Introducing Collaborative Impact Grants

CitizensNYC is known around New York as the city's largest and most well-connected micro-granting organization. We’ve spent decades working with leaders around New York to build up their communities. But it’s not the only thing we do. 

We’re proud that we’re known as partners for our grantees. But we’re also facilitators. We bring people together. 

This summer, CitizensNYC launched an exciting new program, the Collaborative Impact Grant, open exclusively to our 2023 grantee partners. This pilot program provides one $10,000 grant per borough to groups of three grantees, enabling them to develop and implement group projects that foster community building, enhance local leadership, and strengthen partnerships. These projects were developed by our grantees, in partnership with one another, and with our support. 

The Collaborative Impact Grant is more than a funding opportunity; it’s a reflection of CitizensNYC’s commitment to building capacity and supporting our grantees at every step. While our microgrants have always supported grassroots projects, this new program emphasizes the power of partnership and collaboration, helping grantees to create a lasting impact on their neighborhoods. By working together, grantees bring their unique strengths and expertise, addressing community needs with a unified approach that boosts civic engagement, local wealth, and community health. 

As a pilot initiative, the Collaborative Impact Grant represents an exciting new chapter for CitizensNYC. We are invested in the growth of these projects, and we look forward to watching each of them flourish over the coming year. Our role as a capacity-building organization is to empower community leaders as they turn their visions into reality, and these projects are a testament to what’s possible when people come together to create positive change. 

We’re thrilled to announce the five winning collaborations—one from each borough—who, together, exemplify the power of collective action. 

The Tompkins Square Park Migrant Outreach Program 

The Tompkins Square Park Migrant Outreach Program brings together Friends of Tompkins Square Park, S'MAC, and Loisaida Realty to support migrants in the East Village. This initiative will both provide recently arrived New Yorkers with job training opportunities and contribute to the stewardship and improvement of a local park. Together, the partnering organizations are coming together to offer community support, restaurant worker training, and job search assistance, while also maintaining the park as a welcoming space for the community.

The Canarsie Third Space Initiative 

The Canarsie Third Space Initiative unites PaleFO Cinema, The Flossy Organization, Canarsie Merchants Association, and Bink International Charity Inc. to revitalize Canarsie’s commercial areas through arts, advocacy, and environmental education. This project creates a floral-themed mural movie screen and a mobile community hub for arts programming, health workshops, and advocacy training. Each partner contributes uniquely, from engaging youth volunteers to hosting screenings and planting gardens, fostering a vibrant space that empowers residents and strengthens community bonds. 

The Shoreline Community Clean Up Station 

The Shoreline Community Clean Up Station project is a collaboration between The Garden by the Bay, Shoreline Stewards of Rockaway, Rockaway Civic Association, and Sonder School of Music to improve Rockaway’s shorelines. Together, they will set up Clean Up Stations along the coastline, providing tools for trash collection and promoting environmental education. With activities like live music and community events, this initiative unites residents and visitors to foster a cleaner environment, enhancing both ecological health and community spaces across the Rockaways. 

The Black and Brown Transgender Empowerment Initiative 

The Black and Brown Transgender Empowerment Initiative is a partnership between Black Accessory Designers Alliance, North Node Therapy, and James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center, aimed at supporting NYC’s Black and Brown transgender community. This initiative addresses mental health needs, access to healthy meals, and provides entrepreneurial education. By combining Black Accessory Designers Alliance’s focus on entrepreneurship, North Node Therapy’s mental health services, and James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center’s holistic health programming, they create a supportive, empowering approach for personal and professional success. 

OleMa's Generational Recipes 

OleMa's Generational Recipes unites Richmond Hood Co., Roza Productions, and Canvas Institute to celebrate African culinary traditions on Staten Island. This project focuses on promoting healthier eating through workshops where youth learn to prepare traditional dishes using fresh ingredients. Richmond Hood Co. supports logistics, Roza Productions connects with African grandmothers, and Canvas Institute’s youth document the experience through film. The project will culminate in an exhibition at Canvas Institute, fostering intergenerational connections and celebrating cultural diversity. We want to give special thanks to the Staten Island Foundation, whose longtime support of our grantee partners in the borough helped make this project possible.