North Star Fund’s NYC Organizing Grants provide general operating support to organizations engaging in grassroots organizing in New York City. These grants support both new and existing organizations that seek to build collective community power to bring about systemic change. North Star Fund is dedicated to funding organizations that empower communities impacted by injustice to identify systemic problems and take collective action to create transformative solutions. They particularly value organizations whose members and leaders are directly affected by the issues they address.

The fund prioritizes work that identifies the root causes of injustice, targets policymakers or institutional decision-makers, and works through strategies that involve community participation and collective action. Organizations are expected to have a clear vision for systemic change and must actively work to influence public policy or systems through campaigns and organizing efforts. While established groups are expected to meet the full organizing criteria, newer or emerging organizations are evaluated based on their potential and alignment with core organizing principles, such as community-led leadership and engagement.

Funding is limited to organizations and organizing projects with annual budgets under $800,000. This includes stand-alone organizations, projects within larger institutions (such as legal service or direct service providers), or hybrid models where organizing is a significant component of their work. However, organizations that solely provide direct services without a clear pathway into community organizing are not eligible. North Star Fund focuses on small organizations typically underserved by national funding streams.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for Rapid Response grants. For standard NYC Organizing Grants, new applicants may apply between February 19, 2025, and March 31, 2025, with a hard deadline of 9:00 PM on March 31. The review process involves assessment by local experts through a volunteer-led Community Funding Committee. This committee reviews applications, conducts site visits with selected applicants, and determines the final funding decisions. Applicants will be notified about possible site visits approximately one month after the deadline, and grant decisions will be announced around three months after the application deadline.

Support for applicants is available throughout the process. Interested organizations can create an account in the application system, preview questions, and are encouraged to attend a “How to Apply” workshop, especially if they are first-time applicants. Some questions on the application are optional and used for feedback purposes, not assessment. For Spanish-speaking applicants, support is available through Gabriela at 332-240-1683. General inquiries can be directed to grants@northstarfund.org or by calling 212-620-9110. The fund’s main office is located at 520 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10018.