October 2012

Dear Friend,

We realize this doesn’t look like your average annual report—but we’re not your average foundation.

Three years ago, when we launched the first-ever foundation for Brooklyn, we set out to be a new force for good within our great borough. To be—not a foundation on a hill—but one on the block, in the community garden, and along the boardwalk.

We wanted to help you see Brooklyn in a new light: to inspire you with the indispensible work of our borough’s nonprofit community; to engage you with vital information and data on our neighborhoods; and to provide a channel through which you could have the biggest impact locally with your charitable giving.

Simply, we wanted to give every Brooklynite the chance to be a philanthropist.

Below, you will find a new illustration by Clinton Hill artist Claudia Pearson, depicting some of the essential work you have contributed to as a donor, a volunteer, or a community partner. Additionally, we have created a dynamic infographic showing “A Year of Doing Good in Brooklyn”—12 months of new grants, new multi-year initiatives, and new funds created by Brooklynites like you.

This is a snapshot of giving in Brooklyn, and just a glimpse of what we can do if more of us work together to give back, get invested, and generate change across our communities.

With so much talent, creative energy, and new resources, this certainly is the most exciting time to live in Brooklyn. We look forward to the years to come, and the many ways we all will DO GOOD RIGHT HERE.

Keep up the good work!

Marilyn Gelber
President, Brooklyn Community Foundation
 

Click images to enlarge: