NYU Community Fund

Through generous donations from NYU employees, the Community Fund awards grants from $500 to $2,500 to local nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the neighborhoods surrounding NYU.

Since the Fund’s inception in 1982, over $3.5 million has been raised and distributed through over 1600 grants to hundreds of organizations. In the 2021 - 2022 fundraising year, nearly $80,000 and over 80 grants were distributed to local organizations.

With the University covering all administrative costs, 100% of these donations go directly into the community.

Grant Recipients and Projects

The Community Fund distributes grants to local organizations with missions to improve the community through arts cultural enrichment, at-risk youth services, homelessness and hunger prevention, education and literacy, and low-income health services.

Past grants have provided funding for diverse projects in the NYU community, from therapeutic recreational programs for men and women living with HIV/AIDS to underwriting complimentary tickets for opera and concert performances for seniors, underserved youth, and military families in our community.

Interested community groups are encouraged to apply for a grant.

Three men find camaraderie and friendship while finding their home, with BRC.

The investment that the NYU Community Fund makes to our volunteer program leverages thousands of individuals who volunteer with BRC every year. We like to say that we’re breaking the cycle of homelessness in New York City. That depends on the willingness of all of us be part of the solution, and work together to make things happen. That’s what your gifts to BRC make possible.

— Muzzy Rosenblatt, Executive Director, Bowery Residents’ Committee

Additional Awards

Awarded and distributed along with the Community Fund grants, the T.G. White Awards and the Thom A. Fluellen Award provide additional support to local organizations.

T.G. White Awards

The T.G. White Fund was established by long-time Greenwich Village resident Theodore Greeley White. At his death in 1913, he bequeathed his estate to New York University for the support of charitable Greenwich Village organizations which aid young people. The NYU Office of Community Engagement administers the estate and grants funds annually to such organizations as part of the NYU Combined Campaign.

The Thom A. Fluellen Award

The Thom A. Fluellen Award was established to honor the late Staff Director of Community & Government Relations and his tireless efforts for his community. Every year the Community Fund grant selection committee awards one outstanding organization that demonstrates the excellence that Thom made evident in his work, life, and commitment to New York University with a grant of $5,000.