‘ 25-’28
NEW HEIGHTS IS READY TO POWER FORWARD
When New Heights moved to our new home in Brooklyn, we entered a new chapter of growth. With basketball courts and classrooms of our own, we began expanding our sportsbased youth development programs, introducing new services and building partnerships with dozens of local schools and community groups. We increased access to the educational, recreational and health resources that young people and their families need to thrive.
Now we are ready to take New Heights to the next level of impact.
In order to continue growing our programs and our organization to best meet the needs of our community, New Heights embarked on a year-long strategic planning process to guide our vision and direction over the next four years (2025 – 2028). Led by a committee of Board members, senior staff and external consultants, our work included multiple focus groups and 27 individual interviews conducted with staff, Board members, parents, students and donors, as well as interviews with six other non-profits.
The result is Power Forward, a strategic plan that represents a commitment to our mission to educate and empower promising underserved youth to be leaders, champions and student-athletes by developing the skills necessary for success in high school, college and life. Through targeted initiatives and community collaboration, we will amplify our impact and ensure that every young person under our care has the opportunity to rise to their potential physically, socially, emotionally and academically.
As you will read in the following pages, the path forward includes doubling the number of youth that we serve annually to over 3,400 by 2028 through new and expanded programs for the Brooklyn community, and for young women in particular. We will also deepen our engagement with our program participants, elevating their experience through additional coordinated resources that support their holistic development. We will further increase access to quality services for those who need them the most by strengthening our network of corporate and community partners and building the capacity of our staff, Board members, and Emerging Leaders Council.
Our growth plan is ambitious, but New Heights is no stranger to ambition. For nearly 20 years, we have taught young people to think big, set goals and develop a plan for achieving them. Now we are taking a page from our own playbook and charting a course toward a dynamic future.
New Heights is ready to Power Forward. We hope that you will join us on the journey.
FIRST, A LOOK BACK...
In 2001, an after-school program under the Children’s Aid Society that combined basketball with tutoring was piloted at a middle school in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood. In 2005, the pilot program became New Heights, an independent non-profit organization.
New Heights was one of the first organizations in New York City to strategically use basketball to promote achievement on and off the court. Through our signature College Bound program, we developed a unique set of services that promote high school and college readiness.
While our program was highly effective at engaging underserved and vulnerable youth in positive relationships and improving their school performance, we faced several challenges due to lack of space. Each year, New Heights identified 12-15 different sites across four boroughs for classroom and gym facilities through relationships with schools, religious institutions and community centers. This process created several barriers, as we were in annual negotiations for space usage and never had full authority over program sites, scheduling and other logistics.
Our dream was to find a permanent, centralized home facility that would ensure a consistent and streamlined experience for our student-athletes, and allow us to scale our services to reach additional youth and families.
In 2021, our dream became a reality when we moved our offices and all programming to the historic Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. With three full-sized basketball courts, multiple classrooms and a technology lab, our new home brought together our athletic, academic and social emotional learning resources under one roof and sparked a new journey of transformational growth.
In recent years, New Heights has expanded our College Bound program and introduced a variety of community-based services targeted to local youth and families across the areas of education, recreation and health. In total, through our full network of after-school, weekend and summer programs, we now reach over 1,700 young people annually – six times the number we served prior to moving to Brooklyn.
AWARD WINNING PROGRAM MODEL
BANK OF AMERICA
2022 NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDER
For removing barriers and advancing economic opportunity
JR. NBA
2022 PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
For outstanding dedication to developing boys and girls on and off the court in our local community
ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION
2022 RWJF SPORTS AWARD
For making our community a healthier place to live, learn, work and play
PARITY WEEK BY GAINBRIDGE 2024 AWARDEE
For empowering girls and investing in the future of women’s sports
YIELD GIVING 2024 AWARDEE
In 2023, New Heights responded to a national open call for proposals from the charity founded by MacKenzie Scott and, after a highly competitive process that included three rounds of review by experts and peer organizations, we received a $1 million award.
OUR CURRENT PROGRAMS
As a sports-based youth development (SBYD) organization, New Heights uses intentionality to combine our basketball programming with services that support college and career readiness, social emotional learning, and physical and mental health. Through this lens, we design and deliver a variety of after-school, weekend and summer programs that currently engage more than 1,700 young people annually.
COLLEGE BOUND
College Bound is our signature program that combines basketball with a full range of educational and mentoring services to support academic success, graduation from high school and matriculation to college.
CAREER ASSIST
Career Assist is our college completion and career readiness initiative that provides young adults with the tools and resources they need to graduate from higher education, access internships and achieve full-time employment.
SUMMER ACADEMY
Each summer, New Heights provides opportunities for quality education, recreation and basketball training at our five-week Summer Academy for middle school youth. The program includes four weeks of day camp sessions followed by a week away outside the city on the campus of a regional boarding school.
THE FOUNDATION
The Foundation is a series of introductory basketball clinics, leagues and workshops targeted to Brooklyn youth between the ages of 7-14. The program takes place after school and on the weekend, and helps young people develop athletic, leadership and teamwork skills.
MULTI-SPORT DAY CAMP
During the summer, New Heights partners with our neighbors in the Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center, to offer a 10-week summer day camp that incorporates basketball, soccer, swimming and many other sports for children ages 5-14.
BASKETBALL CLINICS
Throughout the year, New Heights organizes a variety of basketball clinics in partnership with other SBYD organizations and professional leagues and teams to make quality basketball opportunities more accessible to local youth and families.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
New Heights works with local community groups, health organizations, elected officials and other youth service providers to host various community events that provide critical information on college prep, financial literacy, career exposure, physical fitness, and mental health and well-being.
98% COLLEGE MATRICULATION RATE COLLEGE BOUND PROGRAM SINCE 2005
100% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE
78% COLLEGE GRADUATION RATE $70M IN SCHOLARSHIP AND AID SECURED FOR STUDENTATHLETES
OUR POWER FORWARD PLAN
AT THE CORE OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN ARE FOUR MAIN GOALS:
1. Impact More Youth
Double our reach to over 3,400 youth annually by 2028 through new and expanded programs.
2. Deepen Engagement
Ensure comprehensive care of youth through additional coordinated resources that support their holistic development.
3. Expand Partnerships
Develop additional strategic partnerships that increase access to quality services and bolster outcomes for youth.
4. Strengthen Our Team
Increase the capacity of staff, Board members and our Emerging Leaders Council to support our growth.
NEW HEIGHTS STRATEGIC GOALS
1. IMPACT MORE YOUTH
Scale What Works
Expand our successful basketball clinics, summer day camps, college preparatory programs and community events
2. DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT
Mental and Physical Health
Services that encourage youth to engage in positive behaviors to nurture their physical health and emotional well-being as they grow from adolescence into young adulthood
3. EXPAND PARTNERSHIPS
School-Based Partnerships
Formalize partnerships with Brooklyn schools and other educational institutions that support our program enrollment and growth
4. STRENGTHEN OUR TEAM
Recruit
Attract and retain diverse leaders who demonstrate passion and commitment to our mission
Double our reach to over 3,400 youth annually by 2028 through new and expanded programs.
Create New Opportunities
Introduce year-round basketball programs that fill community needs and meet student-athletes where they are in terms of skill level and goals
Think Local
Target our outreach to the Brooklyn communities surrounding our home facility
Focus on Girls
Increase the number of female participants through specialized initiatives
Ensure comprehensive care of youth through additional coordinated resources that support their holistic development.
College and Career Access
Programs that promote academic preparedness, and help youth develop skills, identify pathways and navigate best-fit educational and career choices; Develop additional pathways for lifelong alumni engagement
Social Emotional Learning
Resources that help young people understand and manage emotions, problem-solve, make responsible decisions, set and work towards goals, and maintain healthy relationships
Develop additional strategic partnerships that increase access to quality services and bolster outcomes for youth.
Corporate Collaborations
Draw upon the experience and expertise of corporate volunteers to strengthen college and career exploration opportunities for young people
Community Relationships
Work with local community groups, health organizations, elected officials and other youth service providers to create a more robust network of resources for our youth
Increase the capacity of staff, Board members and our Emerging Leaders Council to support our growth.
Invest
Promote professional development opportunities that support lifelong learning for all levels
Organize
Create systems and infrastructure that facilitate operational efficacy and increase staff performance
OUTCOMES INCLUDE
• The expansion of current programs will result in the engagement of over 1,400 additional youth annually by 2028.
• New initiatives, including an in-house league and a year-round program that integrates basketball with academic support, will engage 300 additional youth annually by 2028.
OUTCOMES INCLUDE
• Pilot the Care Coordination Model in 2025.
• Launch a “Careers in Sports” initiative.
• The College Bound program will continue to achieve a 100% high school graduation rate and at least 95% college matriculation rate.
• 100% of first-year college students will persist to their sophomore year.
OUTCOMES INCLUDE
• Create strategic partnerships with local schools over the next four years to sustain growth of year-round community basketball programs.
• Launch additional program sites by 2026 to support increased engagement in The Foundation.
• Develop partnerships with hospitals and health organizations to access necessary mental and physical health services.
OUTCOMES INCLUDE
• Hire full-time Girls Basketball Director to lead the program by 2025.
• Hire staff at pace with growth: 100% more staff by 2028.
• 100% of staff participate in professional development activities annually.
• Annual staff retention rates of over 80%.
• The number of Brooklyn community girls who participate in our programs will double by 2028.
• Summer Academy enrollment will increase by 80% by 2028.
• The alumni network will increase to over 550 young adults by 2028.
• At least 90% of participants across all programs will improve in social emotional learning capacities.
• Over 75% of college students will earn their college diploma within six years.
• New pathways for New Heights alumni to support the college and career experiences of current student-athletes will be established.
• Expand opportunities for corporate employee volunteers through tutoring, mentoring, workshop instruction and other activities.
• Strengthen corporate and community partnerships to support job shadow, internship and career readiness experiences for our youth.
• All coaches, academic staff, team leaders, and other full-time and part-time, youth-facing staff are trained in the New Heights model by 2028.
• Grow Board and Emerging Leaders Council at the pace for budgetary and programmatic growth.
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
New Heights has come a long way since our inception in 2005 when we employed two full-time staff and served 140 youth with an annual budget of $528,219. We are proud of our growth as an organization and are excited to Power Forward to a new level of excellence.
Our Power Forward plan outlines key growth milestones through 2028. These milestones reflect our commitment to driving greater impact and serving more youth across the community. We are investing in our future and in our future leaders.
With careful forecasting, intentional decision-making around organizational expenses, and ongoing fundraising efforts and support from our core donors across multiple streams, New Heights is confident that we will achieve these projections and ensure that our legacy of positive youth development endures for future generations.
BUDGET
The New Heights budget will grow from $5.1M in FY23 to $8M by FY28, representing an increase of over 36%. This growth will ensure that our organization has the financial resources needed to support program expansion and to reach additional youth and families.
In order to reach these budget goals, New Heights has developed diverse revenue streams including long-established relationships with foundations and corporations, our Board of Directors networks, individual and major donors, and three annual special events including the GameChangers Ball.
With our new home in Brooklyn, New Heights has also created a new revenue generation model to support operating and overhead expenses through court rentals, sponsored events and partnerships, thereby allowing us to allocate more of our philanthropic donations to direct service programming.
YOUTH SERVED
Through expanded programs and partnerships with dozens of local organizations, schools, elected officials, corporations and other groups, New Heights will continue to widen our reach in the Brooklyn community and throughout New York City. We project that by FY28, we will double the number of youth served annually to over 3,400.
GROWTH IN NUMBER OF YOUTH SERVED
STAFF
New Heights is a dynamic team of education, coaching and youth development professionals. Since moving to our new headquarters in 2021, we have consistently increased the size of our staff to support our ongoing expansion.
As New Heights continues to grow, so does the need to attract, hire, train and retain committed employees who are passionate about our mission. As we continue to scale our services, New Heights will double our full-time staff from 15 to 30 and increase part-time staff from 35 to 72, for an overall of growth rate of more than 100%.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mark Patricof+ Board Chair Founder Patricof Co
Duane Fiedler Board Vice Chair Partner Fiedler Deutsch, LLP
Ty Wallach Board Treasurer
Managing Director/CIO-Credit Atlas Merchant Capital
Jonathan Marotta Board Secretary
Managing Director Crescent Capital
Will Blodgett Founder and CEO Tredway
Laurence Brown Retired Educator
Linda Choong+ Founder and CEO LLC Left+Right LLC
Chris De La Rosa* Founder Heights Development
Troy Dixon
Managing Partner and CIO
Hollis Park Partners
John Gilmore
Senior Managing Director Walker & Dunlop
Steve Grant
Managing Principal MCRE Partners
Byron Jones+ Retired NFL Player
Rich Kleiman Partner and Co-Founder 35V and Boardroom
Nina Lesavoy Founder/Managing Director Avec Capital
Cameron Lewis* Founding Partner/Portfolio Manager, Compass Rose Asset Management
Richard Roberts Principal and Chief Business Development Officer
Red Stone Equity Partners
Alan Schrager Portfolio Manager/Senior Partner, Oak Hill Advisors
Nicholas Silvers+ Founding Partner Tavros
Ted Smith (Ex-Officio)+ Executive Director
New Heights
Lance Thomas* NBA Veteran Founder and CEO
Slangmagic Fishing
David Thompson
Managing Director
Morgan Stanley
James Yolles
Managing Director
Risa Heller Communications
Vicki Zubovic Chief External Relations Officer
Khan Academy
Andrew Colao General Counsel Partner
Weil, Gotshal & Manges
STAFF L EADERSHIP TEAM
Rahme Anderson Boys Basketball Director
Adam Berkowitz+ Chief Operating Officer
Ashley Faison, LCSW+ Chief Development Officer
Dan Halewicz+ Chief Finance and Administration Officer
Josh Klinski Director of Institutional Giving
Gregory Louis Director of Programs
Ted Smith+ Executive Director
Kathleen Weber Girls Basketball Director
Special Thanks to: Andrew Nathan, Katlin Brown and WellSpring Consulting
*New Heights Alumni
+Strategic Planning Committee
