The borough's 'backbone': Brooklyn Org awards more than $1.5M to 15 community nonprofits * Brooklyn Paper

Brooklyn Org announced 15 nonprofit recipients for its 2026 Spring grants. Each organization can receive up to $45,000 annually for as many as three years, with total funding exceeding $1.5 million. Grants are distributed in spring and fall and support community-led solutions that strengthen neighborhood stability, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for Brooklynites. Brooklyn Org launched the “Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn” campaign to increase grantmaking in fiscal year 2026 by 25% in response to growing impacts of federal policy changes. The recipients address affordable housing, public health, immigrant justice, youth development, violence prevention, environmental justice, transportation equity, arts and culture, and support for older Brooklynites. Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health advances health equity through community education, research, and workforce training, including a barbershop and salon program that connects residents to trusted health information and pathways into health care.

"Brooklyn's champion for nonprofits, Brooklyn Org, last week announced the 15 recipients of its 2026 Spring grants. Selected by a committee of fellow Brooklynites, the organizations will receive up to $45,000 annually for as many as three years, totaling more than $1.5 million. The investments, which are also distributed in the fall, advance Brooklyn Org's commitment to supporting community-led solutions that strengthen neighborhood stability, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for Brooklynites."

"Last July, Brooklyn Org launched its “Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn” campaign to increase grantmaking in fiscal year 2026 by 25% in response to the growing impacts of federal policy changes. Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, president and CEO of Brooklyn Org, said the organizations reflect the strength, creativity and resilience of Brooklyn communities and that the foundation is proud to support leaders advancing justice, care and opportunity across the borough."

"“Brooklyn's nonprofits continue to serve as the backbone of our borough,” Dr. Rainey said. “They meet urgent needs, build community power, and create pathways to opportunity even as many face rising demand and shrinking resources.” The recipients work across a wide range of issue areas, including affordable housing, public health, immigrant justice, youth development, violence prevention, environmental justice, transportation equity, arts and culture, and support for older Brooklynites seeking to remain healthy, housed, connected and engaged in their communities."

"Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health : Founded by professional tennis player Arthur Ashe two months before his death in 1993, the organization advances health equity in Brooklyn through community education, research and workforce training. Its initiatives include a barbershop and salon program that connects residents to trusted health information while building pathways into health care"

Read at Brooklyn Paper