Public & Societal Benefit Grants in New York

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

Total Capital Deployed
$2.25B

Across 5,540 verified foundation awards

Typical Grant Size
$405,647

Median award for public benefit in New York

Open to New Applicants
53%

Of active public benefit foundations accept unsolicited proposals

Public & Societal Benefit Grant Funding Landscape in New York

Nonprofits focused on Public & Societal Benefit in New York received $2.25B across 5,540 verified foundation grants over recent tax filings. The typical (median) public benefit grant in New York is $405,647, 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 public benefit 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 public benefit in New York, 53% 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 York198,256 grants awarded
$21.75B
Brooklyn56,935 grants awarded
$2.99B
Buffalo8,173 grants awarded
$987.4M
Albany6,127 grants awarded
$806.6M
Bronx6,176 grants awarded
$434.6M
Grant Size Distribution TiersBy Grant Count
Grassroots & Seed (<$25,000)77%
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 Public & Societal Benefit 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 →
Charter Fund INC
EIN: 050620063
Denver, CO$143.5M$250KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Alfred P Sloan Foundation
EIN: 131623877
New York, NY$89M$100KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The Klarman Family Foundation
EIN: 043105768
Boston, MA$82.2M$100KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Rockefeller Brothers Fund INC
EIN: 131760106
New York, NY$60.4M$60KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Proteus Fund INC
EIN: 043243004
Waltham, MA$21.6M$50KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Third Sector New England INC
EIN: 042261109
Boston, MA$12.5M$84KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Naacp Empowerment Programs INC
EIN: 131084135
Baltimore, MD$7.4M$25KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The Angell Foundation
EIN: 010789717
Los Angeles, CA$6.2M$10KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Jewish Council for Public Affairs INC
EIN: 131624104
New York, NY$2.3M$2.3MAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Showing verified grantmakers • Commercial DAFs & university endowments excludedView all in New York directory →

Frequently Asked Questions About Public & Societal Benefit Grants in New York

How much grant funding is available for public benefit in New York?

Over $2.25B has been deployed across 5,540 verified foundation grants in New York according to recent Form 990-PF and 990 filings.

What is the typical public benefit grant size in New York?

The median grant award is approximately $405,647. 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 53% of verified institutional grantmakers funding public benefit 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.