Brooklyn Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Over $5 million in grants
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Twice yearly decisions
• Grant Range: $3,500 - $350,000 (based on recent awards)
• Geographic Focus: Brooklyn, NY

Contact Details

• Website: brooklyn.org
• Address: 80 Hanson Place, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Email: Not publicly listed

Overview

Founded in 1999, Brooklyn Community Foundation (also known as Brooklyn Org) is a public foundation dedicated to sparking lasting social change across Brooklyn. With total assets exceeding $141 million and annual revenue of $39.3 million (2024), the foundation mobilizes people, capital, and expertise for a fair and just Brooklyn. The foundation has demonstrated significant commitment to racial equity, with nearly 75% of funded organizations being BIPOC-led as of 2022. Their mission centers on ending inequity and injustice in Brooklyn through unrestricted grant funding and comprehensive support services including coaching, skill-building, and network connections.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Operating Support: Rolling deadline (next cycle April 15, 2026), supports organizations advancing racial justice
• Microgrants: Up to $10,000, for organizations with budgets under $100,000 (next cycle May 31, 2026)
• Invest in Youth: Youth development programs
• Neighborhood Strength: Community cohesion initiatives
• Brooklyn Accelerator: Capacity building program
• Racial Justice Grants: Targeted support for racial equity work

Priority Areas

• Families and Youth
• Immigrants and Older Adults
• Civil Rights and Justice Reform
• Civic Engagement
• Environmental Justice
• Housing
• Health & Well-Being
• Jobs & Economic Opportunity
• Arts & Culture

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly documented on available resources

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

• Jocelynne Rainey - CEO & President
• Michael Gillespie - Board Chair (2024)
• Nicole G Epps - Principal Officer
• 25-member Board of Directors

The foundation prioritizes BIPOC leadership and community-led solutions, with demonstrated commitment to funding grassroots organizations across Brooklyn's diverse communities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

• Online application portal available at brooklyn.org/how-to-apply-for-bko-funding/
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis
• Funding decisions made twice per year
• Application clinics offered with streaming options available
• Sign up for nonprofit newsletter for funding opportunity notifications

Decision Timeline

• Decisions made twice annually
• Specific timeline from submission to decision not publicly available
• Rolling applications allow submission at any time

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available documentation

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding patterns and priorities:

• Strong alignment with racial justice and equity goals essential
• BIPOC-led organizations receive priority consideration
• Focus on community-led, grassroots solutions
• Demonstrate impact on Brooklyn communities
• Organizations at various stages of growth are welcomed
• Unrestricted funding model suggests emphasis on organizational sustainability
• Attend application clinics for best guidance
• Small organizations (under $100,000 budget) should apply for Microgrants program

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Prioritizes BIPOC-led organizations - 75% of funded organizations in 2022
• Offers unrestricted funding providing flexibility for grantees
• Provides comprehensive support beyond funding including coaching and network building
• Rolling application deadlines allow flexible submission timing
• Decisions made twice yearly require strategic timing consideration
• Focus on systemic change and racial justice should be central to proposals
• Small organizations have dedicated Microgrants program with simplified process

References

• Brooklyn Community Foundation Official Website (brooklyn.org) - Accessed December 2025
• Brooklyn Community Foundation Grant Application Page (brooklyn.org/how-to-apply-for-bko-funding/) - Accessed December 2025
• Brooklyn Community Foundation Grants Page (brooklyn.org/grants/) - Accessed December 2025
• Brooklyn Community Foundation Grantees Directory (brooklyn.org/grantees/) - Accessed December 2025
• GuideStar Profile (guidestar.org/profile/11-3422729) - Accessed December 2025
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Brooklyn Community Foundation Form 990 Data (projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/113422729) - Accessed December 2025