How to Apply

To Whom Do You Make Grants?

We make grants primarily to nonprofit organizations located in the five boroughs of New York City. Our suburban divisions handle grants on Long Island and in Westchester. Grants for programs outside our area are generally from funds designated for specific charities or have been made at the suggestion of donors.

When Can I Apply?

We have no specific submission deadlines. Our board reviews grants five times annually, and grant applications are accepted throughout the year.

How Do I Apply?

Applicants should begin by reading our Guidelines for Grant Applicants and one or more of the four program area descriptions. If, after reading these materials, you believe that one of your proposed projects meets our criteria, you may download our Proposal Coversheet as a document or call our receptionist at (212) 686-0010 to receive one. Then follow the application checklist below.

Mail your application to:

Mary Gentile
The New York Community Trust
909 Third Avenue 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10022

Please submit all your written materials before calling to discuss your ideas. We will acknowledge your application within two weeks of its receipt. If you do not hear from us within three months, or if you have questions, please call Mary Gentile at (212) 686-0010, x554. Please note that we do not accept applications by e-mail.

Application Checklist

1. A cover letter, on your letterhead, signed by your director. 
2. A completed New York Community Trust Proposal Coversheet 
3. A proposal (no more than ten pages) that includes:
• Agency background (mission, major activities, and credentials for carrying out project)
• Project description: Brief statement of problem to be addressed 
• Goals and objectives
• Who is served
• Project activities 
• Expected outcome 
• Staff (append their resumes) 
• Plan for measuring project results
• Project budget (expenses & income) 
4. Information about your organization:
   • Agency operating budget 
   • A list of the Board of Directors
   • Latest audited financial statement, or if not available, the Form 990 
   • Current annual report (if available) 
   • Affirmative action policy
   • Note: Arts groups may submit cultural data project profiles in lieu of agency's latest audited financial statements and annual report. However, project budgets and current year agency operating budgets are still required.
     
     

We Do Not Fund. . .

We do not make grants to individuals and rarely for endowments, building campaigns, deficit financing, films, general operating support, or religious purposes.

When You Can Expect to Hear Back

We will let you know within two weeks that we have received your material. During the review process, Trust program staff will analyze your proposal, determine if and how it fits into our grantmaking program, and check to see if there is adequate money available in an appropriate fund. We will get in touch with you if we have further questions or need more information.

The Trust welcomes your application, but because we cannot possibly fund every one of the hundreds of proposals that come to our attention, we urge you to send yours to several other funders as well.