Community Improvement Grants in New York

Explore verified institutional foundations, typical award distributions, and active grantmakers supporting community programs across New York.

Total Capital Deployed
$1.62B

Across 11,921 verified foundation awards

Typical Grant Size
$136,208

Median award for community in New York

Open to New Applicants
47%

Of active community foundations accept unsolicited proposals

Community Improvement Grant Funding Landscape in New York

Nonprofits focused on Community Improvement in New York received $1.62B across 11,921 verified foundation grants over recent tax filings. The typical (median) community grant in New York is $136,208, though awards range from smaller $5,000–$25,000 community programming grants up to multi-million-dollar institutional and endowment commitments.

Major New York funders actively supporting community initiatives include The Ford Foundation, The Andrew W Mellon Foundation, Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston INC, alongside national foundations funding New York organizations, youth initiatives, and community programs. Of the active institutional grantmakers funding community in New York, 47% accept unsolicited grant proposals from new applicants, offering immediate funding opportunities for growing 501(c)(3) organizations.

Top Funded Cities in New YorkBy Total Capital
New York200,826 grants awarded
$20.92B
Brooklyn57,932 grants awarded
$3.03B
Buffalo8,413 grants awarded
$1.01B
Albany6,016 grants awarded
$781.5M
Bronx6,448 grants awarded
$443.9M
Grant Size Distribution TiersBy Grant Count
Grassroots & Seed (<$25,000)76%
Ideal for emerging nonprofits, project pilots, and local programming
Mid-Tier & Capacity ($25K – $100K)14%
Core operational funding, staff expansion, and multi-year programs
Major Endowments ($100,000+)9%
Capital campaigns, statewide initiatives, and major institutional grants
Top Institutional Foundations Funding Community Improvement in New YorkRanked by annual charitable capital distribution • Form 990-PF & Community Foundations
FoundationHeadquartersAnnual GivingTypical GrantApplication StatusAction
The Ford Foundation
EIN: 131684331
New York, NY$844.7M$100KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
EIN: 131879954
New York, NY$555M$500KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston INC
EIN: 042103559
Boston, MA$273.6M$27KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Boston Foundation INC
EIN: 042104021
Boston, MA$228.4M$25KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The San Francisco Foundation
EIN: 010679337
San Francisco, CA$218.4M$26KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Carnegie Corporation of New York
EIN: 131628151
New York, NY$174.4M$225KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The Skoll Foundation
EIN: 113659133
Palo Alto, CA$44.9M$100KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Seedlings Foundation
EIN: 043600502
Branford, CT$28.3M$150KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The Heckscher Foundation for Children
EIN: 131820170
New York, NY$14.7M$87KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Altman Foundation
EIN: 131623879
New York, NY$12.9M$50KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The Hassenfeld Family Foundation
EIN: 056015373
Providence, RI$8.4M$110KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Ndc Housing & Economic Development
EIN: 112933129
New York, NY$5.6M$66KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Brooklyn Community Foundation
EIN: 113422729
Brooklyn, NY$4.7M$45KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Greater Rochester Enterprise
EIN: 100000085
Rochester, NY$1.5M$1.5MAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Gurwin Jewish Geriatric Foundation INC
EIN: 113109869
Commack, NY$191K$169KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Showing verified grantmakers • Commercial DAFs & university endowments excludedView all in New York directory →

Frequently Asked Questions About Community Improvement Grants in New York

How much grant funding is available for community in New York?

Over $1.62B has been deployed across 11,921 verified foundation grants in New York according to recent Form 990-PF and 990 filings.

What is the typical community grant size in New York?

The median grant award is approximately $136,208. However, local grassroots initiatives often receive $5,000–$25,000, while regional endowments can exceed $250,000+.

Which foundations in New York accept unsolicited proposals?

Approximately 47% of verified institutional grantmakers funding community in New York accept unsolicited applications without a pre-existing relationship.

How can my nonprofit find foundations that match our mission?

Use NPO Grant to analyze peer award ledgers in New York, identify foundations with active giving history in your city, and contact verified program officers directly.