Our grants help historically marginalized communities to build power, shape development, and win systemic change.

Neighborhoods First Fund makes grants to support community-led planning in New York City, as well as work to develop and advocate for policies to confront displacement, promote community voice and power in development, and hold government accountable for effectively implementing those policies.

58
Unique grantees
173
Total awards
9
Grant periods
32
Returning partners

Criteria

What we fund — and what we don’t

We fund

  • Community-led organizations and coalitions that engage local residents, workers, businesses, institutions, and government in creating and implementing policies and plans that shape NYC neighborhoods.
  • Organizations that support community engagement through technical assistance to grantees — zoning research and analysis, training, facilitation, planning and policy alternatives, and more.

We don’t fund

  • Community-based organizations for work unrelated to land use planning and development in New York City.
  • Research, analysis, or advocacy unrelated to land use and development planning and policy in NYC.
  • Individuals or for-profit entities.

Grantees 2015–2026

Community-led work, funded year after year

Browse the organizations we’ve supported by grant period.

Grantmaking Inquiries

Neighborhoods First Fund maintains multi‑year partnerships with our grantees, which means All funding for 2026 has already been allocated. Because our support typically spans a three‑year cycle, new funding opportunities do not open on a yearly basis.

If you believe your organization closely aligns with the criteria outlined above, you may submit an inquiry via our Contact Us page. Please do not submit a full proposal. We review inquiries that meet our priorities and will respond within 60 days when appropriate.