Modest Needs

Mission

Modest Needs works to stop the cycle of poverty before it starts for the low-income workers whom conventional philanthropy has forgotten. We do this by empowering compassionate members of the general public to safely and securely help hard-working, low-income households to afford the kinds of short-term emergency expenses. Since 2002, by working together in this very 'modest' way, Modest Needs' donors have stopped thousands of low-income individuals and families from entering the vicious cycle of poverty and a lifetime of dependence on the public welfare system for their survival. Together, we can make sure that no hard-working person is ever forced to choose between taking a child to the doctor and putting food on the table.

Proceed with Increased Caution — Confirmed Fraud

On August 18, 2025, The U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York reported on the operations of Modest Needs in an article titled, "Founder And Former CEO Of Charity Pleads Guilty To Multimillion-Dollar Charity Fraud And Tax Evasion." For more information, please see The U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York article.

  • On June 11, 2024, The New York Times published an article titled "Charity Founder Embezzled Millions and Spent on Lavish Meals, U.S. Says." For more information, please see The New York Times article

For more information about our alerts methodology, see here.

New York NY | EIN: 47-0863430
Profile managed by nonprofit | Is this your nonprofit?
501(c)(3) organization
33 Irving Place, Floor 5,
New York NY 10003
https://www.modestneeds.org/index.asp
844-667-3776

Modest Needs

Mission

Modest Needs works to stop the cycle of poverty before it starts for the low-income workers whom conventional philanthropy has forgotten. We do this by empowering compassionate members of the general public to safely and securely help hard-working, low-income households to afford the kinds of short-term emergency expenses. Since 2002, by working together in this very 'modest' way, Modest Needs' donors have stopped thousands of low-income individuals and families from entering the vicious cycle of poverty and a lifetime of dependence on the public welfare system for their survival. Together, we can make sure that no hard-working person is ever forced to choose between taking a child to the doctor and putting food on the table.

Proceed with Increased Caution — Confirmed Fraud

On August 18, 2025, The U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York reported on the operations of Modest Needs in an article titled, "Founder And Former CEO Of Charity Pleads Guilty To Multimillion-Dollar Charity Fraud And Tax Evasion." For more information, please see The U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York article.

  • On June 11, 2024, The New York Times published an article titled "Charity Founder Embezzled Millions and Spent on Lavish Meals, U.S. Says." For more information, please see The New York Times article

For more information about our alerts methodology, see here.

New York NY | EIN: 47-0863430
Profile managed by nonprofit | Is this your nonprofit?
501(c)(3) organization
33 Irving Place, Floor 5,
New York NY 10003
https://www.modestneeds.org/index.asp
844-667-3776

Beacon Report

  • Great
  • Good
  • Needs Improvement
  • Poor
  • Incomplete
  • Additional Information
Accountability Panel
ScoreMetric
100%
Website Reported on Tax Form:Yes
100%
No Material Diversion of Assets:Yes
100%
Financial Statements:Yes
100%
Records Retention Policy:Yes
100%
Tax Form Disclosed on Website:Yes
Science behind the numbers(opens in new tab)