Impact Report
A report prepared especially for you.
Dear Donor,
We hope this finds you and your loved ones happy and healthy.
It is a pleasure to share with you the profound impact of The New York Community Trust’s grants. This year’s Impact Report highlights a few of the many victories made possible by generous donors who fell in love with this extraordinary region, wanted to express their gratitude in a lasting, meaningful way, and created legacy gifts with us. Decades later, these heartfelt, visionary gifts continue to make lifechanging work possible.
From the rolling hills of the lower Hudson Valley and countless cultural offerings of the city to the glittering waves of Montauk, we share a love for this place—and we are honored and delighted to help our legacy donors’ altruism continue.
Thank you for being a part of our community foundation—the foundation for a vibrant New York.
Warmly,
Amy Freitag President
Marie D’Costa Vice President & Chief Development Officer
IMMIGRATION
Setting the record straight on Long Island’s immigrants
The Immigration Research Initiative released a study showing that while Long Island immigrants are overcoming hurdles, they still face challenges. Immigrants account for 21 percent of the economic output of Long Island residents, even while making up a smaller percentage of the population. And while high-earning immigrants make up 36 percent of doctors on the Island, 40 percent of immigrants survive on poverty wages—data that can be used to guide policymaking.
The Long Island Community Foundation’s Miracle-Gro Fund made this study possible.
ENVIRONMENT
A green light for cleaner air and better mass transit
A 15-year campaign to create “congestion pricing” to reduce air pollution and increase public investment in mass transit scored a big victory thanks to the advocacy of Riders Alliance, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, among others. A federal agency approved the first-in-the-nation plan, paving the way for new fees for vehicles entering midtown and downtown Manhattan. Traffic is expected to drop by 15 to 20 percent; fees will yield $1 to $1.5 billion a year for mass transit.
Our LuEsther T. Mertz Fund, created, in part, to protect the environment, helped make this campaign possible.
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Streets are safer for low-vision pedestrians
Thanks to successful litigation by Disability Rights Advocates, the city is adding at least 10,000 new accessible pedestrian signals with auditory cues and touch vibrations to help blind and low-vision New Yorkers cross streets safely. The city installed 498 accessible pedestrian signals in 2022 and expects to exceed its 2023 target of 500 signals.
Trust grants to Disability Rights Advocates used our David Warfield Fund to enhance services for people with low vision or blindness.
POVERTY
First-in-nation livable wage hike for app workers
The Worker’s Justice Project had a big win this year. Thanks to its Los Deliveristas Unidos advocacy campaign, the city mandated new pay hikes for app-based delivery workers: their hourly pay nearly tripled from $7.09 to $17.96 this summer, with more pay raises to follow in 2025 and new safety measures to protect workers when they are on the streets.
The Project received support from The Trust’s William & Françoise Barstow Foundation No. 2 fund and the Herbert B. West Fund.
HEALTH
Reproductive healthcare access expanded
The NY Birth Control Access Project led the advocacy campaign that resulted in Governor Hochul signing a bill that makes it easier for New Yorkers to take charge of their reproductive health. Next year, pharmacists will provide hormonal contraception without requiring a prescription. The Trust was the first institutional donor for this agency, which uses advocacy, public education, and policy analysis to expand access to reproductive healthcare.
Made possible by The Trust’s Lucy Wortham James Memorial Fund, established in 1936, and our Betty Wheeler Fund, created in 1991.
ARTS
Promoting diverse storytelling through photography
The arts group En Foco celebrates the work of U.S.-based photographers of Latinx, African, Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander heritage. With its Nueva Luz magazine, En Foco explores overlooked social and cultural issues, expanding the field of photography. The group established an online archive and Nueva Luz Study Center, digitizing every issue of its publication and bringing all of Nueva Luz’s content and artists to the attention of global audiences.
The Mosaic Network & Fund, a learning network and collaborative fund of nearly 30 donors, supports African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American arts and cultural groups, including En Foco.
EDUCATION
Parents create a new public school for struggling readers
Literacy Academy Collective just opened the South Bronx Literacy Academy— the first district public school in the country specifically designed to teach students with dyslexia and other struggling readers. A group of parents and educators seeking systemic change created the Collective after fighting to connect their own children with appropriate instruction. Trust funding trained teachers for this groundbreaking school.
The Trust’s grant was made possible by our Francis Florio Fund, established in 1974, and our B. Altman Fund, created in 1985.
CHILDREN & TEENS
Interventions give new direction to young people in Westchester
The Center for Justice Innovation, working with New Rochelle City Court Judge Jared Rice, is helping people ages 16 to 24 facing misdemeanor or felony charges. The Opportunity Youth Part program connects participants with job training and placement, behavioral health services, academic support, and mentors. The initiative’s early success at turning around young lives has made it a model for other communities
Our Westchester Community Foundation’s Wallace Fund for Youth supported the program.
Amy Freitag, President
