Community foundations are tax-exempt charitable organizations created by the people of a particular community to benefit the people of that particular community. In this case, Brooklyn.

No.  The first community foundation in the United States was established in 1914, and within five years, a movement started. Today, there are more than 700 community foundations nationwide, there has never been a community foundation focused exclusively on Brooklyn.
 

We are a philanthropic, responsive, creative and community-oriented organization devoted to helping nonprofit groups realize their visions.

Our mission is to improve the lives of people in Brooklyn by strengthening communities though local giving, grantmaking and community service.

Read more about our mission and values.

 

We aim to stimulate, broaden and diversify giving in the borough. There are several compelling reasons to donate to the Brooklyn Community Foundation:

-    Often the organizations that need the funds do not know whom to ask. The Brooklyn Community Foundation knows those groups.
-    We understand the borough and its needs: our grants reflect the community’s ongoing and ever-changing issues.
-    There are no administrative fees. Your donation goes entirely to the field.

Yes, Brooklyn Community Foundation is a registered 501(c )(3) nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
 

Our current board members are listed HERE
 

New board members are selected by the current board of directors.  Board members may serve for up to two consecutive three-year terms.   The board selects new members who will help the foundation broadly represent the entire community.  Board members are chosen for their experience, knowledge, and dedication to building community in Brooklyn. 

Current board members bring to the foundation a wide range of expertise, including backgrounds in finance, business, education, government, law, and nonprofit operations. 
 

The Brooklyn Community Foundation started with a focus on our five fields of Interest funds (see Values and Our Grants for details). We are exploring the feasibility and desirability of establishing donor-advised funds in the future.
 

The Brooklyn Community Foundation raises funds from individuals, corporations, other foundations and government agencies that want to work collaboratively at the local level. It began with a generous gift from the Independence Community Foundation; that gift, supports all administrative costs.

Learn more about how you can give here

Any 501 (c)(3) (or fiscally-sponsored group) serving the people or neighborhoods of Brooklyn and whose activities, program or project is broadly consistent with the goals of our Five Fields of Interest may apply. Please see APPLY to learn more.
 

Program staff reviews Letters of Inquiry and complete proposals and makes recommendations to the President, Chair and full Board of Directors as described more fully in APPLY .
 

Any 501 (c)(3) (or fiscally-sponsored group) serving the people or neighborhoods of Brooklyn and whose activities, program or project is broadly consistent with the goals of our Five Fields of Interest may apply so long as the group’s budget is $50,000 or less or has no paid full-time staff. Micro Grants are awarded at any time.
 

The Brooklyn Community Foundation seeks to energize and organize people who love Brooklyn, help them to get to know the issues, meet the leaders, volunteer their skills, shape and advocate for solutions to problems as well as donate money to support effective, creative nonprofits in the borough. We also enable anyone interested in improving Brooklyn to support local nonprofits big and small.

The Brooklyn Community Foundation has long-standing history in the borough, thanks to its transition from Independence Community Foundation and its historic connection to the former Independence Community Bank, a local corporation which seized an opportunity to help Brooklyn in a major way. Learn more about our HISTORY

 

The Brooklyn Community Foundation believes partnerships strengthen communities. To that end, we will organize and participate in forums, panels, conferences and efforts designed to introduce people in the borough to issues that face Brooklyn and the people who address them.