Strong Communities

Strong Communities Fund

The Strong Communities Fund has been awarding grants on a rolling basis since April 23, 2020 to support Brooklyn community-based organizations, develop civic infrastructure to address community priorities with flexible funds, and amplify community-led voice and impact.

Round 2 of the Strong Communities Fund distributed $1 Million in grants to 14 community-based organizations to increase COVID-19 testing and combat vaccine hesitancy. From January to August of 2022, these organizations increased COVID-19 testing and vaccination in Brooklyn neighborhoods with high transmission and low vaccination.

Download the Round 2 Report

Round 1 of the Strong Communities Fund launched in April 2020 with a $3 million investment to meet immediate needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2020 to 2021, the Strong Communities Fund has provided financial and technical support to 44 projects in health and social services, youth services, digital resources, food security, and census work. Strong Communities Fund positively affected tens of thousands of Brooklyn residents and supported organizations shifting their operations to meet the changing needs of the pandemic.

Download the 2020-2021 Impact Report
Strong Communities Fund Grantees

Anne Kastor Brooklyn Free Clinic$15,187 to support personnel for the free clinic

Arab American Family Support Center: $50,000 for remote services support, mental health clinician overtime, PPE, Emergency Fund, and indirect costs

Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health: $94,842 to provide information on COVID-19 and resource referrals through the Institute’s network of barbers and stylists

Arts East New York, in partnership with WEB Center: $102,100 for virtual summer internships for youth to produce content based on the impact of COVID-19 on their communities

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation: $125,000 to expand economic mobility programs, benefits screenings, financial counseling, job training and placement, emergency cash assistance, digital upskilling, and support local food procurement and distribution

Brooklyn Book Bodega: $10,000 to provide access to free books through community events and literacy-based community programs

Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled: $63,173 to improve the quality of life and foster integration of persons with disabilities

Brooklyn Community Services: $115,000 to support a Mobile Shower Unit, bringing the fundamental right of cleanliness to the homeless, along with outreach services and healthy meals

Brooklyn Perinatal Network and Fort Greene SNAP: $250,000 for personnel expenses, supplies and administrative costs, and a merger between the two organizations

Brooklyn Queens Long Island AHEC: $75,000 for personnel expenses, student stipends, and supplies

CAMBA: $60,500 for 500 cell phone data plans for 3 months, 50 phone cases, and indirect costs

Camp Friendship: $75,600 for produce, storage and digital resources to support food pantry expansion

Center for Community Alternatives: $55,000 to pursue criminal justice reform and engage incarcerated youth

Christopher Rose Community Empowerment Campaign, Inc. (CRCEC): $30,000 for a community health worker to provide comprehensive risk assessment and connections to needed care and services 

Elite Learners: $25,000 for personnel expenses and supplies like telephones and uniforms

Exalt Youth: $50,000 for critical core and alumni youth stipend and equipment necessary to implement/transition to a virtual platform

FAN4Kids: $92,000 for preparation and execution of digital content for students and families

First Tech Fund: $10,000 to assist students of underserved backgrounds through technology and practical skills

Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project$30,000 for additional academic and digital literacy support to Haitian immigrant youth to support remote learning

Foundation for the Advancement and Rehabilitation of the Marginal (FARM): $58,000 for Census outreach in East Brooklyn Communities

GrowHouse International$20,152 for technology supplies for Youth Leadership program

Haitian American Community Coalition: $49,437 for personnel expenses and costs related to virtual resources for clients

Haitian Americans United for Progress, in partnership with Diaspora Community Services$125,000 for case management and legal services, including undocumented individuals

Her Village$40,920 for period supplies and diapers to support expansion to Brooklyn

I AM GYM Foundation Inc.: $121,000 to provide fitness and entrepreneurship workshops for youth

Kings County Tennis League: $25,000 for increase tennis-based programming for NYCHA residents, as well as phone outreach to current program participants to determine needs

Little Essentials: $50,000 for costs related to expansion in Brooklyn as they continue to provide early childhood care supplies for families

Madison Square Boys and Girls Club: $50,075 to support recreational and vocational programs for local youth in under-resourced communities

Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn D.M.A.: $14,000 for costs related to food delivery services

National Association on Drug Abuse Problems, Inc.: $49,163 for case management services and free smart phones and monthly plans for clients

Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic$23,000 for creating a network of black clergy women, who are frontline support to community members during COVID-19 crisis, and a resource guide with different community resources

New Heights Youth Inc.:  $50,000 to provide athletic and academic support to Brooklyn’s at-risk youth.

Qualitas of Life Foundation: $50,000 to provide financial education to Hispanic individuals and their families

Reaching Out Community Services, Inc.$50,000 for food pantry support, education assistance and social services assistance

Red Hook Initiative in partnership with Alex House Project, NYU Langone, Red Hook Justice Center, and Good Shepherd Services$36,000 for mini relief grants for Red Hook residents

Sadie Nash Leadership Project: $54,850 to promote college and career readiness for young women and gender-expansive youth in New York City

Seeds in the Middle Inc.: $35,000 to combat health disparities and obesity in schools

Services for the Underserved, Inc.$125,000 for smartphones, tablets, and data plans for individuals that are served by the organization, PPE, and upgraded HVAC systems and HEPA air filtration

Teens for Food Justice Inc., in partnership with Ace Endico, BMS Family Health and Wellness Centers, Brooklyn Packers, Collective Fare Catering, Grow NYC, and Universe City: $250,000 to supply and distribute boxes of fresh produce and shelf-stable items that can be purchased weekly, using cash, card, or EBT benefits at a discounted rate

The Campaign Against Hunger$125,000 for food distribution, social services assistance, and transportation

United Community Centers: $125,000 to address community challenges

Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls$45,000 to support its arts education curriculum for girls and trans youth in the digital environment

YWCA of Brooklyn: $100,000 to work towards eliminating racism and empowering women