City Relief

City Relief, formerly known as New York City Relief, is a faith-based charitable organization that focuses on helping the homeless population of the New York City area. The organization converts buses and uses them to distribute supplies and other aid to areas with a large homeless population. 1

At-A-Glance

Issue Areas: Housing Policy
Website: cityrelief.org
Founded:

1989

CEO:

Josiah Haken

Location: Elizabeth, NJ View on map
Tax ID: 11-2974154
Most Recent Filing: 2025
Budget (2025): Assets: $2,546,560 Revenue: $6,014,231 Expenses: $6,229,038

Contents

    In June 2022, City Relief was cited as a model organization for potential donors in an article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy that urged donors to support building stronger families instead of abortion advocacy. 2

    Overview

    City Relief is an Elizabeth, New Jersey-based organization that works to aid the homeless in the New York City metropolitan area. The organization distributes hot food, hygiene kits, socks, and prays for the needs of the homeless in the areas they serve. 1

    City Relief is a mobile outreach organization. The organization converts buses and travels to areas that are publicized in advance. The buses arrive regardless of weather conditions to serve hot soup and bread and deliver other supplies such as hygiene kits and socks. 1

    In addition to providing food and clothing to the homeless, City Relief works to connect the homeless to emergency shelters, job programs, and drug and alcohol treatment. 1 After an initial referral to job programs or shelter, the organization has a Follow Up Care Team that continues to work with the homeless client. They help them navigate through agencies and government programs. The organization works with more than 250 organizations in the New York City metro area. 1

    The organization began work as New York City Relief in February 1989 after its founder Richard Galloway, then a successful entrepreneur, mobilized hundreds of volunteers and worked out of donated office space. Galloway said that he made the move from Dallas, Texas after reading Isaiah 58 and being touched by God’s concern for the poor and oppressed. The organization began its mission with a converted 1971 GMC bus. 3

    In June 2022 after the Dobbs decision held that there was no constitutional right to an abortion, an article appeared op-ed in The Chronicle of Philanthropy urged donors to stop funding abortion advocacy and instead start supporting organizations which help make families stronger. One of the organizations that was cited favorably in the article was City Relief. 4

    Leadership

    Josiah Haken is the chief executive officer of City Relief. 5 He was previously the vice president of outreach operations. He also a minister by training. 6

    Ed Herr is the chairman of the board. He is the president and CEO of Herr Foods, Inc. 5

    Finances

    According to its 2020 tax return, City Relief had revenue of $6,334,801 and expenses of $5,622,707 and assets worth $1,349,138. 7

    The organization is entirely funded through private donations 3 and receives support from businesses and churches in the area. 8

    Financial Statistics

    Total Assets

    Total Revenue

    Total Expenses

    YearTotal AssetsTotal RevenueTotal ExpensesFiling
    2025 $2,546,560 $6,014,231 $6,229,038 View
    2023 $1,923,039 $6,605,059 $6,598,848 View
    2022 $1,018,296 $4,807,003 $5,297,854 View
    2021 $1,487,083 $5,546,178 $5,064,439 View
    2020 $1,349,138 $6,334,801 $5,622,707
    2018 $785,618 $3,739,298 $3,908,686 View

    Prior year filings: 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

    Revenue Detail

    Expenses Detail

    Employee Compensation

    • Number of Employees: 45

    Highest Earning Employees

    EmployeeTitleTotal Compensation
    Elysia Saint-AngeCOO$124,333
    Josiah HakenCEO$91,884

    Grant Activity

    All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:

    • Total Grant Value: $6,045,836
    • Number of Grants: 327
    • Number of Funders: 94

    Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years:

    AmountYearFunderSubject
    $325,9602022 Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift FundFor grant recipient's exempt purposes
    $265,4742023 Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift FundFor grant recipient's exempt purposes
    $233,1722020 Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift FundFor grant recipient's exempt purposes
    $213,3592023 Hope for New YorkRefer to Part IV
    $203,8502020 Hope for New YorkRefer to Part IV
    $177,8002022 Hope for New YorkRefer to Part IV
    $175,0002023 The Grace and Mercy Foundation IncHUMANITARIAN
    $175,0002022 The Grace and Mercy Foundation IncHUMANITARIAN
    $172,4402021 Hope for New YorkRefer to Part IV
    $169,8962021 Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift FundFor grant recipient's exempt purposes
    $150,0002021 The Grace and Mercy Foundation IncHUMANITARIAN
    $150,0002020 Harold C. Smith FoundationUS COVID-19 RELIEF: SERVING HOMELESS POPULATION WITH FOOD AND EMERGENCY SUPPLIES.
    $143,0002024 Hope for New YorkRefer to Part IV
    $125,0002024 Bolger Foundation IncTO ASSIST THE ORG. IN ITS CHARITABLE FUNCTION
    $100,0002023 T. Rowe Price Program for Charitable Giving IncGENERAL OPERATING
    $100,0002020 Better Than I Foundation It
    $80,0002020 The New York Community TrustTo cover the costs of personal protective equipment, direct financial assistance, and food for homeless individuals in New York City during the COVID-19 crisis
    $75,0002023 Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation Inc C/o Joel E Sammet & Co LLPGENERAL TAX EXEMPT PURPOSES
    $75,0002022 Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation Inc C/o Joel E Sammet & Co LLPGENERAL TAX EXEMPT PURPOSES
    $52,4082021 Britt Worldwide Charities IncGENERAL PURPOSE
    $50,5002022 Britt Worldwide Charities IncGENERAL PURPOSE
    $40,0002020 Robin Hood FoundationGENERAL
    $40,0002020 Frank X & Mary Ethel Weny Charitable TrustSERVE NY HOMELESS
    $39,3002022 National Christian Charitable Foundation, Inc.POVERTY
    $38,3502021 National Christian Charitable Foundation, Inc.POVERTY

    References

    1. “Our Approach.”  City Relief. Accessed July 18, 2022. https://cityrelief.org/our-approach.
    2. Rose, Megan. “Philanthropy Should Focus On Building Stronger Families—Not Supporting Abortion Advocacy.”  Chronicle Of Philanthropy. June 27, 2022. https://www.philanthropy.com/article/philanthropy-should-focus-on-building-stronger-families-not-supporting-abortion-advocacy.
    3. Our Founders.” City Relief. Accessed July 18, 2022. https://cityrelief.org/our-founders.
    4. Rose, Megan. “Philanthropy Should Focus On Building Stronger Families—Not Supporting Abortion Advocacy.” Chronicle Of Philanthropy. Jun. 27, 2022 https://www.philanthropy.com/article/philanthropy-should-focus-on-building-stronger-families-not-supporting-abortion-advocacy.
    5. “Our Team.” City Relief. Accessed July 18, 2022. https://cityrelief.org/our-team.
    6. “About Me.”  Josiah Haken. Accessed July 18, 2022. https://www.josiahhaken.com/about-me.
    7. City Relief. Return of an Organization Exempt From Income Tac (Form 990). 2020. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/112974154/202140819349300544/full.
    8. “Our Partners.”  City Relief. Accessed July 18, 2022. https://cityrelief.org/our-partners.