We are a social justice fund that supports grassroots organizing led by communities of color building power in New York City and the Hudson Valley; we raise money and make grants to support racial, gender and economic justice.
North Star Fund Inc backs grassroots organizations that build power in New York City and the Hudson Valley, with a clear emphasis on communities of color and racial, gender, and economic justice. Its recent grant record shows large coalition-level support alongside many general operating awards, including $200,000 to Make the Road New York for the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition and $200,000 to Parole Preparation Project for the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice Coalition. The foundation also supports citywide issue coalitions, such as transportation equity, housing, food policy, and healthcare coverage, while keeping a strong focus on organizing as the primary strategy. The funder’s program areas point to a particular style of philanthropy: long-term support for local advocacy groups, targeted funding for Black-led organizing, and responsive grants when campaigns face urgent moments. It also uses structured grant programs for New York City and Hudson Valley groups, along with specialized funds for statewide power-building and participatory grantmaking in NYC. Across its recent awards, the foundation appears to favor organizations that work in coalition and that connect policy change to community-led organizing.
In worker-rights advocacy, North Star Fund Inc gave $200,000 to Make the Road New York for the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition, reflecting support for excluded workers. In parole justice, it awarded $200,000 to Parole Preparation Project for the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice Coalition, linking its grantmaking to decarceration and parole advocacy. The foundation also funds transportation, housing, and food policy work through named coalitions. Riders Alliance received $100,000 for the New Yorkers for Transportation Equity Coalition, Vocal-ny received $100,000 for the Upstate Downstate Housing Association Coalition, and Community Food Advocates received $100,000 for the Good Food Purchasing NY Coalition. Another $100,000 grant to Make the Road New York supported the Coverage for All Coalition, showing an interest in healthcare coverage advocacy as well.
North Star Fund Inc’s typical grant size is tightly clustered: the 25th percentile is $20,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $30,000. The recent grants list also shows repeated support to some organizations across different years, including a 2024 award to For the Many and multiple 2025 awards to organizations such as Make the Road New York and Urban Justice Center. It is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, makes no program-related investments, and supports organizations rather than individuals. Application access varies by program: Rapid Response Grants accept unsolicited requests, while several other program lines do not.
$10.3M
$22.5M
$8.3M
$17M
Most grants fall between $20K and $30K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$30K
JENNIFER CHING
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North Star Fund Inc gives locally, with 93% of grants going to recipients in New York. New York City appears frequently, including Brooklyn, Bronx, Flushing, Jackson Heights, Corona, South Ozone Park, and New York itself. Hudson Valley communities also appear in the grant record, including Kingston and Ithaca, while Albany shows up in state-level coalition work. Outside New York, the recent list includes a single Texas recipient, Forest Dale in Dallas, alongside New York-based organizations.
It funds grassroots organizing tied to racial, gender, and economic justice in New York City and the Hudson Valley. The grantmaking includes general operating support, coalition-based advocacy, and dedicated programs for Black-led organizing, community safety, housing, food policy, transportation equity, and parole justice.
The typical award is relatively consistent: the 25th percentile is $20,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $30,000. The recent grant list also includes larger coalition awards, such as several grants of $100,000 and $200,000.
Yes, but only through some programs. Rapid Response Grants accept unsolicited requests, and the Community Funding Committee (CFC) — NYC also accepts unsolicited applications. Several other programs, including Hudson Valley Grants and NYC Organizing Grants, do not.
Its giving is local, centered on New York City and the Hudson Valley. The recipient distribution shows 93% of grants going to New York-based organizations, and the top state by grant count is New York.
The recent record shows recurring support for some organizations and coalitions across multiple years. For example, For the Many appears in 2024, while Make the Road New York and Urban Justice Center appear again in 2025, alongside a mix of general operating and coalition grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from North Star Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Open to new and current grantees. Must meet North Star Fund's community organizing and technical criteria. No budget limit for Rapid Response grants. An organization can receive one Rapid Response grant in a 12-month period.
Deadline: Rolling deadline; apply any time.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $6,983,860 | 2026 | DONOR ADVISED GRANTMAKING FOR CORE PROGRAMS |
| GUARDIANS OF FLUSHING BAY | WOODSIDE, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY AID & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | DECATUR, GA | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SYLVIA RIVERA LAW PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER OF ALBANY | ALBANY, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST HARLEM EL BARRIO COMMUNITY LAND TRUST | NEW YORK, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOOPS4KIDS | CLIFTON PARK, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MEKONG NYC | BRONX, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LA COLMENA | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GLLTS | QUEENS, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMON DEFENSE EDUCATION FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALLIED MEDIA PROJECTS | DETROIT, MI | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COOPER SQUARE COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER | MAMARONECK, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CARROLL GARDENS ASSOCIATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CASA COMMUNITY ACTION FOR SAFE APARTMENTS NEW SETTLEMENT | BRONX, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK COMMUNITY TRUST | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2026 | A ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP IN THE FUND FOR NEW CITIZENS COLLABORATIVE |
| NEW YORKERS DEFENDING DEMOCRACY | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | THE NON-PARTISAN SOCIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES OF THE C4 RELATED TO THE NYC CHARTER REVISION AWARENESS CAMPAIGN |
| TEACHERS UNITE | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FORGOTTEN FOODS | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RISE UP KINGSTON | KINGSTON, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNITED WOMEN OF THE HORN | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FLOSSY ORGANIZATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER OF ALBANY | ALBANY, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF JUDSON (DBA JUDSON COMMONS) | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LA BREGA Y FUERZA | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOMEN'S COMMUNITY JUSTICE ASSOCIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ROCKAWAYS NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS | ARVERNE, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTH BROOKLYN SANCTUARY | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST CENTRAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOMEN'S COMMUNITY JUSTICE ASSOCIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALTERNATIVE TO ECONOMIC AND HOUSING DISPLACEMENT | ALBANY, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSION EDGE | COVINA, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN CENTRAL ASIAN ASSOCIATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNDOCUMENTED WOMEN'S FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER OF ALBANY | ALBANY, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY RISING PROJECT | TROY, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST NEW YORK COMMUNITY LAND TRUST | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| 914 UNITED | YONKERS, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SULLIVAN ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT | HURLEYVILLE, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FAITH IN NEW YORK | CORONA, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ECOLOGICAL CITIZEN'S PROJECT | GARRISON, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUDSON CATSKILL HOUSING COALITION | HUDSON, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER | GARDEN CITY, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALLIANCE OF FAMILIES FOR JUSTICE | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EARTH ARTS INITIATIVES | CATSKILL, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY RISING PROJECT | TROY, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FISCAL SPONSORSHIP ALLIES | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER OF ALBANY | ALBANY, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WEST BRANCH COMMONS | DELANCEY, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
GUARDIANS OF FLUSHING BAY
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER OF ALBANY
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EAST HARLEM EL BARRIO COMMUNITY LAND TRUST
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOOPS4KIDS
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GLLTS
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COOPER SQUARE COMMITTEE
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
A ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP IN THE FUND FOR NEW CITIZENS COLLABORATIVE
NEW YORKERS DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
$25,000THE NON-PARTISAN SOCIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES OF THE C4 RELATED TO THE NYC CHARTER REVISION AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
TEACHERS UNITE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FORGOTTEN FOODS
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RISE UP KINGSTON
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNITED WOMEN OF THE HORN
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FLOSSY ORGANIZATION
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER OF ALBANY
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF JUDSON (DBA JUDSON COMMONS)
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LA BREGA Y FUERZA
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROCKAWAYS NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOUTH BROOKLYN SANCTUARY
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIRST CENTRAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ALTERNATIVE TO ECONOMIC AND HOUSING DISPLACEMENT
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN CENTRAL ASIAN ASSOCIATION
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNDOCUMENTED WOMEN'S FUND
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER OF ALBANY
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY RISING PROJECT
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
914 UNITED
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SULLIVAN ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ECOLOGICAL CITIZEN'S PROJECT
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HUDSON CATSKILL HOUSING COALITION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EARTH ARTS INITIATIVES
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY RISING PROJECT
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER OF ALBANY
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WEST BRANCH COMMONS
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
