In Our Backyards Inc (doing business as ioby) is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 2008, the organization operates a digital crowd-resourcing platform that empowers residents to plan, fund, and implement neighborhood improvement projects. The organization mobilizes neighbors with civic ideas to become leaders who create positive change in their own communities through a combination of crowdfunding, coaching, fiscal sponsorship, and technical assistance.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.3M
-50.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+40.5% YoY
Grant Count
100
+33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+5.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: ioby mobilizes neighbors who have good ideas to become powerful civic leaders who plan, fund, and make positive change in their own neighborhoods.
The organization addresses barriers to neighborhood-led action, including lack of funding, lack of confidence, unfamiliarity with permitting processes, lack of 501(c)(3) status, insufficient teams, and uncertainty about community support.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Urban and Community Economic Development
Grantmaking
In Our Backyards Inc functions as both a grantmaker and fiscal sponsor for neighborhood projects. Based on their most recent financial data:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In Our Backyards Inc operates nationally, serving projects in more than 260 places across the United States. Primary focus areas include New York, Ohio, and California, though the organization has expanded significantly beyond its original 2009 NYC pilot launch.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023):
- Total assets: $1,303,950
- Total revenues: $4,035,181
- Total expenses: $5,020,069
- Total giving: $2,080,187
- Staff: 25 employees
Previous Year (2022):
- Gross receipts: $5,002,721
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,303,950 | $2,642,466 | $2,495,951 |
| Revenue | $4,035,181 | $5,002,721 | $5,883,251 |
| Expenses | $5,020,069 | $5,058,811 | $6,454,153 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,142 | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include Mama Scrap's Inc ($57,432), The Hustle Presents Inc ($48,500), Flawless4youth Inc ($31,490).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MAMA SCRAP'S INC FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SACRED RESISTANCE: RETURN | $57,432 |
| THE HUSTLE PRESENTS INC NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE HUSTLE PRESENTS | $48,500 |
| FLAWLESS4YOUTH INC SACRAMENTO, CA | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR FLAWLESS4YOUTH | $31,490 |
| THE MUSIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE ROGERS, AR | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE JUKE JOINT PROJECT | $30,109 |
| NORTHSONG WILD BIRD REHABILITATION BURLINGTON, VT | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR NWBR: OUR FACILITY'S FUTURE | $29,993 |
| DON CONLEY BOXING CLUB SACRAMENTO, CA | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR 2023 USA BOXING JR OLYMPICS | $29,550 |
| SAMHATI BENTONVILLE INC BENTONVILLE, AR | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SAMHATI - DURGA PUJA 2023 | $29,400 |
| MEXICAN CULTURAL CENTER OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SACRAMENTO, CA | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR RENOVATION OF MIGUEL HIDALGO BUST | $27,623 |
| ACTION RESEARCH COLLABORATIVE INC RALEIGH, NC | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SYSTEM CHANGE FOR THE RIDESHARE PLATFORM ECONOMY | $24,165 |
| PROFESSIONAL ARTISTIC RESEARCH PROJECTS NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EXPANDING NORTHSIDE ARTS HUB // PAR-PROJECTS | $21,104 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key leadership identified in organizational filings:
- Erin Barnes - Principal Officer
- Whitney Brandon - Vice President and COO
- Irene Boland Nielson - President
- Cameron Dr. Tonkinwise - Secretary
- Charlotte Kaiser - Treasurer
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| APOLLO GONZALES | BOARD CHAIR | 1.9 | — |
| EVELYN BURNETT | VICE CHAIR | 1.9 | — |
| JAMIE HAND | PAST CHAIR | 1.9 | — |
| JENA BRADLEY | SECRETARY | 1.9 | — |
| CHRISTINE RICO | TREASURER | 1.9 | — |
| LOREN BLACKFORD | DIRECTOR | 1.3 | — |
| LINDSAY CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR | 1.3 | — |
| MICHELLE HUANG | DIRECTOR | 1.3 | — |
| SCOTT MILLER | DIRECTOR | 1.3 | — |
| JUSTIN G MOORE | DIRECTOR | 1.3 | — |
| IOANNA PARASKEVOPOLOUS | DIRECTOR | 1.3 | — |
| OMAR PARBHOO | DIRECTOR | 1.9 | — |
| HARRIET TREGONING | DIRECTOR | 1.3 | — |
| CAMILLA VELASQUEZ | DIRECTOR | 1.3 | — |
| KARYN WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 1.3 | — |
| ERIN BARNES | COFOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $29,755 |
| HANNA ZAHORY | CFO | 40 | $62,056 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
As of the most recent available data (2023), In Our Backyards Inc has supported more than 2,500 completed projects with over $10 million in citizen philanthropy. The organization continues to operate its digital platform and provide comprehensive support services to resident-led neighborhood initiatives across the country.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does In Our Backyards Inc fund?
**Mission Statement:** ioby mobilizes neighbors who have good ideas to become powerful civic leaders who plan, fund, and make positive change in their own neighborhoods. The organization addresses barriers to neighborhood-led action, including lack of funding, lack of confidence, unfamiliarity with permitting processes, lack of 501(c)(3) status, insufficient teams, and uncertainty about community support. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Ser…
How do I apply for a grant from In Our Backyards Inc?
In Our Backyards Inc functions as both a grantmaker and fiscal sponsor for neighborhood projects. Based on their most recent financial data: • **Total giving (2023):** $2,080,187 • **Typical award range:** $5,022–$162,010 • **Total assets (2023):** $1,303,950 The organization provides grants and fiscal sponsorship support to resident-led projects. Their grantmaking model removes barriers to neighborhood action by combining crowdfunding platform access with coaching, training, technical assistan…
Where does In Our Backyards Inc make grants?
In Our Backyards Inc operates nationally, serving projects in more than 260 places across the United States. Primary focus areas include New York, Ohio, and California, though the organization has expanded significantly beyond its original 2009 NYC pilot launch.
What size grants does In Our Backyards Inc award?
In 2023, In Our Backyards Inc awarded 100 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is In Our Backyards Inc's EIN?
In Our Backyards Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3283639. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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