The Bronx Defenders
The Bronx Defenders shows consistent growth and high program spending, with reported 0% officer compensation.
EIN: 133931074 · Bronx, NY · NTEE: I80 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $65.7M |
| Total Expenses | $59.6M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $50 |
| Net Assets | $6.7M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is The Bronx Defenders Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The Bronx Defenders directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The Bronx Defenders
The Bronx Defenders (EIN: 133931074) is a nonprofit organization based in Bronx, NY, classified under NTEE code I80. The organization reported total revenue of $65.7M and total assets of $37.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Bronx Defenders's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
The Bronx Defenders is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 29 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 12.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $58.8M |
| Total Expenses | $59.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-751,812 |
| Total Assets | $44.4M |
| Total Liabilities | $37.7M |
| Net Assets | $6.7M |
| Operating Margin | -1.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 85.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 8.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, The Bronx Defenders reported a deficit of $752K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 8.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 85.0% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), The Bronx Defenders's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +13.2% | +18.6% | +80.5% |
| 2022 | +9.7% | +4.6% | +10.6% |
| 2021 | +6.4% | +5.2% | +11.5% |
| 2020 | +8.5% | +6.1% | +21.4% |
| 2019 | +9.0% | +20.7% | +1.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1997 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates The Bronx Defenders with a Mission Score of 90 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, The Bronx Defenders allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $752K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 85.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization with annual expenses exceeding $50 million, suggesting executive compensation may be categorized differently or is exceptionally low.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of The Bronx Defenders's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this scale and warrants further scrutiny into executive compensation practices.
- Significant increase in liabilities, particularly in the latest filing period (2023), which could indicate substantial debt or deferred revenue that needs further explanation.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Bronx Defenders:
- Strong and consistent revenue growth, increasing from $19.69 million in 2015 to $58.80 million in 2023, indicating expanding capacity and impact.
- High program spending efficiency, with expenses closely tracking revenue, suggesting funds are actively deployed for mission-related activities.
- Substantial asset growth, from $10.33 million in 2015 to $44.37 million in 2023, reflecting increased organizational capacity and investment.
- Consistent operational activity, with 13 filings over the period, demonstrating long-term stability and commitment to its mission.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Bronx Defenders
Is The Bronx Defenders a legitimate charity?
The Bronx Defenders (EIN: 133931074) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 90/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $65.7M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.
How does The Bronx Defenders spend its money?
The Bronx Defenders directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to The Bronx Defenders tax-deductible?
The Bronx Defenders is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 133931074). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the The Bronx Defenders CEO make?
The Bronx Defenders's highest-compensated officer earns $50 annually. The organization reported $65.7M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of The Bronx Defenders's spending goes to programs?
The Bronx Defenders directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does The Bronx Defenders compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), The Bronx Defenders is above average for NTEE category I80 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is The Bronx Defenders located?
The Bronx Defenders is headquartered in Bronx, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 133931074. It is classified under NTEE code I80.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does The Bronx Defenders have?
The Bronx Defenders has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $65.7M in total revenue.
How are the top executives compensated if officer compensation is consistently reported as 0%?
The IRS 990 filings for The Bronx Defenders consistently show 0% officer compensation. This is an unusual reporting practice for an organization of its size and revenue, suggesting that executive compensation might be reported under different categories (e.g., 'salaries and wages' for employees rather than 'officers'), or that the highest-paid individuals are not classified as 'officers' for 990 purposes, or that their compensation is indeed exceptionally low. Further investigation into Schedule J of the 990 or other financial statements would be needed to understand the full compensation structure for key management personnel.
What is the primary driver of the significant increase in liabilities, particularly in 2023?
The liabilities for The Bronx Defenders have grown substantially, from $2.91 million in 2015 to $37.72 million in 2023. This significant increase, especially the jump from $16.99 million in 2022 to $37.72 million in 2023, could be driven by various factors such as increased deferred revenue, new long-term debt for facility expansion, or other operational commitments. Without more detailed financial statements, the exact nature of these liabilities cannot be determined, but it suggests significant operational expansion or investment.
Is the organization's consistent spending exceeding revenue sustainable?
In several periods (e.g., 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014), The Bronx Defenders' expenses have slightly exceeded its revenue. While minor deficits can be managed through reserves or timing differences, a consistent pattern could indicate reliance on prior year surpluses or specific grant funding. However, the overall growth in assets suggests a healthy financial position, implying that these deficits are likely managed and not indicative of long-term instability.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Bronx Defenders showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Bronx Defenders's revenue has grown by 297.5%, moving from $14.8M to $58.8M. Total assets increased by 353.7% over the same period, from $9.8M to $44.4M. Total functional expenses rose by 320.3%, from $14.2M to $59.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Bronx Defenders reported a deficit of $752K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $37.7M in liabilities against $44.4M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 85.0%), resulting in net assets of $6.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $58.8M | $59.6M | $44.4M | $37.7M | — | — |
| 2022 | $51.9M | $50.2M | $24.6M | $17.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $47.4M | $48.0M | $22.2M | $16.4M | — | — |
| 2020 | $44.5M | $45.6M | $19.9M | $13.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $41.0M | $43.0M | $16.4M | $8.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $37.6M | $35.7M | $16.2M | $6.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $30.0M | $30.1M | $11.9M | $4.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $27.1M | $26.7M | $11.0M | $3.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $19.7M | $20.5M | $10.3M | $2.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $23.6M | $23.6M | $10.9M | $2.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $20.5M | $19.3M | $14.4M | $6.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $20.2M | $17.2M | $12.5M | $5.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $14.8M | $14.2M | $9.8M | $5.7M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $58.8M, expenses of $59.6M, and assets of $44.4M (revenue +13.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $51.9M, expenses of $50.2M, and assets of $24.6M (revenue +9.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $47.4M, expenses of $48.0M, and assets of $22.2M (revenue +6.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $44.5M, expenses of $45.6M, and assets of $19.9M (revenue +8.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $41.0M, expenses of $43.0M, and assets of $16.4M (revenue +9.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $37.6M, expenses of $35.7M, and assets of $16.2M (revenue +25.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $30.0M, expenses of $30.1M, and assets of $11.9M (revenue +10.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $27.1M, expenses of $26.7M, and assets of $11.0M (revenue +37.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $19.7M, expenses of $20.5M, and assets of $10.3M (revenue -16.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $23.6M, expenses of $23.6M, and assets of $10.9M (revenue +15.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $20.5M, expenses of $19.3M, and assets of $14.4M (revenue +1.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $20.2M, expenses of $17.2M, and assets of $12.5M (revenue +36.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $14.8M, expenses of $14.2M, and assets of $9.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Bronx Defenders:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The Bronx Defenders is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.