New York Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,973,100 (2023)
• Success Rate: ~2-3% (5 new grants from hundreds of requests)
• Decision Time: 4 months
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $237,500 (over 5 years)
• Geographic Focus: New York City only

Contact Details

• Website: https://nyf.org
• Phone: (212) 594-8009
• Email: info@nyf.org
• Address: 150 W 30th St Ste 1401, New York, NY 10001
• Application Portal: Grant Interface

Overview

The New York Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that champions community organising and grassroots advocacy in New York City. With a mission centred on the belief that "the resilience and vitality of New Yorkers is the city's greatest resource," the foundation supports grassroots initiatives that build power to confront systemic barriers and inspire people to work towards a more just, equitable, and inclusive city. The foundation practises "transformative philanthropy," providing long-term, flexible resources whilst trusting grassroots organisations to define their own priorities without controlling their direction.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

• Core Grants: $47,500 per year - Multi-year general operating support (3 years for established groups, 5 years for emerging groups)
• Small Grants: Up to $5,000 - Organisational development support
• Strategic Opportunities Fund: Variable amounts - One-year grants for time-sensitive racial, economic, and gender justice campaigns
• Community Organising Field Support: Variable amounts - One-year grants to strengthen organising capacity
• Funder Collaborative Initiatives: Variable amounts - Pooled funding with multiple foundations

Priority Areas

• Community organising and grassroots advocacy
• Racial, economic, gender, disability, and climate justice
• Organisations led by Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ people, women, and people of colour
• Emerging organisations centring social justice
• Civic engagement and nonpartisan electoral advocacy
• Immigrant rights and environmental justice
• Movements addressing systemic change

What They Don't Fund

• Direct services
• Individuals
• Capital campaigns
• Research studies
• Conferences/events
• Organisations outside NYC
• Organisations not using community organising approaches

Governance and Leadership

President: Rickke Mananzala

The foundation emphasises trust-based philanthropy, with leadership stating: "We support community-led initiatives and trust grassroots organisations to lead the way because community organising and social movements have been the driving force behind lasting change."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through the Grant Interface online portal. The foundation provides comprehensive resources including application questions, slides, webinar recordings, and a portal guide. Only one grant cycle is offered in 2026, with applications due March 2nd.

Decision Timeline

• March 2nd: Applications due
• Within 2 weeks of deadline: Initial response to applicants
• June: Board meeting for final decisions
• July: Approved grants processed and funds disbursed

Success Rates

The foundation receives hundreds of requests per cycle but typically makes only around 5 new grants, indicating a highly competitive success rate of approximately 2-3%.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies was not specified in available materials.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding patterns and stated priorities:

• Demonstrate grassroots leadership: Organisations must be authentically led by the communities they serve, particularly Black, Indigenous, people of colour, trans/non-binary people, and women
• Focus on systemic change: Projects should address root causes rather than symptoms, using community organising and advocacy rather than direct services
• Show intersectional approach: Successful applicants often work at the intersection of multiple justice issues (racial, economic, gender, climate)
• Emphasise power-building: Applications should clearly articulate how the work builds community power and advances social movements
• Highlight emerging status: The foundation specifically prioritises emerging organisations and overlooked constituencies
• NYC-specific impact: All work must directly benefit New York City communities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Extremely competitive with only ~5 new grants awarded from hundreds of applications
• Strong preference for emerging organisations led by marginalised communities
• Must use community organising approach, not direct services
• Multi-year funding available for successful applicants (up to 5 years for emerging groups)
• Single annual application cycle with March deadline
• Foundation practises trust-based philanthropy with flexible, general operating support
• Complementary capacity building support available beyond financial grants

References

• New York Foundation Official Website (https://nyf.org) - Accessed December 2025
• New York Foundation Grant Application Page (https://nyf.org/apply) - Accessed December 2025
• New York Foundation Grantees Directory (https://nyf.org/grantees) - Accessed December 2025
• GuideStar Profile for New York Foundation EIN 13-5626345 (https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-5626345) - Accessed December 2025
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/135626345) - Form 990-PF Data