The Ford Foundation’s New York City Good Neighbor Committee offers grant opportunities aimed at strengthening local organizations that align with the foundation’s mission. This funding supports community-based groups working within New York City in three key areas: arts and culture, education, and human services. The committee focuses on initiatives that address inequality, create opportunities, and improve the quality of life for marginalized populations including communities of color, women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled people, and those with low socioeconomic status.
Eligible applicants must be based in New York City and primarily serve local communities within its five boroughs. Organizations should have 501(c)(3) status or partner with a fiscal sponsor that holds this designation. Applicants must work within one of the committee’s three priority areas and not currently receive funding from other Ford Foundation programs. Additionally, organizations need to be led by or accountable to the communities they serve.
Grants range from $10,000 to $100,000 and are typically unrestricted to allow flexibility in how funds are used. The grants generally last for one year. Because of limited resources, only 10-15 organizations are selected annually. The committee values transparency, trust-based relationships, and aims to minimize administrative burdens on grantees.
This opportunity also allows Ford Foundation staff who are not grantmakers to engage directly with community work and better understand the foundation’s mission in practice. The approach emphasizes effective grantmaking practices rooted in the foundation’s values.
If your organization is committed to advancing equity through arts and culture, education, or human services within New York City’s diverse communities, this grant could provide meaningful support for your efforts. For more detailed information about eligibility requirements and application procedures, visit the Ford Foundation website before the September 30th deadline.
