What kinds of organizations does Brooklyn Community Foundation support?
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored projects or initiatives, with a strong emphasis on general operating funding, fiscal sponsorship services, and unrestricted support. Its active programs also include microgrants for community- and neighborhood-based groups with budgets under $100,000.
Does Brooklyn Community Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Yes, several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including Wellness and Recovery Action Grants, Brooklyn Org Spark Prize, Microgrants, General BKO Funding, and General Operating Support. The Brooklyn Energy Initiative, by contrast, does not accept unsolicited applications.
What is the typical grant size?
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $33,000 at the median, and $45,000 at the 75th percentile. Some active programs are smaller, such as microgrants up to $10,000, while the Brooklyn Org Spark Prize awards $100,000 unrestricted grants.
What are Brooklyn Community Foundation’s main focus areas?
Its focus areas include Families, Youth, Immigrants, Older Adults, Civil Rights, Justice Reform, Civic Engagement, Environmental Justice, Housing, Health & Well-Being, Jobs & Economic Opportunity, and Arts & Culture. Active programs add targeted work in harm reduction, energy equity, education savings, and social justice.
How local is the grantmaking?
The foundation’s giving is local, and 81% of grants go to recipients in New York. The recent grants list also shows Brooklyn, New York City, and nearby New York recipients, along with a smaller number of awards elsewhere in the U.S.
