Brooklyn Defender Services

Analysis

Brooklyn Defender Services is a registered charity in United States, based in Brooklyn, NY. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in August 1996, 30 years ago. Its declared purposes cover civil rights, social action and advocacy, which this site groups under human rights and equality. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Brooklyn Defender Services reported income of $75.6m and spending of $75.8m, spending 100% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $49.1m to $75.6m (+54%), an average of +11% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2020, when income rose by 25%. Over the whole period it spent 102% of the income it received.

Among 9,611 United States charities whose main cause is human rights and equality and that reported income, Brooklyn Defender Services sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 98th percentile within NY. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Kind Inc ($74.4m), Community Resources for Justice Inc ($80.3m) and Oriana House Inc ($72.4m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 100% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $605k (0.8% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $46.5m. At year end it held assets of $53.0m against liabilities of $56.9m, net assets of -$3.9m. It reported 612 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.