New York Foundation

New York Foundation. Established in 1909, it is one of the oldest grantmaking foundations in the United States. Founded with a bequest from Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, it has evolved from a traditional charity into a pioneering supporter of grassroots social change. The foundation is renowned for its long-term, trust-based funding of community organizing and advocacy efforts across New York City.

History

The foundation was created through the will of Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, widow of financier Russell Sage, who amassed a fortune through railroads and Wall Street. Its early years under first president Robert W. de Forest, a colleague of John D. Rockefeller Jr., focused on conventional charities like settlement houses including the Henry Street Settlement. A significant early relationship was with the New York School of Philanthropy, now the Columbia University School of Social Work. The Great Depression saw it support emergency relief efforts, collaborating with organizations like the Emergency Relief Bureau. A major philosophical shift began in the 1960s under executive director Harriet R. Michel, moving focus toward civil rights and empowering marginalized communities. This era included early support for groups like the Young Lords and the Black Panther Party's community programs. The late 20th century solidified its identity as a "foundation for the grassroots," championing environmental justice in neighborhoods like West Harlem and immigrant rights advocacy across Brooklyn and Queens.

Programs and initiatives

Core grantmaking is dedicated to strengthening community organizing and progressive advocacy. A flagship initiative is the **Next Generation Leadership Program**, which nurtures emerging activists from groups like Make the Road New York and VOCAL-NY. The foundation runs a **Special Projects Fund** for rapid response to crises, such as supporting mutual aid networks during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. It provides critical multi-year general operating support to organizations fighting for housing justice, such as the Metropolitan Council on Housing and the Fifth Avenue Committee. Other key areas include funding workers' rights centers like the Worker Justice Center of New York and supporting arts activism through partnerships with entities like the Laundromat Project. The foundation also convenes grantees and partners for strategy sessions on issues from police reform to climate resilience.

Governance and leadership

Governed by a board of trustees, historically including notable figures like Henry Bruère and Oscar S. Straus. Recent boards have included leaders from academia, such as former Barnard College president Debora Spar, and community advocates like Michele de la Uz of the Fifth Avenue Committee. Day-to-day operations are led by an executive director, a role held for over two decades by Madeline Lee, formerly of the North Star Fund. The staff consists of program officers with deep roots in New York City activism, often with backgrounds in organizations like the New York Immigration Coalition or the Urban Justice Center. The foundation maintains a collaborative relationship with its peer funders, including the Northwest Area Foundation and the Surdna Foundation, on aligned initiatives.

Financials and grantmaking

With an endowment of approximately $150 million, it awards between $6-7 million in grants annually. It typically makes 80-100 grants per year, predominantly ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, with a focus on multi-year commitments. Grantees are primarily small to mid-size organizations with annual budgets under $2 million, such as the CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities and the Justice Committee. Financial operations are managed in partnership with investment firms like Morgan Stanley and U.S. Trust, with an investment committee overseeing the portfolio. The foundation files a Form 990-PF with the Internal Revenue Service, and its grants list is publicly accessible. It practices mission-related investing, aligning a portion of its endowment with its social justice goals.

Impact and recognition

Widely recognized as a cornerstone funder of New York's social justice infrastructure. Its grantees have been instrumental in major policy victories, including the passage of the New York State DREAM Act and the repeal of stop-and-frisk policies. Alumni of its leadership programs hold key positions in city government, such as within the New York City Council and the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. The foundation received the **National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy's** "**Grantmaking for the Common Good**" award for its unwavering support of grassroots power-building. Its model of flexible, long-term funding is cited as a best practice by organizations like the National Center for Family Philanthropy and the Philanthropy Roundtable. The foundation's legacy is evident in the sustained strength of New York's community organizing ecosystem, influencing broader philanthropic practice toward trust-based approaches.

Category:Foundations based in New York City Category:Philanthropic organizations established in 1909 Category:Grant-making foundations in the United States