We are on a mission to spark lasting social change, mobilizing people, capital and expertise for a fair and just Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Community Foundation’s grantmaking is shaped by general operating support and fiscal sponsorship for Brooklyn-serving organizations, with a clear emphasis on racial justice, community resources, and neighborhood-based groups. In the recent grants list, Documented Ltd received multiple awards in 2023, including $250,000, $173,578, and two additional $150,000 grants, showing repeated support for a single fiscal sponsor. The foundation also backed Brooklyn organizations with large awards such as $250,000 to Graham Windham and $200,000 to NYC Kids Rise, alongside a $135,000 grant to Packer Collegiate Institute. Its active programs show a mix of unrestricted support and targeted initiatives, including microgrants for groups with budgets under $100,000, a Brooklyn Org Spark Prize that awards five $100,000 unrestricted prizes, and harm-reduction action grants for Brooklyn-based nonprofits. The portfolio includes both open application streams and invite-only or partner-based programs, reflecting a foundation that combines broad local support with named initiatives tied to specific community needs.
Brooklyn Community Foundation funds a wide mix of issue areas, but several themes appear repeatedly in the active programs. For harm reduction and addiction services, the Wellness and Recovery Action Grants support Brooklyn-based nonprofit groups providing Narcan distribution and training, overdose prevention kits, fentanyl testing strips, and substance use services. In energy equity, the Brooklyn Energy Initiative supports community-designed solutions through two streams: The Future of Energy, which covers workforce and STEM pathways, and The Future of Homes, which focuses on energy-burdened households and energy navigation. Education appears in the Save for College Program, which provided seed investments to college savings accounts for NYC first graders, including School District 18. The foundation also uses prizes and unrestricted support to advance social justice work in Brooklyn through the Brooklyn Org Spark Prize and the Just Brooklyn Prize.
Typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $33,000 at the median, and $45,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows several larger awards, but the broader pattern includes many operating-support grants and microgrants. Recipients can appear more than once across years: Nest received grants in both 2023 and 2024, and John Jay College Foundation did as well. The foundation is classified as a mixed community foundation, and its active programs include both year-round unsolicited applications and program streams that are not open to unsolicited requests. It also uses fiscal sponsorship as part of its grantmaking structure.
$9.4M
$142M
$39.3M
$24.4M
Most grants fall between $10K and $45K, with a median of $33K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$33K
75th Percentile
$45K
NICOLE G EPPS
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Brooklyn Community Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 793 | $34.9M | 99.9% |
| 2 | Puerto Rico |
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Grantmaking is local, with 81% of grants going to recipients in New York. Brooklyn and New York City addresses appear often in the recent grants list, including Brooklyn, Long Island City, and New York. Outside New York, the recent grants list includes recipients in Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Kansas City, MO; San Francisco, CA; Minneapolis, MN; and Arlington, VA. The recipient country distribution is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with 700 grants in the United States and one in RQ.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 1 |
| $10K |
0.1% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Current and upcoming funding from Brooklyn Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: All eligible Brooklyn-serving organizations are invited to apply for general operating support.
Deadline: Next cycle due September 30, 2026.
Who can apply: All eligible Brooklyn-serving organizations (full eligibility details on the BKO funding page).
Deadline: Rolling acceptance; next decision cycles noted (next cycle due September 30, 2026; another decision date referenced April 15, 2026).
Who can apply: Community and neighborhood-based groups with budgets under $100,000; organizations not yet eligible for Strategic Grants or other prizes due to budget requirements.
Deadline: Next cycle due November 30, 2026.
Who can apply: Brooklyn-serving organizations; full eligibility details on the program page.
Deadline: Rolling acceptance; next funding decision deadline April 15, 2026.
Who can apply: Each year, five nonprofits are selected. The program is for nonprofits aligned with Brooklyn Org's mission to spark change for a fair and just Brooklyn.
Deadline: Apply by May 15th each year; the page specifically references the 2027 Brooklyn Org Spark Prize.
Who can apply: Eligibility requirements will be released with the application when it opens; funding is for projects aligned with community priorities in Sunset Park.
Deadline: Application opens Fall 2026; grants announced Winter 2027.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YOUTH DESIGN CENTER | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DRIVE CHANGE INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POWER OF TWO | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POWER OF TWO | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUTH DESIGN CENTER | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DRIVE CHANGE INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEIGHBORS IN ACTION A PROJECT OF JUSTICE INNOVATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SURE WE CAN INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEIGHBORS IN ACTION A PROJECT OF JUSTICE INNOVATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SURE WE CAN INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VOCAL-NY | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE FAMILY CENTER INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY COUNSELING AND MEDIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | FISCAL SPONSORS |
| AFTER HOURS PROJECT | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | FISCAL SPONSORS |
| THE ALI FORNEY CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GLOBAL TRAUMA RESEARCH | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES-STAY'N OUT | NEW YORK, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES-STAY'N OUT | NEW YORK, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LANTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES | NEW YORK, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE ALI FORNEY CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BROOKLYN COMMUNITY HOUSING SERVICES INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY COUNSELING AND MEDIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | FISCAL SPONSORS |
| GLOBAL TRAUMA RESEARCH | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VOCAL-NY | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOUSING SOLUTIONS | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | FISCAL SPONSORS |
| THE FAMILY CENTER INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AFTER HOURS PROJECT | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | FISCAL SPONSORS |
| BROOKLYN COMMUNITY HOUSING SERVICES INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOUSING SOLUTIONS | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | FISCAL SPONSORS |
| LANTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES | NEW YORK, NY | $72,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUSLIM COMMUNITY NETWORK | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| MIXTECA ORGANIZATION INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE BLACK INSTITUTE | BROOKLYN, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| RESEARCH FOUNDATION CUNY CENTER FOR LAW AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| THE BLACK INSTITUTE | BROOKLYN, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| MIXTECA ORGANIZATION INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VOCAL-NY | BROOKLYN, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| INTEGRATENYC | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK BROOKLYN MOVEMENT CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| MUSLIM COMMUNITY NETWORK | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| GIRLS FOR GENDER EQUITY INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK BROOKLYN MOVEMENT CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VOCAL-NY | BROOKLYN, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK BROOKLYN MOVEMENT CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK BROOKLYN MOVEMENT CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTEGRATENYC | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| RESEARCH FOUNDATION CUNY CENTER FOR LAW AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| GIRLS FOR GENDER EQUITY INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| CABS HOME ATTENDANTS SERVICE INC DBA CABS HEALTH NETWORK | BROOKLYN, NY | $45,000 | 2025 | DAF |
| HEIGHTS AND HILLS | BROOKLYN, NY | $45,000 | 2025 | DAF |
GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY COUNSELING AND MEDIATION
$72,500FISCAL SPONSORS
AFTER HOURS PROJECT
$72,500FISCAL SPONSORS
GLOBAL TRAUMA RESEARCH
$72,500GENERAL SUPPORT
NEW YORK THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES-STAY'N OUT
$72,500GENERAL SUPPORT
NEW YORK THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES-STAY'N OUT
$72,500GENERAL SUPPORT
LANTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES
$72,500GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY COUNSELING AND MEDIATION
$72,500FISCAL SPONSORS
GLOBAL TRAUMA RESEARCH
$72,500GENERAL SUPPORT
AFTER HOURS PROJECT
$72,500FISCAL SPONSORS
LANTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES
$72,500GENERAL SUPPORT
THE BLACK INSTITUTE
$70,000DAF
THE BLACK INSTITUTE
$70,000DAF
INTEGRATENYC
$70,000DAF
INTEGRATENYC
$70,000DAF
CABS HOME ATTENDANTS SERVICE INC DBA CABS HEALTH NETWORK
$45,000DAF
HEIGHTS AND HILLS
$45,000DAF
