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← COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT INC.

What the amendment changed

Compared with the return it replaced , filed 15 May 2025. matched by us Only the Part I totals and the names listed in Part VII are compared. We relate returns by organization, tax year and form, and order them by each return's own timestamp; the filer's own "amended return" checkbox is a separate fact.

Both are the same on the two returns, so the amendment changed something else.

Totals

Total revenue
$29,786,587
Total expenses
$23,036,082
Contributions and grants received
$18,901,637
Grants paid
$10,105
Program service revenue
$10,405,058
Investment income
$120,872
Other revenue
$359,020
Total assets, end of year
$66,125,511
Total liabilities, end of year
$15,757,923
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$50,367,588
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$18,395,131
Management and general expenses
$3,050,220
Fundraising expenses
$1,590,731
Program service expenses (Part III)
$18,395,131

Program services were 79.9% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $214,883

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $9,374,146

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $9,312,608

  • 2a · Program service revenue: PARTICIPANT RENTAL FEE

    total $5,215,782 · related or exempt $5,215,782

  • 2b · Program service revenue: FOOD ACCESS

    total $4,636,758 · related or exempt $4,636,758

  • 2c · Program service revenue: OTHER FEES

    total $500,843 · related or exempt $500,843

  • 2d · Program service revenue: GREENMARKET TOKEN PROCESSING

    total $40,054 · related or exempt $40,054

  • 2e · Program service revenue: MERCHANDISE SALES

    total $11,621 · related or exempt $11,621

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $105,673 · excluded $105,673

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $15,199

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $15,199

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $15,199 · excluded $15,199

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $90,342

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $214,883

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $90,342

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $0

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $359,020 · related or exempt $359,020

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $359,020

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $4,290 · program services $4,290

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $5,815 · program services $5,815

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $769,330 · management and general $424,767 · fundraising $344,563

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $11,304,627 · program services $9,360,872 · management and general $1,224,951 · fundraising $718,804

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $302,548 · program services $273,340 · management and general $8,131 · fundraising $21,077

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,739,118 · program services $1,272,906 · management and general $298,270 · fundraising $167,942

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,033,621 · program services $801,361 · management and general $141,228 · fundraising $91,032

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $189,497 · program services $6,629 · management and general $182,868

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $88,083 · management and general $88,083

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $15,833 · management and general $15,833

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $784,966 · program services $493,716 · management and general $180,570 · fundraising $110,680

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $98,518 · program services $92,842 · management and general $5,676

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $409,016 · program services $232,536 · management and general $162,840 · fundraising $13,640

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $176,182 · program services $85,552 · management and general $63,064 · fundraising $27,566

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $754,158 · program services $742,556 · management and general $11,602

  • 17 · Travel

    total $164,601 · program services $160,148 · management and general $4,251 · fundraising $202

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $78,999 · program services $56,980 · management and general $19,625 · fundraising $2,394

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $110,430 · program services $107,995 · management and general $2,435

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $553,463 · program services $459,125 · management and general $94,338

  • 24a · Other expenses: COST OF FOOD/PLANTS

    total $3,226,925 · program services $3,226,925

  • 24b · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT LEASE/RENTAL

    total $336,782 · program services $329,636 · management and general $7,146

  • 24c · Other expenses: FIELD SUPPLIES

    total $331,475 · program services $322,052 · management and general $9,423

  • 24d · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $331,014 · program services $238,752 · management and general $89,774 · fundraising $2,488

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $226,791 · program services $121,103 · management and general $15,345 · fundraising $90,343

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $312,790 · end of year $1,096,839

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $2,774,305 · end of year $1,897,781

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $27,650,244 · end of year $14,337,031

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $1,031,107 · end of year $2,136,251

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $21,862,500 · end of year $21,862,500

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $251,544 · end of year $428,657

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $237,147 · end of year $256,101

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $1,434,892

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $891,462

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $653,860 · end of year $543,430

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $748,039 · end of year $810,555

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $13,862,797 · end of year $22,756,366

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $8,550,747 · end of year $4,919,091

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $367,840 · end of year $787,065

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $16,876,611 · end of year $9,975,370

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $247,980 · end of year $76,397

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $38,944,646 · end of year $42,669,313

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $4,396,509 · end of year $7,698,275

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT, INC. D/B/A GROWNYC ("GROWNYC") EMPOWERS ALL NEW YORKERS TO EQUITABLY ACCESS FRESH, LOCALLY GROWN FOOD AND NEIGHBORHOOD GREEN SPACES, REDUCE WASTE, AND CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG NEW YORKERS AND SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.

  • WHOLESALE, WHICH PURCHASES FRESH PRODUCE AND OTHER FARM PRODUCTS FROM NORTHEAST REGIONAL FARMS AND DISTRIBUTES TO FOOD PANTRIES, SENIOR CENTERS, DAYCARES, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS. UNDER THIS NOT-FOR-PROFIT MODEL, FARMERS GET A FAIR PRICE FOR THEIR PRODUCT AND PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES GAIN RELIABLE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, NUTRIENT-DENSE FOODS. NEARLY 80% OF THE FOOD DISTRIBUTED GOES TO NUTRITIONALLY AT-RISK POPULATIONS.

    Expenses $5,512,928 · Revenue $3,791,586

  • FOOD ACCESS & AGRICULTURE, WHICH OPERATES 80 RETAIL FOOD ACCESS LOCATIONS INCLUDING GREENMARKETS, FARMSTANDS, AND FRESH FOOD BOX SITES. THESE LOCATIONS PROVIDE MORE THAN 200 SMALL, REGIONAL PRODUCERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL THEIR FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND OTHER FARM PRODUCTS TO NEW YORKERS. ALL LOCATIONS PROMOTE AND ACCEPT SNAP AND OTHER NUTRITION INCENTIVES. THE FARMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING TO EXPERIENCED AND BEGINNING FARMERS TO INCREASE LONG-TERM VIABILITY.

    Expenses $5,953,781 · Grants $9,605 · Revenue $6,230,685

  • ZERO WASTE, WHICH OPERATES MORE THAN 50 FOOD SCRAP DROP-OFF SITES THROUGHOUT THE CITY, COORDINATES TEXTILE COLLECTIONS, ORGANIZES STOP 'N' SWAP COMMUNITY REUSE EVENTS, AND PROVIDES OUTREACH AND EDUCATION TO ALL NEW YORKERS TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN THE CITY'S ZERO WASTE PROGRAMS AND HELP CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES. ZERO WASTE DROP-OFF SITES COLLECTED 2.2 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD SCRAPS IN 2023. THE NON-RENEWAL OF TWO MAJOR CITY CONTRACTS RESULTED IN THE ZERO WASTE PROGRAMS PAUSING AS OF JUNE 30, 2024 AS THE ORGANIZATION ASSESSES HOW TO CONTINUE ZERO WASTE PROGRAMMING.

    Expenses $2,420,925 · Revenue $517

  • EDUCATION, WHICH CONNECTS K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO THE NATURAL WORLD WITH AN EYE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. STUDENTS LEARN SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIORS THAT LAST A LIFETIME THROUGH THE SCHOOL GARDENS PROGRAM, ZERO WASTE SCHOOLS PROGRAM, EXPERIENTIAL FIELD TRIPS TO THE TEACHING GARDEN AT GOVERNORS ISLAND, GREENMARKET TOURS, AND IN-CLASS CURRICULUM. ADDITIONALLY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE DIGITAL RESOURCES PROVIDE EDUCATION FOR ALL AGES. YOUNG ADULTS ENGAGE IN SUMMER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INTERNSHIPS, ROTATING THROUGH GROWNYC'S PROGRAMS TO GAIN A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF FOOD SYSTEMS AND GREEN CAREERS. THE NON-RENEWAL OF TWO MAJOR CITY CONTRACTS RESULTED IN THE ZERO WASTE SCHOOL PROGRAMS PAUSING AS OF JUNE 30, 2024 AS THE ORGANIZATION ASSESSES HOW TO CONTINUE ZERO WASTE PROGRAMMING.

    Expenses $3,095,397 · Grants $500 · Revenue $14,955

  • GREEN SPACE, WHICH CREATES, REJUVENATES, AND PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL MATERIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SEVERAL NEW COMMUNITY GARDENS EACH YEAR IN ADDITION TO HELPING MORE THAN 100 GARDENS CREATED IN PRIOR YEARS; BUILDS RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS AND PROMOTES BEST PRACTICES IN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND COLLABORATIVE INSTALLATIONS; AND OPERATES A SUBSTANTIAL TEACHING GARDEN ON GOVERNORS ISLAND.

    Expenses $1,197,768 · Revenue $237,737

  • PROJECT FARMHOUSE, WHICH ALLOWS ALL NEW YORKERS TO EXPLORE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THROUGH THE LENS OF FOOD, HORTICULTURE, ARTS, RECYCLING, COOKING, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION. LOCATED AT 76 EAST 13TH STREET IN MANHATTAN, PROJECT FARMHOUSE IS A STATE-OF-THE-ART SUSTAINABILITY AND EDUCATION CENTER, AND A HOME FOR DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING.

    Expenses $107,663 · Revenue $162,750

  • NEW YORK STATE REGIONAL FOOD HUB, WHICH WILL ESTABLISH A WHOLESALE FOOD DISTRIBUTION HUB TO SERVE SMALL- TO MID-SIZED FARMS IN NEW YORK STATE THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WAREHOUSE FACILITY IN THE HUNTS POINT SECTION OF THE BRONX. THE FACILITY WILL INCLUDE APPROXIMATELY 60,000 SQUARE FEET OF REFRIGERATED/FREEZER AND FOOD PROCESSING SPACE AND WILL SERVE AS A NEW HOME FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S EXTANT WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM IN ADDITION TO OTHER TENANTS. THE TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST IS $45 MILLION INCLUDING PRE-CONSTRUCTION SOFT COSTS, WHICH COMMENCED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2017. THE FORMAL GROUND-BREAKING OCCURRED IN MARCH 2021. ON MARCH 31, 2025 THE FOOD HUB FACILITY RECEIVED A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AND AS OF APRIL 28, 2025 THE GROWNYC WHOLESALE PROGRAM BEGAN OPERATING OUT OF THE FOOD HUB FACILITY.

    Expenses $106,669 · Revenue $293,971

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Anita Kawatra

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Arline Bronzaft

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Aileen Chu

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Bret Csencsitz

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Charlene Balfour

    CO-CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Charles Ramat

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Eugene Schneur

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Everard Findlay

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Michelle Bang

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Johan Segergren

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Vasanth Ganesan

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jordan Barowitz

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lea Savoji

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Liz Neumark

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Marianne Spraggins

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mark Izeman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Nancy Elder

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Nicholas Scharlatt

    CO-CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robert Kafin Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Samara Daly

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Victoria Contino

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Wellington Chen

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Marcel Van Ooyen

    PRESIDENT/CEO

    Total calculated
    $363,819
    From this org
    $300,837
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $62,982
    Hours/week
    35 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $300,837
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $19,020
    Nontaxable benefits
    $43,962
    Filer's total
    $363,819

  • Julie Walsh

    ASST. DIRECTOR/ASST. SEC.

    Total calculated
    $190,944
    From this org
    $166,039
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,905
    Hours/week
    35 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $166,039
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,705
    Filer's total
    $190,944

  • Dennis Conroy

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

    Total calculated
    $189,214
    From this org
    $178,106
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,108
    Hours/week
    35 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $176,106
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $2,000
    Deferred
    $10,566
    Nontaxable benefits
    $542
    Filer's total
    $189,214

  • Angela Davis

    DIRECTOR, FOOD ACCESS & AG

    Total calculated
    $157,914
    From this org
    $152,525
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,389
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $150,525
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $2,000
    Deferred
    $3,047
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,342
    Filer's total
    $157,914

  • Gerard Lordahl

    DIRECTOR, GREEN SPACE

    Total calculated
    $205,970
    From this org
    $177,817
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,153
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $177,817
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $11,048
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,105
    Filer's total
    $205,970

  • Michelle Sarria

    DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES

    Total calculated
    $181,402
    From this org
    $166,757
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,645
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $164,357
    Bonus
    $2,400
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $1,668
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,977
    Filer's total
    $181,402

  • Nicholas Rolf

    DIRECTOR, ADVANCEMENT

    Total calculated
    $158,388
    From this org
    $135,986
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,402
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $135,486
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $500
    Deferred
    $6,938
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,464
    Filer's total
    $158,388

  • Corinna Lee

    DIRECTOR, WHOLESALE FOOD DISTRIBUTION

    Total calculated
    $145,225
    From this org
    $122,791
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,434
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $122,791
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,404
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,030
    Filer's total
    $145,225

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

  • FOOD HUB QALICB INC

    501(C)(3) · TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE EFFORTS OF COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT, INC. · NY · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT INC

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • NEW YORK STATE REGIONAL FOOD HUB LLC

    TO OWN ASSETS AND CARRY ON ACTIVITIES SUPPORTIVE OF THE ORG'S MISSION · NY · income $2,913,902 · assets $49,895,584

    Directly controlled by COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT INC

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
12 June 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202511639349301726

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