NY Attorney General Seeks to Transfer Defunct Nonprofit's Properties

Letitia James moves to dissolve Renaissance Project Inc. and give its facilities to other addiction treatment providers.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:35pm

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A minimalist, photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of legal documents, a gavel, and a set of keys floating on a clean white background, conceptually representing the legal proceedings and property transfer at the heart of this story about the dissolution of a defunct nonprofit organization.The New York Attorney General's office seeks to transfer properties from a defunct nonprofit to ensure uninterrupted addiction treatment services.Ellenville Today

New York Attorney General Letitia James has petitioned the Westchester Supreme Court to dissolve the Renaissance Project Inc., a defunct nonprofit substance abuse treatment organization, and transfer its properties to two similar organizations - Lexington Center for Recovery Inc. and Samaritan Daytop Village Inc. The Renaissance Project ceased operations in 2014 after receiving millions in state funding, leaving the properties still in its name despite the state having already transferred the treatment programs to the other providers.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges state authorities face in ensuring continuity of critical addiction treatment services when a nonprofit provider abruptly shuts down, as well as the legal tools the Attorney General can use to protect state assets and interests in such situations.

The details

According to the petition, the Renaissance Project was formed in 1982 to provide substance abuse treatment at centers in Peekskill and Ellenville, New York. The state financed the programs and secured the properties with Dormitory Authority mortgages, ensuring the facilities would be dedicated to treatment for 20 years. However, in 2014, the Renaissance Project suddenly ceased operations, reneging on state contracts and disbanding the organization before the mortgages could be finalized. The state quickly transferred the treatment programs to Lexington Center and Samaritan Daytop Village, but the properties remained in Renaissance Project's name, preventing the state from placing new liens to secure continued services for 30 years.

  • The Renaissance Project was formed in 1982.
  • In 2014, the Renaissance Project abruptly ceased operations.
  • On March 26, 2026, the Attorney General petitioned the court to dissolve the Renaissance Project.

The players

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General who is seeking to dissolve the Renaissance Project and transfer its properties.

Renaissance Project Inc.

A defunct nonprofit substance abuse treatment organization that ceased operations in 2014 after receiving millions in state funding.

Lexington Center for Recovery Inc.

A Katonah-based organization that took over the Peekskill treatment program from the Renaissance Project.

Samaritan Daytop Village Inc.

A Queens-based organization that took over the Ellenville treatment program from the Renaissance Project.

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What they’re saying

“The Renaissance Project is precisely such an entity. … In every meaningful sense, it is incapable of carrying out its corporate mission.”

— Peggy J. Farber, Assistant Attorney General, Charities Bureau

What’s next

The Westchester Supreme Court will decide whether to grant the Attorney General's petition to dissolve the Renaissance Project and transfer its properties.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of state oversight and legal mechanisms to protect public assets and ensure continuity of critical social services when nonprofit providers unexpectedly cease operations, underscoring the Attorney General's role in safeguarding the public interest.