Booth Ferris Foundation: Strengthening NYC Grant Program

Booth Ferris Foundation: Strengthening NYC Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Booth Ferris Foundation
Last Updated: December 19, 2025

Summary

The Booth Ferris Foundation, established in 1957, offers grants through its Strengthening NYC Grant Program. This initiative aims to support organizations that promote equity and build vibrant communities in New York City. Eligible entities must demonstrate a strong track record and focus on capacity building to address systemic inequities. The Foundation provides funding for projects that enhance nonprofit infrastructure and sustainability, helping organizations achieve long-term impact in their communities.

Overview

NOTE: Requests for conversations prior to proposal submission will be considered on a case-by-case basis between October 15 and November 15. Staff will follow-up for additional interviews, as needed, during the proposal review period. The Booth Ferris Foundation was established in 1957 under the wills of Willis H. Booth and his wife, Chancie Ferris Booth. Since that time, over $425 million has been contributed from the Foundation to worthy organizations for a variety of charitable purposes. Funding Interest: Strengthening New York The Foundation supports: Organizations which build the capacity and infrastructure of New York City’s nonprofit sector and work to address issues of systemic inequity. Support is available for an organization’s own capacity building or for its capacity building activities on behalf of the field. Eligible organizations include:Organizations providing capacity building, management or technical assistance to nonprofits in New York CityOrganizations engaged in advocacy or public policy work on behalf of underserved communities in New York City, andOrganizations supporting and working on behalf of membership agencies or a network of nonprofitsOrganizations working directly to build vibrant communities and to promote equity for underserved populations in New York City. Support is available for capacity building. Priority organizations will demonstrate a record of strong outcomes in NYC and/or deep impact in the communities they serve. Capacity-Building Guidelines The Foundation views capacity building as a one-time investment to help an organization increase efficiency and effectiveness. Typically, funds support new expenses, which may become ongoing depending on the project. Requests should cover expenses that an organization would otherwise need to dip into reserve funds or fundraise for. Capacity-building should support the nonprofit’s infrastructure and long-term sustainability, enabling greater performance and impact. Notably, the Foundation does not consider organizational growth or scale a requirement for a successful capacity-building project. The Foundation will consider up to three years of support for competitive projects. Given that our capacity-building grants are short-term, organizations should demonstrate why the project is a priority now, how they are ready to achieve the project’s goals, and what capacity will be built upon successful completion. Strong proposals will clearly articulate intended goals, a process for measuring outcomes, and describe the capacity that will be built. Proposals resulting in new ongoing costs that must be absorbed into an organization’s budget, should indicate how the project will be sustained once Foundation funds expire.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Organizations applying under Arts and Culture, Parks, and Strengthening New York must be located in NYC. Those applying under Higher Education must be based in New York State. National education organizations must have leadership and  a governance structure in New York City demonstrating a major and priority footprint for the organization.Organizations must have maintained an annual operating budget of over $1 million for at least three years, excluding in-kind contributions. If your budget declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact the appropriate program officer for guidance.Organizations must be classified by the Internal Revenue Service as public charities and tax-exempt under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.A minimum of 3 years must elapse between grant awards, including the last year funds were allocated. For example, if an organization received a two-year grants in 2024, they cannot reapply until February 2028.

Ineligibility

No grants are made to individuals or private foundations or for loans.The Foundation generally will not fund:Ongoing general operating support or program costs; projects restricted to an organization’s membership; benefit events, galas or similar fundraising activities; scholarships, fellowships, unrestricted endowments, individual research efforts; grant requests exceeding the organization’s total budget.Organizations whose primary work is conducted outside of the U.S., to individuals, to federated campaigns, or to work with specific diseases.