Winter 2023 Grants Newsletter

The New York Community Trust is a public charity and New York City’s largest community foundation.

We connect generous people and institutions with high-impact nonprofits making New York City, Long Island, and Westchester better places for all.

We build stronger communities, influence public policy, foster innovation, improve lives, and protect our environment.

We’d like to hear from you.

Please contact us with questions or comments: (212) 686-0010 or info@nyct-cfi.org

Congrats...

Trust President Amy Freitag was selected for the 2023 amNY/PoliticsNY list of “Power Players in Corporate Social Responsibility.”

More than one million votes have been tallied, and our affiliate, the Long Island Community Foundation, was chosen as “Best Philanthropist” in the 2023 “Best of Long Island” list, presented by the Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

Longtime Trust distribution committee member and award-winning designer Jamie Drake recently published a new book, BOLD: The Interiors of Drake/ Anderson. It illustrates the firm’s unique and expressive interiors, which are inviting and livable.

Recommendations from our staff

ON THE COVER: I’RAISE Girls and Boys International CEO & founder, Shanequa Moore, works with a group of students at a Brooklyn public school. Story, pages 8-9.

Hidden Brain podcast

Recommended by John Oddy, vice president for donor relations: “This insightful podcast, hosted by former NPR correspondent Shankar Vedantam, touches on everything from the ‘warm glow effect’ of helping others, to the impact of trauma on our health, to the psychology behind what makes us laugh. Much of what I hear connects with our grantmaking and the pleasure of working with donors.”

Beba, directed by Rebeca Huntt

Recommended by Salem Tsegaye, program officer for arts and culture: “Streaming on Hulu, this film explores the roles that director Huntt’s Afro-Latina heritage, New York City upbringing, and artistry played in shaping her identity. Beba—which benefited from our grant to Chicken & Egg Pictures to help nonfiction filmmakers increase their work’s social impact—is a great example of how interiority in a documentary can shed light on larger issues, such as generational trauma and structural racism.”

Race and Wealth podcast

Recommended by Sol Marie Alfonso-Jones, senior program officer with the Long Island Community Foundation: “This podcast invites various experts to discuss the intersection between race and financial security in America—a prime focus of the Long Island Racial Equity Donor Collaborative, which has made grants to nonprofits working to close the long-standing racial wealth gap on our island.”

Photo by Ari Mintz

Does funding tech training need a reboot?

RODERICK JENKINS

“New York City’s technology sector employs more than 260,000 people in finance, healthcare, media, and advertising. For the last decade, The Trust’s grantmaking has played a big part in training young people, especially people of color, to work in this field. Today, though, there are news stories about the tech sector being in trouble. Nationally, tech firms are cutting jobs at a rate not seen since the start of the pandemic.

The headlines made me wonder: should The Trust continue funding tech training programs or cut, run, and fund the next hot idea?

To find out what’s happening on the ground, I spoke to Plinio Ayala, president and CEO of Per Scholas, a tech training nonprofit that started in the Bronx 25 years ago. Today this Trust grantee prepares 1,000 New Yorkers a year for jobs ranging from cybersecurity to software engineering.

Plinio assured me that there’s no need to worry. He said that technology is a ‘golden thread’ woven throughout our city’s economy. He said the tech sector

has 13,000 jobs available right now, and he believed those numbers would only continue to grow in the future. Plinio added one caution: the tech downturn has slowed job placement. Generally, the average time period between training and placement has been around 30 days, and Plinio believes that might double to 60.

Data supports Plinio’s optimism. According to an analysis by James Parrott, an economist at the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, tech employment in the city grew by 4 percent between February and August 2022.

Because one in five tech jobs—such as software engineers, data analysts, and cybersecurity experts—do not require a college degree, the field remains a great career path for young people who don’t have the time or money to pursue higher education.

Despite the pullback in the tech sector, we need to hold the line. Nonprofit tech training programs are doing what they need to do—creating life-changing opportunities for young New Yorkers.” n

Financial information about The New York Community Trust can be obtained by contacting us at: 909 Third Avenue, 22nd Floor, New York, New York 10022, (212) 686-0010, at www.nycommunitytrust. org, or as stated below: Florida: SC No. CH9514 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-HELP-FLA OR AT www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Maryland: For the cost of postage and copying, from the Secretary of State. Michigan: MICS No. 22265. Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of The New York Community Trust may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm/htm. New York: A copy of our most recent financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website at www.charitiesnys.com or, upon request, by contacting the NYS Attorney General, Charities Bureau, at 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 or at 212-416-8401. North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at (888) 830-4989 (within N.C.) or (919) 814-5400 (outside N.C.). Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of The New York Community Trust may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Virginia: From the State Office of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: From the Charities Program at 1-800-332-4483, or www.sos.wa.gov/charities. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Wisconsin: A financial statement of the organization disclosing assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue and expenses for the preceding fiscal year will be provided to any person upon request. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE DEDUCTIBLE FOR

YORK COMMUNITY TRUST BY THE STATE.

Roderick is a Trust program director and manages grantmaking for youth and workforce development. Photo of Roderick Jenkins and Plinio Ayala by Ari Mintz

New grants plant seeds to grow the field of social work

They’re a secret weapon in plain sight: social workers. Embedded in an array of critical fields, from healthcare to law to education, social workers are an overlooked and underused resource—even as the fields around them strain to meet escalating demands.

The Trust has a long history of lifting up social work thanks to several donors who have left permanent gifts for the field. These funds make The Trust one of the largest foundation social work funders in the country.

Last year, The Trust worked with a consultant and convened an advisory committee to identify the best use of our social work funds. This resulted in a new strategy that

strives to strengthen the field locally and nationally, while creating pilots at community organizations to demonstrate the benefits that come from a deeper integration of social workers in healthcare, anti-poverty work, and other fields.

WHO ARE SOCIAL WORKERS?

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 715,000 social workers nationally. Their accreditation, education, ages, and backgrounds vary widely, but they have several commonalities.

“Social workers are just really, really eager to change the world and enhance the quality of life for everybody around them,” said

Kathryn Haslanger, chief executive officer of the Jewish Association

Serving the Aged (JASA). “I think they often have a commitment to social justice, a concern for people who are on the edge and may not have had a lot of choices.”

HEALTHCARE INTEGRATION

“Many people in healthcare who work with a social worker know they could never work without that social worker,” said Robyn Golden, who directs the Trust-supported Center for Health and Social Care Integration at the Rush University Medical Center, and leads its Coalition for Social Work and Health. The Coalition is an alliance of educators, researchers, and

SPEAKING UP: Herstory Writers Workshop works with local high school students, like the young woman pictured, to craft and share stories that help them overcome challenges in their lives.

policy leaders who are advocating across the nation to better embed social workers into the daily functions of the healthcare field.

“We’re in a crisis in healthcare in this country,” said Golden. During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry was hit with a surge in demand for its services at the same time many workers were leaving the field. Compounding existing inequities, the service gaps disproportionately affected low-income communities of color, where the Coalition has focused its efforts.

“While social workers are the largest providers of mental health care, they play a critical role in other aspects of health,” said Golden. “Social workers help patients navigate our complex medical system and help address the social determinants of health. Unfortunately, they have gotten overlooked as general healthcare providers.” She said the campaign would highlight how social workers in healthcare settings can reduce unnecessary re-hospitalizations and other medical costs, while also improving the care experience for patients, families, and healthcare providers themselves.

“Social workers view patients as people, not just as their disease,” said Golden. “They take the time

to get to know who they are, what they want and need, what matters to them right now. And they work with family caregivers, who are often left out of the equation. This tailored approach is what it’s going to take to get each person the best outcome possible and minimize inequitable outcomes.”

Golden noted insurance carriers often won’t pay for social workers in medical settings, so their role is often overlooked or eliminated by cost-cutters focused on the bottom line.

The Center’s campaign hopes to change that. It seeks to elevate the stature of social workers–and convince insurers and healthcare systems of the wisdom of including, and paying for, their valuable services.

The Coalition is following in the footsteps of a 2019 National Academy of Sciences report on social care and the nation’s health, funded in part by The Trust. The report laid out the case that people’s health was directly affected by social factors such as housing, transportation, and food, and that social workers could address those needs. The report’s conclusion was that the country should widen its lens and incorporate social factors into healthcare. To move toward that goal, the report recommended

bringing more trained social workers into the system, and including their services in reimbursement assessments.

ACADEMIC-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

As part of The Trust’s new social work funding strategy, it made grants that forged partnerships between academic institutions and community-based service providers. The goal is to create a new generation of social workers with hands-on experience while demonstrating how they can help nonprofits increase their impact with underserved groups, such as older adults.

“Even before the pandemic, there were long-standing workforce challenges in the field of aging,” said Haslanger of JASA.

A Trust grant will create a pilot in which Lehman College Department of Social Work graduate students take classes while conducting their field work at JASA facilities. They will assist older adults whose challenges are complicated by factors such as lack of stable housing, former incarceration, mental illness, or substance abuse.

Molly Krakowski, JASA senior director of government affairs, said the students will expand the reach of staff to “support and provide individuals with oneon-one counseling, run support groups, and develop community connections. Students bring a lot of passion to the table while they’re learning, and JASA is excited to be part of their professional journey.”

The program will document the work, and the results, if positive, will be used to advocate with policymakers, funders, and researchers, to replicate it. Haslanger added that JASA hopes that the students become employees at the agency after they graduate. “We hope they fall in love with us,” she said.

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Social workers help patients navigate our complex medical system and help address the social determinants of health.”

- Robyn Golden, director of the Center for Health and Social Care Integration at Rush University Medical Center

SPOTLIGHT

An in-depth look at social work

Fund. The Fund was created by the late “Buddy” Silberman, CEO of the Consolidated Cigar Corp., which made Dutch Masters and Muriel cigars. Buddy, who was deeply affected by the deprivations of the Great Depression witnessed as a child, was once characterized by his daughter Jayne who became a social worker—as a “businessman with the heart of a social worker.”

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

Another Trust-funded pilot teams an academic institution with a community service provider to use social workers to treat homeless shelter residents who have experienced trauma. Social work students from Adelphi University will learn to work with people at Brooklyn facilities operated by CAMBA, while being trained by staff from both organizations. If the pilot succeeds, it will be expanded to CAMBA’s other locations and introduced to other shelter operators.

The Bronx Defenders, which gives free legal assistance to indigent defendants, will expand a successful model of using social workers in the legal field. The group created a holistic defense model using lawyers, paralegals, and social workers to address legal matters as well as social service issues, such as housing or healthcare, which can greatly complicate a defendant’s life and their ability to navigate the legal process. The Bronx Defenders will send teams led by social workers to train other nonprofits across the country on this model, which was found to reduce the rate and length of defendants’ incarceration and save $165 million in tax dollars.

On Long Island, Herstory Writers Workshop has been lifting up the

voices, through written stories, of people often not heard by the larger community. The group will work in the Wyandanch school district, teaming up with Adelphi School of Social Work master’s program students to use narrative techniques to elicit the stories of students and parents, 87 percent of whom are Black and Latinx.

THEY BELIEVED IN THE POWER OF SOCIAL WORK

Much of The Trust’s investment in social work is made possible by the Lois & Samuel J. Silberman Grant

A highlight of The Trust’s work with the Fund was the development of Hunter College’s East Harlem campus for its Silberman School of Social Work. The Fund also enabled the school to triple its enrollment, begin a doctorate program, and finance research projects.

THE FUTURE OF THE FIELD

The political activist Gloria Steinem once said: “Social workers are my collective heroes. They sit at the juncture between those with too much power and those with not enough.” The Trust will keep funding projects to advance social work education, practice, and policy. This will let social workers continue to provide the compassionate and supportive services people need and grow the field for the future. n

THREE WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WORK:

• Be an influencer! Share this story with friends and family and talk about it.

• Donate directly or through your donoradvised fund to any of the nonprofits found in this story, or others like them.

• Leave a legacy by establishing a permanent fund. If you would like to discuss how to design a philanthropic legacy, contact giving@nyct-cfi.org.

MASTER CLASS: Silberman School of Social Work tripled its enrollment thanks to Trust donors.

Sparking a conversation through film

MAHEN BONETTI

Mahen is the founder and executive director of African Film Festival, which is using a Trust grant to archive its collection of movies from the African diaspora and make them more widely available. This May marks the 30th anniversary of its New York African Film Festival.

“My first lightbulb moment was at the Paris Theater on 58th Street. It was the late 1970s and I was working at an ad agency and would eat my lunch at the theater sometimes it would just be me and the projectionist and I discovered the work of great directors, including Ousmane Sembène of Senegal. It was a reclamation of African identity for me; it was African storytelling.

My family came to the United States for political asylum from Sierra Leone when I was 14. When I returned to New York after college in the late 1970s,

the city was facing so many constraints, including bankruptcy, but the cultural scene was really ripe. It was diverse, inclusive, worldly, and I found my footing in that space. Because I was outside my continent, looking in, I started appreciating African human experiences.

I wanted to give Africa a back story. I wanted to find a counterpoint to the narrative of famine, of corruption, of upheaval. Everything you see on the nightly news is going on, but there are more layers to those stories.

In those days when I went to see the occasional African movie playing in New York, the audience was mostly people of European descent. I realized access to information was key. There was this belief that people of color were not interested in these stories.

My second lightbulb moment was going to an African film festival in Locarno, Switzerland: I discovered 30 years of African cinema.

When we launched the New York African Film Festival in 1993, we spent time going into communities—speaking to people in laundromats, churches, community centers—letting them know what we wanted to do.

The image you see on the screen is the catalyst to spark a larger discussion. For every program we do, we make sure there is a discussion as well, because that is equally important. That is the most democratic space. It’s a beautiful thing.” n

I wanted to give Africa a back story. I wanted to find a counterpoint to the narrative of famine, of corruption, of upheaval. ”

Photo courtesy of passerby

Confronting a mental health emergency

It’s been more than a year since the American Academy of Pediatrics declared children’s mental health a national emergency, yet rates of anxiety and depression among young people continue to soar as waitlists grow for therapists, hospital beds, and program placements. Communities that have been hardest hit by the pandemic are at the greatest risk, while facing additional obstacles—from racial bias in treatment and inadequate insurance to a lack of culturally competent healthcare providers.

The New York Community Trust is making grants to several nonprofits to address these inequities and bring quality mental health care to more young people.

I’RAISE Girls and Boys International provides free mental health services on-site in struggling and underperforming public schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. With our grant, I’RAISE is addressing increasing rates of depression and anxiety among students at public schools like P.S. 178 in Brownsville. I’RAISE’s team of Black and Latinx social

workers screen for trauma, suicidal ideation, and depression; develop service plans for students; and provide individual and group counseling, including art therapy and gender identity groups. It also offers educational seminars for teachers on the ways mental health problems manifest themselves in the classroom and simple techniques to support children exhibiting these problems.

“We’re noticing in Brownsville the extreme exposure to violence that our kids have experienced, and that many of our kids were totally traumatized by what happened to their loved ones during the pandemic,” said Shanequa Moore, I’RAISE’s founder and CEO. “A lot of our kids lost loved ones and caregivers, and so did a lot of our teachers.”

Moore said part of her program’s work is to help teachers address their own trauma and create traumainformed classroom environments for their students. The program is also uniquely poised to help schools with parent engagement, an important factor in

CARE AT SCHOOL: Shanequa Moore, center, created I’RAISE Girls and Boys International to help children and families deal with trauma, anxiety, and other challenges.

Photo by Ari Mintz

supporting students’ mental health.

“One of the things that parents and schools really appreciate is we’re led by Black women and we’re Black mothers ourselves, so we bring that lived experience,” said Moore.

The city’s LGBTQ young people also are struggling to connect with mental health support. Data released by the national Trevor Project showed that more than half of LGBTQ young people in New York State who wanted mental health care were unable to obtain it. LGBTQ young people will receive the assistance they need from the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, which is turning its Crown Heights site into a multiservice hub providing mental health and social support, thanks to a Trust grant. Callen-Lorde Community Center, a leading LGBTQ health and behavioral health care provider, will operate a mental health clinic there.

Mental health challenges also can undermine a jobseeker’s most determined attempts, particularly for young people with justice system involvement, histories of homelessness, and substance use disorders. Stigma and misinformation about mental health treatment is common among young people who come to the Hope Program for a high school equivalency diploma or training for jobs in business services, construction, building maintenance, groundskeeping, and clean energy. This stigma prevents trainees from believing in themselves and sometimes leads them to decline help and leave the program. With Trust support, the Hope Program is enhancing mental health services in its job training programs in the South Bronx and Brooklyn and offering seminars that empower young people to seek treatment.

Both the Brooklyn Community Pride Center and the Hope Program will train staff to recognize signs of trauma and destigmatize mental health treatment for young people.

A recent survey of high school students in Queens found that 35 percent felt so sad almost every day for two weeks that they stopped engaging in normal activities, and 15 percent contemplated suicide. Yet, despite the increasing need, Queens has seen the closure of mental health treatment centers and growing waitlists for services.

The Child Center of New York is tackling this issue by designing a digital system to centralize intakes and decrease wait times for initial appointments for young people in Queens. A grant from The Trust will let young people connect digitally with providers who meet their language and cultural needs, while educating parents about the importance of mental health treatment. n

One of the things that parents and schools really appreciate is we’re led by Black women and we’re Black mothers ourselves...”

- Shanequa Moore, CEO of I’RAISE

IN QUEENS: Child Center of New York is using a Trust grant to connect young people with mental health providers that speak their languages and meet their needs. Below, a social worker from the organization talks with a client.

CLEANING OUR WATER: Long Island Community Foundation grants helped set in motion efforts to remove a common carcinogen from Long Island’s groundwater.

Three initiatives improve water quality

One of the priorities of the Long Island Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Trust, is to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Islanders, which means monitoring and improving local water quality. Several recent initiatives have resulted in new protections for the area’s water.

Citizens Campaign for the Environment recently won a three-year battle to protect Long Island’s groundwater. Legislation signed by the Governor now mandates that local governments use new treatment systems to remove the chemical known as 1,4-dioxane from drinking water. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists this chemical as a likely carcinogen and a hazardous air pollutant, it is found in 92 percent of public water systems tested on Long Island the highest rate of detection in the country. This law is the first in the nation to ban the contaminant, and is especially crucial to Long Island, which has the highest cancer rate in the state.

Our Long Island Community Foundation awarded multiple grants to Citizens Campaign to raise public awareness and support for policies to stop the use of this toxic chemical, which also is found in many common personal care and household products, including baby bath products.

“Prior to the work of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment,” said Sol Marie Alfonso-Jones, a senior program officer at Long Island Community Foundation, “there had been no regional remedial action or even awareness at the local level of the threats to public health.”

She noted that it is critical to protect Long Island’s groundwater and aquifers from contaminants, as they are Nassau and Suffolk counties’ only source of drinking water. After three years of publishing data, educating the public and elected officials, and advocating for change, Citizens Campaign succeeded, and Long Island won.

PROTECTING WATER FROM NITROGEN

Nearly 400,000 aging cesspools and septic systems on Long Island account for 70 percent of the nitrogen entering its water bodies, which contributes to beach closures, fish kills, and the degradation of marshes. The water quality is threatened by nitrogen pollution from antiquated septic systems, fertilizers used on residential lawns and commercial farms, and housing developments. The Long Island Pine Barrens Society keeps fighting to protect the water quality and land in the Pine Barrens, with support from the Long Island Community Foundation. Grants have helped the group organize public education campaigns and

guided hikes to educate people about the importance of land preservation and water quality. The Society has successfully advocated for government grants for septic system replacements—and continues to push for additional funding. It also has built an online educational resource hub about water quality issues on Long Island.

NATURAL POLLUTION FIGHTERS

Eelgrass meadow habitats and shellfish populations can mitigate water pollution from rain storm runoff that carries harmful substances, such as nitrogen fertilizers. This runoff pollutes the aquifer and surface water and causes algae growth, which can deplete dissolved oxygen in water bodies.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County is protecting waters through the restoration of natural habitat. Eelgrass and shellfish populations act as a filter for water pollution, and since both have undergone major declines locally, the Extension is working to increase their presence in several locations. n

HEALTH THREATS AT HOME: A dangerous chemical found in common household products will now be banned, thanks to advocacy by Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

Index shines light on county disparities

Westchester County is home to some of the nation’s wealthiest neighborhoods, but it also has areas with high rates of poverty and significant disparities in health, education, and housing.

For many in the county, this inequality is hard to see. “Poverty in Westchester is growing, but many wealthier Westchester residents may not be aware of the extent of the need in towns outside their own,” said Tara Seeley, senior program officer at our Westchester Community Foundation, a Trust affiliate.

To better understand and address these disparities, the Foundation partnered with data analysts at nonprofit consultant CGR to launch the Westchester Index in spring 2022.

The Index provides data on a range of topics, including economic security, education, and health, combining information from the Census, American

multiple ways, including charts, maps, and customized dashboards.

Alison Paul, a fundraising professional who has worked with the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns and the Pelham Art Center, among others, said, “I teach grant writing, and I include the Index as a very valuable way to find local information. I use it when I write grants for clients because it gives me a lot of data on a lot of different topics in one easy-to-use, readily accessible site. The Index saves me time because it’s all there.”

Laura Rossi, executive director of the Foundation, said, “We developed the Index to show where the disparities are, to see trends, to understand their context, and to work together for action. It will help the Foundation make a lasting impact that will improve the quality of life for all. It is up to us, all of us, to take data and to listen and learn from the people closest to the problems so that we may develop lasting solutions.” n

Communities Survey, and other sources into a visually appealing and user-friendly site. Available for free, it can be used by nonprofits, government agencies, and individuals to shape public policy, advocate for funding, and target resources more effectively. The Westchester Index is the single source for information at the city, town, and village level that combines data on the many conditions in which Westchester residents live, work, and age. The data can be explored in

To learn more, visit the Westchester Index by scanning this QR code.

We developed the Index to show where the disparities are, to see trends, to understand their context, and to work together for action.”

- Laura Rossi, executive director of the Westchester Community Foundation

Data from the Westchester Index that can guide policy and inform action

Who owns businesses in Westchester?

The disparities between business ownership and population share indicate more investment is needed to foster business ownership among Black and Latinx Westchester residents.

Percent of business ownership

Percent of population

Where is poverty concentrated?

If you want to go far, go together

OUR GIVING CIRCLES

Giving circles are powered by people of all ages and backgrounds, and ask for different levels of commitment of time, talent, and treasure. Join one of our circles below, which welcome new members, or start your own giving group!

The Giving Collective

At The Trust, we believe in the power of communal giving. By giving together, New Yorkers can raise more funds for nonprofits, spark transformative change, and even foster lasting friendships.

Giving circles are a great way to do this. The members pool their dollars and decide collectively what to fund. Joining a giving circle—or creating one of your own—is simple. If there is an issue you’d like to work with others to fund, such as education or climate change, let’s talk! As a founding member of a new circle, you’ll be able to recruit friends, family, and colleagues to join you and benefit from the expertise of our grantmaking and donor support staff.

The Trust’s largest giving circle, WellMet Philanthropy, is dedicated to helping nascent grassroots nonprofits in New York serve their communities. Over 25 years, the circle has made more than $3.4 million in grants to

nearly 200 organizations. WellMet members (women of all ages and backgrounds) work together to recommend grants to promising direct service organizations that are often not yet on the radar of larger funders. Members meet with nonprofit leaders, connect them with resources, and stay in touch. Many of the members provide additional support to the grantees through their individual donor-advised funds.

“It’s incredibly fun and energizing to work with smart, interesting, committed women who love New York and want to get outside their comfort zone,” said Joan Rosenthal, the president of the group. “I think this work has a real impact. Through these organizations we can make a difference in people’s lives.” n

Contact Diana Gordon, philanthropy officer, at dkg@nyct-cfi.org or (212) 481-2677 to learn more about joining or starting a circle.

People under 50 years old of all genders funding local grassroots organizations. Recent grantees include: New York Abortion Access Project, Release Aging People From Prison, and Open Hearts Initiative. Minimum annual contribution: $1,500.

The Rising Board

A recently founded circle of young entrepreneurs, investors, and financial services professionals. Minimum annual contribution: Any amount.

WellMet Philanthropy

A women’s collective making transformative grants to small community-based nonprofits within New York City. Recent grantees include Asiyah Women’s Center, the Urban Wild, BK ROT, and the Brave House. Minimum annual contribution: $5,150.

FREE BOOKS: WellMet Philanthropy recently supported Brooklyn Book Bodega, a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting literacy in its borough. Above, the group hosts an event in front of Barclay’s Center in downtown Brooklyn.

Trust Trivia

1) Which of these organizations did The Trust help start?

a. God’s Love We Deliver

b. New Visions for Public Schools

c. Nonprofit Finance Fund

d. All of the above

2) Which of the following were NOT founded by a Trust donor?

a. B. Altman & Co. department store

b. Belmont Park

c. Loehmann’s department store

d. Macy’s department store

Answer Key

Hint! Also known as the Colonial Farmhouse Restoration Society of Bellerose, this place is the longest continuously farmed site in New York State (since 1697).

also sells farm products and has more than 500,000 visitors annually.

Meet a donor...

Actress, designer, education champion

Born in Bucharest in 1914, Hunter became an overnight sensation as an actress in her native Romania as a teenager, eventually starring in the first Romanian-made talkie, Trenul Fantoma. She escaped the Nazi occupation and after a four-month, threecontinent journey, arrived in New York in 1941. She appeared on Broadway and played a gangster’s moll (and designed her own dresses) in the Marx Brothers’ film A Night in Casablanca

After acting, she became a clothing designer and married textile manufacturer Erhart Ruegg, who died in 1950. She later married Francis Hunter, a former Olympic gold medalist in tennis and owner of several businesses. Before she died on her 89th birthday in 2003, she created the Lisette Verea Ruegg Hunter Fund in The Trust to assist “young Americans of promise…to pursue their educational goals.” At left, she’s seen on the silver screen with Groucho Marx.

1) d 2) d 3) The Queens County Farm Museum, home to the Queens County Fair,

Lisette Verea Ruegg Hunter

Photo by Ari Mintz

Photo courtesy of United Artists/Alamy