
Contributions & grants$682K82%
Program service revenue$41K5%
Investment income$84K10%
Other revenue$23K
expenses
Total expenses$1.14M
Program expenses49%
Admin / overhead45%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$700K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$17.79M
Cash$1.88M
Investments$0
Liabilities$14.86M
Net assets$2.93M
Liquid reserves19.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -60.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DITASHIAH KOHN PRESIDENT 40 $141K
board members · 5
  • ANTHONY GIORGIO — BOARD MEMBER
  • DEBBIE LEUNG — SECRETARY
  • JERROD DELAINE — BOARD MEMBER
  • SUSAN COLE — TREASURER
  • WYNNE LEUNG KIM — BOARD CHAIR
relationships · 41

Who they work with

  • ABRSM Partner — Prepares students for ABRSM certifications and exams.
  • Admiral Security Services Partner — Supporter of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc.
  • Chinatown Partner — Partnership through shared service area and community-based programming in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
  • Crystal Claire Events Partner — Provided event décor and design for the 2026 gala
  • ESKW/Architects Partner — Community Impact Sponsor of the 2026 gala
  • GRC Management Partner — Grande Mariner Sponsor of the 2026 gala
  • Goldie Chu Community Room Partner — Host site for community programs in Two Bridges Tower
  • Hamilton Madison House Partner — Grande Mariner Sponsor of the 2026 gala
  • Hamilton-Madison House Partner — Shared board leadership and collaboration in community services.
  • Henry St Settlement Partner — Supporter and collaborator with Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc.
  • Henry Street Settlement Partner — Community Impact Sponsor of the 2026 gala
  • Local residents, businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders Partner — Collaborates with local stakeholders to maintain economic vitality in the Lower East Side.
  • Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Partner — Partnered to conduct environmental justice resident surveys in the Two Bridges neighborhood.
  • NY State Senator Brian Kavanagh Government — Recognized by TBNC for years of support and commitment to the Two Bridges community, particularly on housing and tenant protection.
  • NYC Urban Debate League Partner — Volunteer and governance collaboration.
  • NYC Water Cruises Partner — Captain’s Circle Sponsor and event venue provider for the 2026 gala
  • Newark Symphony Hall Partner — Leadership and programming collaboration in arts and culture.
  • Owner’s Media Partner — Provided videography, photography, and media coverage for the 2026 gala
  • Pitta & Baione Partner — Supporter of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc.
  • Plus Pool Partner — Supporter of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc.
  • Project FIND Partner — Shared board leadership and organizational development support.
  • Related Companies Partner — Grande Mariner Sponsor of the 2026 gala
  • Royal Business Bank Partner — Community Impact Sponsor of the 2026 gala
  • SRC Management & Productions Partner — Provided entertainment and event production for the 2026 gala
  • Settlement Housing Fund Partner — Co-sponsored the redevelopment of the Two Bridges Urban Renewal Area beginning in 1972.
  • Settlement Housing Fund Partner — Collaborated on the development and completion of the rain garden project at Two Bridges Tower.
  • Settlement Housing Fund Partner — Shared staff and leadership history in housing and youth programs.
  • Settlement Housing Fund, Inc. Partner — Grande Mariner Sponsor of the 2026 gala
  • Standard Management Partner — Provided event security and guest safety services for the 2026 gala
  • Susan Cole Partner — Individual supporter of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Inc.
+ 11 more
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.

  • Arts-Integrated Community and Youth Empowerment
    methodology: arts-integrated-community-development
    By integrating arts and culture into education and community development, we empower youth and strengthen community identity, because creative expression fosters engagement, builds cultural resilience, and opens pathways to civic participation.
  • Community Collaboration as Structural Bridge-Building
    methodology: community-broker
    By acting as a communication bridge among settlement houses, churches, and community leaders, we resolve racial and institutional conflicts, because trusted intermediary roles enable coordination across fragmented sectors and build social cohesion in diverse, gentrifying neighborhoods.
  • Community-Engaged Advocacy and Planning
    methodology: community_engaged_advocacy
    By engaging residents, community leaders, and institutions in collaborative planning and advocacy, we influence development decisions and protect neighborhood vitality, because inclusive decision-making strengthens collective agency and produces more equitable outcomes.
  • Youth Development Through Integrated Skills and Civic Engagement
    methodology: integrated-youth-development
    By combining vocational training, education, leadership development, and required civic service, we foster personal and professional growth in youth, because integrated, purpose-driven programming increases accountability, builds self-efficacy, and strengthens community ties.